Author(s):
Chayer Amelie <amelie@icbl.org> .
Wednesday 16 March 2011
Judy M. Miller, Jean-Baptiste Richardier, Princess Aga Khan and landmine survivor Mom Sok. Photo: Eric Roset / Handicap International
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation announced on 15 March 2011 that ICBL member Handicap International will receive the 2011 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize of US$1.5 million. A co-founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines in the early nineties, Handicap International is the world's largest non-governmental organization providing assistance and advocacy for people with disabilities. The organization's services range from clearing landmines to providing artificial limbs, psychological and economic support and training of local staff.
"Receiving the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize is a great honor and underscores our collective responsibility to serve the world's most marginalized and vulnerable people," said Dr. Jean-Baptiste Richardier, CEO of Handicap International and one of the original founders along with Claude Simonnot who retired from the NGO in 2004. "We will, from now on, be in a much stronger position to convince donors to include the most vulnerable from the onset of an emergency and to ensure that long-term inclusive development for all becomes the norm rather than the exception."
The Hilton Foundation presents the annual award, the world's largest humanitarian prize, to an organization that is doing extraordinary work to alleviate human suffering. Handicap International was selected for the 2011 Prize by a prestigious independent international jury. Judy M. Miller, Vice President of the Hilton Foundation and Director of the Hilton Prize, and Princess Salimah Aga Khan, a member of the Hilton Prize jury, announced the winner at a reception for international diplomats, humanitarian leaders and government officials in Geneva, Switzerland.
"Those who have been disabled are the most vulnerable in societies and Handicap International has transformed the way the world deals with this overlooked and underserved group," said Judy M. Miller in a press release issued by the Hilton Foundation.
The official 2011 Prize Award Ceremony will take place during the Global Philanthropy Forum in Redwood City, California, on 13 April 2011.
More information:
Handicap International's press release // Communiqué de presse Handicap International // Hilton Foundation's press release
About Handicap International
Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Handicap International works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. www.handicap-international.org
About the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by international business pioneer Conrad N. Hilton, who founded Hilton Hotels and left his fortune to help the world's disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Following selection by an independent international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $1.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to a nonprofit organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. www.hiltonfoundation.org
