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In 1986, the International Four Freedoms Award was presented to former president of Italy Alessandro Pertini. Because his health was not good enough, Pertini could not receive the award himself. Therefore, Ambassador of the Italian Republic in The Hague Ludovii Carducci accepted the award on behalf of Pertini. The ambassador read out a message from Pertini: "I have no special merits, but I have only done my duty as a human being. That is, a lifelong struggle for the fulfilment of the four freedoms."

Pertini received the award for his determination in the field of human dignity and improving harmony between peoples. In short, because he was a "beloved world citizen".

More about Pertini

Alessandro Pertini was born in 1896 in Italy. Despite his aversion to Italy's participation in World War I, Pertini became involved in the fighting as a young lieutenant. After the armistice, he joined the Socialist Party (PSU). Pertini joined the active resistance against the rise of Mussolini's fascism. In 1924, he was exiled to Corsica. When he returned to Italy, Pertini was arrested and sentenced to 12 years in prison. For years he was imprisoned on the island of Ponza. In 1943, Pertini was released, but the Nazi occupiers soon caught him and sentenced him to death. Again, people from the resistance freed him. After World War II, Pertini became a member of parliament. In 1968, he became president of the House of Representatives and in 1978 he became president of Italy.

As a politician, Pertini proved that you can look for a solution on which both sides agree. He made it clear that he disagreed with corruption in his country. Pertini also wanted nothing to do with the colonialism and imperialism that briefly characterised Italy's history. Alessandro Pertini restored democracy to Italy. He did so by giving new and social meaning to the presidency. He died in 1990.