News

In 1983 Lech Walesa was awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize which was very significant support of international public opinion for the Solidarity Movement. This extremely important event was a part of Polish way to freedom and independence. The Nobel Peace Prize stood for victory over communism and battle against totalitarian regime. The Prize gave hope to Poles who found themselves defatted by implementation of the Martial Law in Poland on December 13th 1983. The Ceremony in Oslo of awarding Lech Walesa with the Nobel Peace Prize had also symbolic meaning - the speech read by Mrs. Danuta Walesa, who represented her husband, who stayed in Poland, let the Poles believe that the Polish Nation is not forgotten and alone in their struggle and that the world public opinion is not unresponsive to entreaty of Poles.

Having this significance of the Nobel Peace Prize for Poles at the time of struggle in mind, Lech Walesa decided to establish his own Prize, which would be a tribute to honor people who stand for understanding and international cooperation in solidarity, freedom and for promotion of the fundamental values of Solidarity Movement. This Prize is symbolic support for those, who are courageous enough to fight for non-violent world development, stand against terrorism and thru their own actions give hope and open the possibilities of political and social change. The Lech Walesa Prize shows solidarity with those who struggle for better tomorrow for their countrymen and the world society.

1. The Lech Walesa Prize is established on behalf of President Lech Walesa by Lech Walesa Institute Foundation. The only partner of the Foundation in this project is Bank PEKAO SA
2. Lech Walesa Institute Foundation will open a separate bank account for the funds raised for the annual Prize awarding.
3. The Prize is given in Poland.
4. The Prize is given annually beginning in 2008.
5. The Prize can be given to a person, institution or social movement that works for solidarity, freedom and democracy and which:
   
   • Actively works for human and citizens rights.
   • Characterizes with openness and tolerance towards others
   • Promotes the idea of global cooperation based on universal values and respect to other people.
   • Inspire others to act accordingly the above rules.
6. The Prize contains of diploma, plaque and financial award, in 2008 in the amount of 100 000 EUR to support the activities of a Laureate. Since 2009 the decision on the amount of the financial award will be made by the Board of Directors of the Foundation, no later than on March 31st of each year.
7. The Prize shall be given to one or more Laureates. In case of awarding more than one person the financial award will be equally divided between the Laureates.
8. The prize is given in Polish Currency in accordance with the rate of the Polish currency in Polish National Bank the day before awarding.
9. The Prize can be awarded only once in the lifetime of a person of institution.
10. The Prize is awarded by the Jury consisting of:
    • President Lech Walesa, former President of Poland (Chairman)
    • Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia and Czech Republic
    • Stanisław Szuszkiewicz, former President of Bielarus
    • Jan Krzysztof Bielecki, former Prime minister of Poland
    • Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France
    • Władysław Bartoszewski, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland
11. In 2008 the Prize shall be given for the first time. The name of a Laureate, will be announced on December 3rd 2008. The Prize shall be presented on December 6th in Gdańsk during the Conference ‘Solidarity for the Future'.
12. The due tax will be imposed on the cash prize according to current tax regulations in Poland, the cash prize will be minored by the tax and the Laureate will be fully informed.