WOLA's Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala

Every year WOLA honors organizations or individuals who have worked tirelessly to promote human rights, democracy, and social justice in Latin America. Our awardees are organizations or individuals who exemplify a commitment to WOLA's vision of the future, where human rights and social justice are the foundation for public policy. WOLA's awardees work in unique ways, using diverse methods and with different populations, but with the common cause of promoting human rights in the region.

Human Rights Award 2011

On September 13, 2011, WOLA gave its human rights award to actor Gael García Bernal, Ambulante Film Festival, and the Education Corporation for Costa Rican Development (CEDECO). These honorees were recognized for their commitment to the theme "Migration and Development: Stories that Make a Difference."

Mr. García Bernal was honored for his work calling attention to the plight of migrants in transit from Central America to the United States through his home country of Mexico, and Ambulante was honored for using documentaries as a tool for promoting social change. Meanwhile, CEDECO was honored for promoting a successful and climate-smart economic model for small-scale farmers in Central America.

To watch Joy Olson's opening remarks, click here.
To watch Gael García Bernal's acceptance remarks (without the introduction), click here.
To watch Gael García Bernal's acceptance remarks (with Joe Eldridge's introduction), click here.
To watch Ambulante's acceptance remarks, click here.
To watch CEDECO's acceptance remarks, click here.

Past Award Recipients

2010

AFRODES: Association of Internally Displaced Colombians
Michelle Bachelet, Former President of Chile

2009

Tlachinollan Human Rights Center of Mexico

2008

Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, Organization of American States
U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd

2007

The University of Central America (UCA), El Salvador
U.S. Congressman James P. McGovern

2006

Mercedes Doretti, Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team
Fredy Peccerelli, Forensic Anthropology Team of Guatemala