The 2001 Award
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Peter and Linda Biehl of the Amy Biehl Foundation in South Africa received NDI's 14th Annual W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award at a Washington, D.C. dinner on November 28. Annan received the NDI Award two weeks before he and the United Nations are to be presented with the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway.
In announcing the decision to honor Secretary-General Annan, taken by the NDI Board of Directors at its September 19 meeting, NDI cited his global leadership in advancing peace, democratic governance, the rule of law and human rights. With this award, NDI recognizes the importance of efforts to promote democratic institutions and values as both ends in themselves, and as a means to dealing with the breeding grounds of political extremism, conflict, disease and environmental degradation.
"Like no other United Nations leader before him, Secretary-General Annan has committed the world body to universal values of democracy and human rights," said NDI Chairman and former U.S. Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, who also served as U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. "He has consistently and forcefully spoken out in support of political systems that give citizens a genuine stake in their society and has dedicated U.N. resources to this goal."
Kofi Annan, a Ghanaian national, was appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1997. He is the first Secretary-General to come from within the organization, having served in the areas of refugee assistance, budget, personnel and peacekeeping. He was reappointed to his second term of office by unanimous vote of the General Assembly. His wife, Nane Annan, a Swedish artist and lawyer, will accompany him to the award dinner. She is the niece of Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who helped thousands of Hungarian Jews escape from the Nazis during World War II.
Peter and Linda Biehl were honored for their efforts on behalf of their daughter, Amy, a former NDI staff member who was killed in South Africa while working for reconciliation there. The Biehls have advanced their daughter's legacy through the Amy Biehl Foundation (http://www.amybiehl.org/), which provides educational opportunity, health training and entrepreneurial and leadership skills to residents in townships throughout South Africa.
"The programs of the Amy Biehl Foundation embody Amy's own commitment to a democratic, multi-racial society," said Albright. "Through the Foundation, the Biehls have resolved to build a constructive legacy from personal despair and to remember Amy through human service."
"The tragedy of September 11 was a vivid reminder of the vulnerability inherent in a free society," said NDI President, Kenneth Wollack. "The international community must act forcefully to overcome the immediate threat of terrorism and, at the same time, recognize that democracies provide a long-term deterrent to political extremism and conflict."
Established to honor the late diplomat and politician Averell Harriman, NDI's award recognizes individuals who exemplify the Institute's commitment to democracy and human rights.
Congressional Host Committee
The Honorable Tom Daschle and The Honorable Richard A. Gephardt served as Congressional co-chairs for the award dinner and were joined by an additional 177 Members of Congress in honoring Kofi Annan and the Biehls. View a complete list of the Congressional Host Committee (in PDF format).
Invitation
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Contact Information
For more information about making a contribution to NDI, please contact Deborah Ullmer, 202-728-5524, Send Email
Members of the media, please contact Jean Freedberg, 202-728-5527, Send Email
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