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The North-South Prize of the Council of Europe is awarded annually since 1995 to two nominees, selected from a combination of the categories Global, North and South, whether grass root activists, personalities and organisations or institutions who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to promoting North-South solidarity.

The Prize rewards their commitment to the defence and promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law as well as to the development of intercultural dialogue and the reinforcement of the North-South partnership and solidarity, in conformity with the principles and priorities of the Council of Europe.

 Regulations

31 Years of international recognition

62 Laureates honoured

32 Countries represented

50 % Gender balanced

31st Laureates of the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe
Mr Bragi Guðbrandsson

Mr Bragi Guðbrandsson

Icelandic expert in children’s rights
Mr Bragi Guðbrandsson

Mr Bragi Guðbrandsson is a distinguished children’s rights defender whose work has advanced child protection across Europe and beyond. He is widely recognised for pioneering the Barnahus (Children’s House) model and for his leadership in international human rights advocacy and monitoring. His contributions have strengthened multidisciplinary, child-friendly justice responses to violence and sexual abuse and helped shape international child protection standards through his work with the Council of Europe and the United Nations.

Mr Rami Abou Jamous

Mr Rami Abou Jamous

Palestinian journalist
Mr Rami Abou Jamous

Mr Rami Abou Jamous, a renowned war correspondent whose independent reporting has brought first-hand accounts of life under conflict to global audiences, is awarded the prize in recognition of his exceptional contribution to raising awareness and fostering understanding across regions, as well as the perilous conditions faced by journalists in Gaza today.

 

About the Ceremony

video interviews of the laureates
Highlights of the 31st ceremony
pictures of the 31st Ceremony


 

Jury

The Jury is presided by the President of the North-South Centre Executive Committee and is made up of members of the Bureau and a representative of the North-South Centre‘s host country, if the country’s representative is not a Bureau member.

Nomination Process

1. Call for nominations: The call opens during the first half of the year until 15 September. Nominations are open to anyone through an online form available in English and French. 

2. Jury selection: In October, the Jury evaluates all eligible nominations, selecting two nominees through voting process.

3. Confirmation of the selection: A letter is sent to the selected nominees to inform them about their nomination as Laureate. Their nomination is official once they have accepted the Prize.

4. Award Ceremony: The Ceremony is held in the first half of the following year in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Former Laureate's Speech excerpts

"In this world more divided and polarised than ever, between the Global South and the Global North, initiatives like the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe must serve as an example. Armed with the conviction that we are all equal, it is incumbent upon us to remind those who may have forgotten that Life is the most precious thing."

Amina Bouayach, Laureate of the 29th North-South Prize of the Council of Europe 

 

"Thanks to this Award, which I repeat is not a Prize to me but to the many who have shared and share this path, the journey of Palermo and of many other cities becomes even stronger, having once again in the Council of Europe a cultural and material lighthouse and a reference point."

Leoluca Orlando, Laureate of the 24th North-South Prize of the Council of Europe

 

"This Prize has particular meaning because of those who organise it - the men and women of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, who contribute so much to advancing democratic citizenship in our world. The Aga Khan Development Network has been proud to join with the Centre in distinguished projects such as the annual Lisbon Forum held at the Ismaili Centre."

His Highness the Aga Khan, Laureate of the 18th North-South Prize of the Council of Europe 

 

 

"First of all I would like to thank the North‐South Centre for this award which they have graciously given me and I thankfully acknowledge this honour on behalf of all the activists of Pakistan (…) I would like to also express here my support for the Istanbul Convention on violence against women of the Council of Europe."

Asma Jahangir, Laureate of the 17th North-South Prize of the Council of Europe 

 

The North-South Prize Over the Years