Roosevelt Foundation names Religions for Peace 2020 Freedom of Worship Award Laureate
February 5, 2020
The Roosevelt Foundation has announced its decision to recognize and honor Religions for Peace (RfP) as the laureate for the 2020 Freedom of Worship Award. The Four Freedoms Awards are presented each year to organizations, men and women whose achievements have demonstrated a commitment to those principles which United States President Roosevelt proclaimed in his historic speech in 1941 as essential to democracy: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
The Roosevelt Foundation has awarded the Freedoms Medals to some of the most distinguished individuals and organizations in modern history, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, Malala Yousafzai, HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, His All Holiness Archbishop Bartholomew I, H.E. Kofi Annan, Nelson Mandela and The Most Rev. Desmond Tutu, among others.
RfP will be honored alongside the United Nations (International Four Freedoms Award), Maria Ressa (Freedom of Speech Award), Sander de Kramer (Freedom from Want Award) and Leoluca Orlando (Freedom from Fear Award).
The award for the Freedom of Worship goes to Religions for Peace International for the alliance’s determined commitment to promote peace and to speak up for those most in need. Religions for Peace is devoted to build bridges between religious communities in order to increase mutual trust and reduce hostility in areas of conflict and to offer a platform for common action. The alliance respects and honors religious differences and works to advance interreligious dialogue and consensus.
Religions for Peace has proven to be a peacemaker for almost 50 years and the world’s religious communities effectively cooperate for peace through its global network. The alliance resists and opposes the misuse and misperception of our faiths that fuel violence and hate. Their continued efforts to counter those misperceptions, prejudices and distrust between peoples are an example to us all.
Prof. Dr. Azza Karam, Secretary General, will receive the award on behalf of Religions for Peace. Azza Karam is a Professor of Religion and Development at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and has, amongst others, served in different positions in the United Nations since 2004.
The Four Freedoms Awards ceremony will take place on 14 April 2020 in Middelburg, Netherlands.
We invite you to learn more about the award and 2020 laureates here.