LULA GANHA PREMIO DA IPS

MEDIA: Lula a "Tireless Advocate" for the Poor and Landless
By Katherine Stapp

IPS Director General Mario Lubetkin (L) presents IPS International Achievement Award 2008 to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Credit:Mithre J. Sandrasagra/IPS

UNITED NATIONS, Sep 22 (IPS) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who rose from a poor childhood to lead a growing economic powerhouse that has placed the ideal of inclusive prosperity at the centre of its development policies, received the Inter Press Service (IPS) International Achievement Award 2008 Monday.

"We would like to honour you because you fought side by side with the landless and deprived, and for your efforts in initiating and supporting policies towards social inclusion and peaceful resolution of conflict, and the full exercise of basic human rights and freedoms, not only in Brazil but among sister nations in Latin America," said IPS Director General Mario Lubetkin.

The Brazilian president, popularly known as Lula, has been deeply involved in international efforts to end poverty and hunger, Lubetkin noted, playing a key role in mobilising support from other world leaders and international organisations.

The award ceremony was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the eve of the high-level segment of the 63rd session of the General Assembly, which is expected to be attended by over 150 world leaders.

In his acceptance speech, Lula emphasised the importance of a free and vibrant media in the global fight against poverty and marginalisation.

"As we move toward social justice and pluralism, the independence of sources is fundamental for a democratic dialogue that is enlightened and balanced," Lula said. "Free access to information is also fundamental in building a world that is more fair and prosperous."

"We know that one of the pillars of democracy and freedom is a free press," the Brazilian president noted. "That is one of the lessons I learned during the struggle against repression and authoritarianism."

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