Africa/Global: Nominations invited for Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights award

The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights is inviting submissions for nominations for the 2004 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. The RFK Human Rights Award was established in 1984 to honor creative individuals who are engaged in strategic and nonviolent efforts to overcome serious human rights violations, often at great personal risk.
The RFK Award and the Center for Human Rights have augmented change in South Africa, Poland, Malawi, El Salvador, and South Korea through the proactive support of courageous and visionary individuals. RFK Laureates continue to struggle against great odds in Haiti, Brazil, India, Colombia, Vietnam, Kenya, Indonesia, and elsewhere. Since its inception, this award has been presented to 34 extraordinary individuals from 20 countries. Last year, three members of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers became the first U.S-based human rights workers to receive the award.
Recently, the Center has inaugurated a more integrated approach to our advocacy efforts. We seek to broaden the general public's understanding and perception of human rights as including economic, social, and cultural rights, rather than just political and civil rights. To that end, we welcome nominees who have committed themselves to insuring that the right, for example, to basic health care and education are respected as part of the spectrum of universal human rights.
We ask you today to consider nominating individuals whom you feel embody the characteristics of a human rights hero, someone strategically struggling to improve human rights. As you are familiar with the field of socio-economic rights and community development, we at the RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights feel you are in a good position to suggest worthy nominees.
Please submit your nominations for the 2004 RFK Human Rights Award by April 15, 2004. There are no geographical or thematic restrictions and no limit to the number of nominations you may submit. If you know of other organizations and/or individuals you feel are in a strong position to make nominations, please let us know so that we may contact them directly. Please return the enclosed nomination form (also available at www.rfkmemorial.org ) along with any supplementary documentation, no later than April 15, 2004. Nominations should be addressed to the attention of "Award Nomination." We prefer to accept nominations via email ([email protected] ) or fax (+1-202-463-6606). The Center will contact you for additional information if your nominee is selected as a finalist.
Enclosed, please find the 2004 nomination form. A list of past RFK Human Rights Award Laureates and nomination guidelines can be found on our website. We look forward to receiving your nomination(s) and any suggestions or comments you may have. Please contact Amanda Shanor (+1-202- 463-7575, ext. 224 or [email protected] with any questions you may have regarding the nomination process.