The 2016 ICIP Peace in Progress Award recognizes the non-governmental organization Peace Brigades International (PBI) “for its long history of protecting human rights defenders who work in areas of repression and conflict”.
Peace Brigades International was created in 1981 by a group of activists inspired by Gandhi’s nonviolent tactics. They were convinced that international accompaniment could deter attacks against the civilian population in conflict areas. Over the last 35 years, the organization has developed activities to support local human rights defenders, including protection and accompaniment, safety training, advocacy workshops and workshops on rebuilding social fabric.
The award ceremony took place on Tuesday, February 7, at the Parliament of Catalonia. On the part of the award-winning organization, the representative of PBI Spain, Montserrat García, picked up the award, while the commentary was given by the historic human rights activist and current Member of Congress in Guatemala, Nineth Montenegro.
The ICIP Peace in Progress Award is granted by agreement of the Governing Board of ICIP and consists of public recognition, a sculpture created by the Nobel Peace Prize winner, artist and activist Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, called Porta del Sol, and a financial prize of 4,000 euros. The award is presented at an institutional award ceremony which takes place annually at the Catalan Parliament.
