Evo Morales
(Bolivia) Elected in 2005, Bolivian President Evo Morales has been declared the country’s first indigenous head of state since the Spanish Conquest over 470 years ago. He represents the longstanding aspirations of the Bolivian people for social democracy, economic growth and a new sense of social justice.
Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega
(Spain) Deputy Prime Minister, together with Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero she is changing the face of modern Spain. She has become wellknown for her dedication to human rights and those of women, in particular. In 2006, she was named by El Mundo “Person of the Year”, for her commitment to fighting AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa.
Maud de Boer Buquicchio
(France) Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe since June 2002. The next five years of her second mandate will be devoted to promoting human rights and the democratic achievements in Europe with a special focus on the protection of the most vulnerable groups.
Antoinette Sassou Nguesso
(Congo) First Lady of the Republic of Congo and President of the Congo Assistance Foundation. Created in 1984, the foundation aims to improve the health and quality of life of underprivileged people in Congo, focusing specifically on the needs of children, women and the elderly. Since February 2005 Madame Sassou Nguesso has also been the President of the African First Ladies’ Mission for Peace.
Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro
(Brazil) Independent Expert for the UN Secretary- General’s Study on Violence against Children. Former Secretary of State for Human Rights (with the status of Minister) of Brazil, and founder of the Centre for the Study of Violence, University of São Paulo, which he directed until 2001. Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar.
Giandomenico Picco
(Italy) Vice President, International Scientific Committee, Pio Manzù Centre. Former UN Undersecretary-General.
Antonio Sclavi
(Italy) Presidente del Comitato Italiano per l’Unicef onlus
Maurizia Iachino
(Italy) President of Save the Children Italy. SC is the leading independent organization involved in defending and promoting children’s rights worldwide. It works through a network of 27 organisations coordinated by the International Save the Children Alliance, making improvements for children in more than hundred countries.