Introduced in 2006, The One Humanity Award is presented by the members of PEN Canada to a writer whose work transcends the boundaries of national divides and inspires connections across cultures. Valued at $7,000, the award honours PEN’s commitment to literature as a common currency between nations, and as a catalyst for mutual understanding and respect.
The award is chosen by the PEN Canada Writers in Prison committee, and presented at the International Festival of Authors.
Past winners have included Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, Chinese journalist Jiang Weiping, Burmese poet and activist Zarganar, Mexican activist Lydia Cacho, Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, and the Vietnamese blogger Dieu Cay, Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi, Ethiopian editor and journalist Eskinder Nega, and Kyrgyz journalist and human rights activist Azimjon Askarov. The One Humanity Award was funded by a donation from PEN Canada patron Florence Minz until 2015. It is now generously funded by the members of PEN Canada.
PAST WINNERS:
2024 | Jimmy Lai
2023 | Alaa Abd el Fattah
2019 | Nasrin Sotoudeh
2017 | Ashraf Fayadh
2016 | Azimjon Askarov
2015 | Eskinder Nega
2014 | Raif Badawi
2013 | Dieu Cay
2012 | Liu Xiaobo
2010 | Parvez Sayed Kambaksh
2009 | Lydia Cacho
2008 | Zarganar
2006 | Jiang Weiping