On October 26, 2008 in a highly moving ceremony at Vienna’s Palais
Coburg the former Columbian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt was
presented with the 2008 WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2008 by Austrian
Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer. In his laudatory speech Chancellor
Gusenbauer praised her democratic principals, her commitment to peace as
well as her sustained efforts in securing the freedom of the many people
still being held hostage by the FARC in the Columbian jungle.
Ingrid Betancourt, 46, was abducted in 2002 by the Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Columbia (FARC) and held hostage under the direst
circumstances for six-and-a-half years. A secret military operation
secured her freedom in July of 2008. Since her release Ingrid Betancourt
has been unremitting in her engagement for democracy and peace as well
as continuing to enlist support from leaders around the world for her
efforts to free the hostages still being held by the FARC and other
organizations.
Vienna’s Deputy Mayor Renate Brauner, who as concerned politician
continually advocated the release of Ms. Betancourt, has promised her
backing for Ms. Betancourt’s new foundation and a peace march that will
be held around the world on November 28 of this year.
George Kindel, Founder und Chairman of the WORLD AWARDS, praised Ms
Betancourt’s unique contributions for democracy and freedom: “She has
become a beacon of hope, a spokeswoman for democratic values and freedom,
and a voice for millions who cannot speak for themselves. This
unwavering commitment has made her a role model for people around the
world. A brave woman who even under the most inhumane conditions
imaginable never lost her faith in the good – never gave up hope.”
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ALBERTINA MUSEUM. Ingrid Betancourt at the press conference (with Superfund’s Founder Christian Baha) |
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A TRUE HEROINE. In her acceptance speech Ingrid Betancourt made a moving appeal for democracy and tolerance. |
Earlier at a press conference before the presentation of the WOMAN OF
THE YEAR AWARD at Vienna’s Albertina Museum Ingrid Betancourt spoke
about her plans and goals for the future. Commencing with the fall of
this year she will establish her own foundation dedicated to
accelerating the process of freeing the hostages still being held in the
Columbian jungle. She will be able to spend Christmas with her mother,
Yolanda, for the first time since 6 years. Yolanda Pulecio de Betancourt
accompanied her daughter to Vienna and actively sought during her
daughter’s captivity global support from world leaders and politicians
for her freedom.
WORLD AWARDS Laureate Christopher Lee, who attended the gala ceremony in
Vienna, lauded Ingrid Betancourt as one of the most extraordinary women
of the decade. “I can only offer my humble congratulations and deepest
admiration for her as a human being”, Mr. Lee said.
The presentation of the WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2008 was the opening
event for the fourth WOMEN’S WORLD AWARDS, which will be held on March
5, 2009 in Vienna. The grand gala will be held at the Vienna Stadthalle
F, taped for television and broadcast around the globa at International
Women’s Day on March 8. After the event a large reception and gala
dinner will be held at Vienna’s City Hall. That Vienna was selected for
the international event is largely due to the efforts of Vienna’s Deputy
Mayor Renate Brauner, who vigorously campaigned for bringing this
glamorous event to Vienna after its great success in New York.
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