In 1995, IRI established the Freedom Award to honor individuals who have worked to advance freedom and democracy. The contribution of these individuals to further democracy and freedom has given hope to millions of people and has helped improve the lives of people around the globe.

Over the years honorees have included luminaries such as President Ronald Reagan; President George W. Bush; Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Laureate and Burmese democracy leader; First Lady Laura Bush; U.S. Senator Robert Dole; Secretary of State Colin Powell; and Natan Sharansky, former political prisoner and human rights activist. Posthumous awards have also been given to Pope John Paul II and The Honorable Sergio Vieira de Mello, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Highlights

IRI Honors Former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger with Freedom Award
10/09/2009

IRI Honors Elías Antonio Saca González, President of El Salvador with Freedom Award
11/29/2007

IRI Honors Mrs. Laura Bush and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
09/22/2006

President Bush and Pope John Paul II Receive IRI Freedom Award
05/19/2005

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