The International Simón Bolívar Prize serves to recognise activities of outstanding merit that, in accordance with the ideals of Latin American independence hero Simón Bolívar, "contribute to the freedom, independence and dignity of peoples and to the strengthening of a new international economic, social and cultural order".[1]
| International Simón Bolívar Prize | |
|---|---|
| Sponsored by | Government of Venezuela |
| Date | 1983 |
| Presented by | UNESCO |
| Reward(s) | US$ 25,000 |
| Website | Official website |
The Prize is awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) every second year, on 24 July (the anniversary of Bolívar's birth). In addition to the intrinsic distinction bestowed on recipients, the award comes with a sum of money (currently USD $25,000), determined and donated by the government of Venezuela.
Prize winners are selected by the unanimous decision a jury of seven "eminent persons" – five representing the regions of the world, one chosen by the Venezuelan authorities, and a representative of the director-general – from a list of candidates submitted by UNESCO member states and associate members. Both individuals and institutions are eligible as candidates.
Laureates
The following persons and organisations have been recognised by the International Simón Bolívar Prize since the scheme's inception in 1983:[2]
| Year | Recipient | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Juan Carlos I of Spain Nelson Mandela |  Spain  South Africa |
| 1985 | Contadora Group |  Colombia  Mexico  Panama  Venezuela |
| 1988 | Vicariate of Solidarity |  Chile |
| 1990 | Václav Havel |  Czechoslovakia |
| 1992 | Aung San Suu Kyi Julius Nyerere |  Burma  Tanzania |
| 1996 | Muhammad Yunus |  Bangladesh |
| 1998 | Mário Soares Milad Hanna |  Portugal  Egypt |
| 2000 | Samuel Ruiz García Julio Sanguinetti | Mexico  Uruguay |
| 2004 | Nadia Al-Jurdi Nouaihed Casa de las Américas |  Lebanon  Cuba |