SOS Children’s Villages has been awarded the 2016 Princess of Asturias Award for Concord, a prestigious recognition bestowed by the Royal Family of Spain. The award aims to recognise those "whose work contributes in a relevant way to the defense of human rights, the promotion of peace, freedom, solidarity, protection of heritage and, in general, progress and understanding of humanity".
SOS Children’s Villages was nominated for the award by the Spanish former basketball player Amaya Valdemoro.
His Majesty the King of Spain, in a letter to the President of SOS Children’s Villages International, Siddhartha Kaul, highlighted that the award recognised the organisation “for its pioneering work over more than 70 years at an international level aimed at protecting children, a mission that gains even greater importance at times of international conflicts and disasters”.
Siddhartha Kaul responded: “We are honoured that SOS Children’s Villages has been named the recipient of the 2016 Princess of Asturias Award for Concord. In a world where millions of children and young people are denied their globally-accepted rights to care and protection, the world is facing a massive challenge. This award reflects not just the role that SOS Children’s Villages plays in 134 countries and territories, but the need for a global movement to ensure that every single child can grow up with love and respect."
President of SOS Children's Villages Spain, Pedro Puig, thanked the jury and said, "This award is for each and every one of our children, because they really are, with their effort and example, what dignifies our work and teaches us that despite the difficulties it is always possible to move forward".
The award will be presented this October at a ceremony in Oviedo chaired by The King and Queen of Spain.
Read more on the Princess of Asturias Foundation website