The Stavros Niarchos Foundation receives the Athenagoras Human Rights Award from The Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America

The Order of Saint Andrew established the Athenagoras Human Rights Award in 1986 for the purpose of honoring organizations or individuals that have distinguished themselves in their efforts to consistently support the fundamental human rights of all individuals and their right to freedom of religion. The list of the award’s recipients over the years includes among others, President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Iakovos, Mother Teresa, Senator Paul Sarbanes, Elie Wiesel, Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev, Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Archbishop Demetrios of America, etc.

 

In selecting the Stavros Niarchos Foundation as the Award’s 2012 recipient, the Order of Saint Andrew has recognized and is honoring the SNF’s continuous dedication and commitment towards supporting those most in need of help worldwide. Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the Order, stated about the selection of the Foundation: “Emblematic of the Foundation's commitment to fundamental human rights was its recent grant of $130 million to the People of the Hellenic Republic to ease the social, medical and humanitarian adverse effects created by the unprecedented socioeconomic crisis. With its commitment to health, medicine, social welfare and education since its inception in 1996 having contributed over $1.2 billion in grants, the Archons of America are most proud of the human rights accomplishments of the Foundation and we look forward to presenting the 2012 Athenagoras Human Rights Award to such a most worthy recipient.”

The Athenagoras Human Rights Award was established in honor of the late Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I.