The Foreign Ministry announces the second edition of the ‘CIDU Human Rights Award’, destined every year to individuals and organisations that have particularly distinguished themselves in promoting human rights in Italy.
As has often been stressed by Foreign Minister Di Maio, this initiative reaffirms the centrality of the protection and promotion of Human Rights as the directing principle of Italian foreign policy.
As for the first edition in 2020, the assignments were approved by a Committee of Honour, chaired by the Undersecretary of State Benedetto Della Vedova and this year, again, it consists of a plurality of representatives of the institutions, the academic world, and civil society, with the ability to express a range of sensibilities and experiences in relation to Human Rights.
As Undersecretary Della Vedova said: ‘I am pleased to support this important initiative of the Interministerial Committee for Human Rights (CIDU), which highlights the various aspects concerning the protection and promotion of human rights in our country. With this Award we intend to enhance the commitment of individual citizens and associations by amplifying their moral value, particularly for the new generations. No society, not even ours, is safe from various forms of intolerance and discrimination, old and new. Human rights are a process and, as such, they must be continuously supported and defended. That is what the Award is also about: it is a contribution to strengthening the culture of human rights in our country ‘.
In line with the role of the Interministerial Committee for Human Rights (CIDU), which is based at the Foreign Ministry and promotes the application of international treaties on human rights at the national and international level, this Award is characterised by a pluralist approach that underlines the variety of themes and interventions that concern the promotion and protection of these values.
In particular, for this second 2021 edition, the members of the Honorary Committee have defined the following assignments:
Representing the Institutions, it was decided to reward the National Healthcare System, in consideration of the outstanding commitment it showed to protect the right to health, following the Covid-19 emergency.
Among the Associations, the ‘Scie di Passione‘ association was chosen, in the light of its considerable and innovative initiatives in favour of people with disabilities.
With regard to the four Personal Awards (with profiles of different kinds and / or generations), the choice fell on:
- Djana Pavlovic, for her exemplary activism in the field of social integration;
- Father Palmiro Prisutto, for his tenacious commitment to environmental protection;
- Pietro Turano (born in 1996), for his activism for the rights of LGTBQ people;
- Federica Gasbarro (born in 1995), for her commitment to issues related to climate change;
For the category dedicated to the freedom of the press and information, the Prize was awarded to:
Dr. Luisa Betti Dakli, for her high and constant journalistic commitment on the subject of human rights, with particular reference to violations and discrimination against women and minors.
Finally, for the 2021 edition a Memorial Award was added, which is dedicated this year to Maria Immacolata Macioti, in consideration of her historic contribution in the field of women’s rights.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome on Friday 10 December, coinciding with the celebrations of the World Human Rights Day, and will feature the winners of both editions (2020 and 2021).
Read the press release on the 2020 CIDU Prize: CIDU Prize for Human Rights 2020 (Esteri.it)
