Source: http://www.iheu.org/iheu-awards-2011
International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) during the World Humanist Congress, which is held every three years, gives awards for outstanding service to Humanism. During the August 2011 Congress in Oslo, IHEU recognised the services by presenting the awards to activists and leaders from India, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA.
The Distinguished Service to Humanism Award is given for exceptional contributions to the work of IHEU. This year, the Award was given to three individuals: Professor Nayendra Nayak, David Pollock, and V.B. Rawat.
The International Humanist Award is aimed at awarding individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to advancing Humanist principles in society. Past winners include Andrei Sakharov, Alexander Dubcek, Amartya Sen and Philip Pullman. This year the Award was given to two people: Sophie in’t Veld, MEP, and Professor P Z Myers.
The following citations were given to all the awardees by IHEU president Sonja Eggerickx:
VB Rawat
VB Rawat first came in contact with IHEU in 2002 in Noordwijkerhout, when he was sponsored to participate in the 50th Anniversary World Humanist Congress of the IHEU where he led a youth workshop on Conflict in Society. Since then, many in the IHEU had the opportunity to note the self-less passion in him to fight injustice in the society around him.
Professor Narendra Nayak
Professor Nayak is a connoisseur of food, and a believer in the magical properties of beer. He is today India’s most active anti-superstition activist, fighting the magical conception of the world, and building a grassroots movement.
David Pollock
2011 marks the next recipient’s fiftieth active year in the humanist movement since he first became involved with the Oxford University Humanists in 1961.
Professor PZ Myers
Professor Myers’ blog Pharyngula is a global phenomenon and in 2006 was named by ‘Nature’ magazine as the top-ranked blog by a scientist. His deep commitment to science and science communication is embodied by his blog and his continuing work in encouraging other scientists to use the internet to spread reason and scientific understanding.
Sophie in’t Veld
She is a Parliamentarian who works tirelessly for the cause of secularism in Europe. A medievalist by training, a linguist with six languages to call on, a politician by accident (she says) after failing to get a job in the private sector, we have to admit she has other interests in life apart from Humanism.
