Laureates since 1982

MARTTI AHTISAARI

International Four Freedoms Award

Born in 1937 in Viipuri, Finland. After his studies he became the youngest Finnish ambassador to Tanzania and other East-African countries and supervised the independence of Namibia as UN Commissioner. In 1994 he was the first directly elected President of Finland and mediated in the Balkan wars. For his great services in protecting the rights of people in countries tormented by civil war and his commitment to international cooperation.

BRONISLAW GEREMEK

Freedom of Speech and Expression Award

Born in 1932 in Warsaw, Poland. A noted historian, he became involved in the Polish dissident movement and supported the free union of Solidarity. He was imprisoned several times. He contributed to the design for a democratic Poland and in 1997 became his country's Minister of Foreign Affairs. For his important role in advancing the freedom of expression and political liberties in Poland.

DAME CICELY SAUNDERS

Freedom of Worship Award

Born in 1918. She founded St. Christopher’s Hospice after she encountered in her medical practice the need for consolation and the alleviation of pain of the terminally ill. She greatly advanced the attention for the physical, emotional, and spiritual care of the dying. For her great compassion of people at the end of their lives and her stimulating force to research the physical and spiritual needs of patients.

MONKOMBU S. SWAMINATHAN

Freedom from Want Award

Born in 1925 in Tamil Nadu, India. He became the father of the Green Revolution in India. Appling his education to greatly improve the food production in his country, from which the poor benefitted, he continued this campaign for a sustainable agricultural development in other parts of the world. For his extraordinary contribution to feed the hungry and his moral and practical leadership in the green revolution.

LOUISE ARBOUR

Freedom from Fear Award

Born in 1947 in Montreal, Canada, where she took her law degrees and worked for various courts. From 1996 she acted as chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda in The Hague. For her relentless pursuit of war criminals to ensure the protection of human rights and chances for enduring peace.