“Ukrainian PEN, Lviv Media Forum and “Rubrika” media received the “Courage for Democracy” award at the 12th Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in Johannesburg (South Africa). This is reported by PEN Ukraine. With this award, the organizers recognized “the courageous activity of Ukrainian civil society during the war, in particular, documenting Russia’s war crimes against Ukraine, promoting democratic reforms, providing”, — write on: ua.news
Ukrainian PEN, Lviv Media Forum and “Rubrika” media received the “Courage for Democracy” award at the 12th Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in Johannesburg (South Africa).
This is reported by PEN Ukraine.
With this award, the organizers recognized “the courageous activity of Ukrainian civil society during the war, in particular documenting Russia’s war crimes against Ukraine, promoting democratic reforms, providing humanitarian aid, promoting awareness and involvement of Ukrainians.”
The executive director of the Ukrainian PEN Tetyana Teren, the head of the Lviv Media Forum Olha Myrovych and the editor-in-chief of Rubryka Anastasia Rudenko received the award.
“Ukrainians united to resist Russian aggression, reject autocracy and defend democratic principles and values to determine their own path. Ukrainian civil society – whose democratic development has significantly increased since independence – has demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment, found new values and meaning in its mission during the war. Public initiatives, independent media, business associations, trade unions, political activists have strengthened and expanded their activities throughout the country,” noted the organizers of the World Movement for Democracy forum.
The Democracy Courage Tribute is awarded every two years.
This year, the Global Assembly, which was held for the twelfth time, was attended by about 600 participants from over 100 countries.
“It is a great honor for me, for our team, for the entire Ukrainian PEN community – to receive this award in the presence of so many brilliant leaders from around the world, devoted to the values of democracy. However, I must point out that most of our cultural and human rights projects and campaigns from 2022 are in one way or another connected with the legacy of our colleagues and friends whose lives were taken by hosia. This is a work with memory, pain and great love. I want to dedicate this award to Ukrainian journalists, writers, artists who should create a new Ukrainian culture, develop independent media and build our democratic country after a long history of repression. However, their lives were taken by Russia, the same country that has been trying to erase our culture and identity for centuries,” said Teren.
“This is not a local war. We are fighting against an aggressor who seeks to rewrite the rules of the world, to destroy an order based on respect for human rights, freedom and sovereignty. This is a war that determines not only the future of Ukraine, but also the entire democratic world. This award is a tribute to the stability and strength of Ukrainian society. Our resilience is born of hope. But this is not a passive hope waiting for something to happen. No, it is hope as action, hope that makes us stand against the aggressor and defend our values. It is about our people, but also about global humanity. It is about every person on earth who hopes for a better future. I want to thank everyone who understands this and stands with us, just as we stand with you. Ukraine and democracy will win,” Rudenko emphasized.
“The truth is that peace is possible only as a victory over evil, not as a series of compromises with it. Otherwise, we would not live in peace, but rest in it. We accept this award on behalf of the civil society of Ukraine — those who protect rights, volunteer, fight, and those whom we have lost. Your solidarity reminds us that we are not alone. Together, we will prove that democracy and dignity are worth all the efforts,” Mirovych said.
World Movement for Democracy (World Movement for Democracy) is an international network that unites people and organizations from all over the world, whose daily work consists in defending democratic values, building and strengthening democratic institutions in their countries. The World Movement for Democracy Forum was launched in February 1999 by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and civil society organizations in India, gathering activists and scholars from more than 80 countries in New Delhi to discuss ways to strengthen democracy in the world.
The Democracy Courage Tribute was first awarded in 2000 at the 2nd Global Assembly. In 2006, Mustafa Dzhemilev received the award on behalf of the Crimean Tatars and the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded 48 defenders of Ukraine with state awards on Tank Troops Day.
During the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded her with the Order of Yaroslav the Wise “For Merit”.
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