War Child dedicates freedom prize to young generation victims of war

“Children should be the first to benefit from the right to Freedom from Fear,.. A new new world cannot come into being in a culture of war. Fear creates hate, as history teaches us, again and again. If we refuse to learn from history, the millions of children growing up in oppression now might become the oppressors of the future. I would like to dedicate this award to all those young people, often burdened with their own memories of war, who work relentlessly to address the horrors of war inflicted on innocent children”. These were the words War Child Holland director Willemijn Verloop spoke at her acceptance speech at the Four Freedoms Award ceremony in Middelburg. 

On the 24th of May 2008 the founder of War Child Netherlands, Willemijn Verloop, received the Award for Freedom from Fear on behalf of War Child, out of the hands of the great-granddaughter of President Roosevelt. This is one of the Four Freedoms which President Roosevelt first declared on January 6th 1941 in an address to the American Congress.

The Freedom from Fear Award is awarded to War Child Netherlands for “its indispensable assistance to children in war zones to help them create a peaceful future, and as a recognition of the important work carried out by the many volunteers who invest their time and resources for this noble cause”.

These ceremonies remind us that social engagement and personal efforts are powerful and especially peaceful instruments in the protection of these freedoms.

“Today, with this very prestigious Award, the Roosevelt Foundation honors all the people who work relentlessly to address the horrors of war inflicted on innocent children. You honor the many local War Child employees working in conflict areas worldwide. You honor all those individuals who, often burdened with their own memories of war, dedicate their lives to promoting peace. I am most grateful to you for this encouraging acknowledgement.

Jacky, Miro, Rosa and those like them are the young leaders in this peace race. This Freedom from Fear Award is really theirs. These young people show us that peace grows where fear is replaced with courage and hope. It is their dedication that inspires us at War Child to assist in building peace, wherever we can. We must not disappoint these inspiring young people. Together, we are building a culture of peace. We ask all of you to join us in this peace race.”

The international Four Freedoms Award 2008

• The International Four Freedoms Award is awarded to Richard von Weizsäcker for his dedication to democracy and freedom, for helping to fathom the sufferings caused by the Nazi regime and for his accomplishments in encouraging future generations to create opportunities for international peace and justice.
   
• The Freedom of Speech and Expression Award is awarded to Lakhdar Brahimi to honor his dedication to the independence of Algeria, and for his courageous support for international cooperation, democracy, peace and freedom throughout the world.
   
• The Freedom of Worship Award is awarded to Karen Armstrong for her personal dedication to the ideal that peace can be found in religious understanding, for her teachings on compassion, and her appreciation for the positive sources of spirituality.
   
• The Freedom from Want Award is awarded to Jan Egeland in honor of his extraordinary efforts to create a more humane world for the afflicted, suffering and displaced people, and for his contribution towards improving the living conditions of millions of people.
   
• The Freedom from Fear Award is awarded to War Child Netherlands for its indispensable assistance to children in war zones to help them create a peaceful future, and as a recognition of the important work carried out by the many volunteers who invest their time and resources for this noble cause.

External link: www.fourfreedoms.nl


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