Human Rights Advocacy
“We all struggle to transcend the cruelties and the follies of mankind. That struggle will not be won by standing aloof and pointing a finger; it will be won by action, by men who commit their every resource of mind and body to the education and improvement and help of their fellow man.”
–Robert F. Kennedy, 1966 South Africa
The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights (RFK Center) engages in long-term partnerships with human rights activists to initiate and support sustainable social justice movements. RFK Center utilizes a professional human rights staff, the Kennedy family, and their networks to realize the change our partner activists seek; these include over coming unjust social norms, changing policies and actions of governments, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions (IFIs), and corporations. RFK Center works under the direction of partners on the ground, former winners of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, using innovative tools to achieve sustainable social change, including litigation, technical initiatives, advocating with governments, UN and other international entities and NGOs, and launching consumer awareness campaigns aimed at fostering corporate responsibility.
Human Rights Award:
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was established in 1984 by his eldest child, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, to honor courageous and innovative individuals striving for social justice throughout the world. Each year, the Memorial awards an individual whose courageous activism is at the heart of the human rights movement and in the spirit of Robert F. Kennedy’s vision and legacy. The Human Rights Award winners or "Laureates" have made significant contributions to their countries through years of dedicated work. There have been 36 Laureates from 21 countries to date. Laureates are choosen through an exhaustive annual nomination and selection process with nominations submitted from all over the world. The Memorial offers not only a monetary contribution to their cause, but a partnership, through RFK Center, in the fight against human rights violations.
The nomination deadline for the 2008 Human Rights Award has ended.
For more information please contact Fernanda Katz Ellenberg at nominations@rfkmemorial.org.
Most Recent Laureates:
 Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdallah (2007, Sudan)
Striving for the fundamental human rights of civilians in Darfur.
 Sonia Pierre (2006, Dominican Republic)
Striving for the recognition of the right to a name and nationality for Dominicans of Haitian descent and the fundamental human rights of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic.
 Stephen Bradberry (2005, USA)
Striving for full political participation of the working poor in New Orleans in the government decisions that effect them.
 Delphine Djiraibe (2004, Chad)
Advocating for social, economic, and environmental rights in Chad and for World Bank accountability and corporate responsibility in the disbursement of oil revenues.
 Coalition of Immokalee Workers (2003, USA)
Ending modern-day slavery and the exploitation of migrant workers in the U.S. agricultural industry.
 Loune Viaud (2002, Haiti)
Realizing the human right to health for all Haitians.
• View the Complete List of our Laureates
• Learn More About Our Current Projects with Laureates
• Speak Truth to Power- Join the Global Fight for Human Rights
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