The Woodrow Wilson Center presented President Juan Manuel Santos with the Award for Public Service, recognizing the Colombian head of state’s efforts to promote peace, democracy and security within Colombia.
According to the Woodrow Wilson Center website, “the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service is given to individuals who have served with distinction in public life and have shown a special commitment to seeking out informed opinions and thoughtful views.”
At the ceremony Santos said he would accept the award with “humility and in recognition of the Colombian people.”
In his acceptance speech he argued that often politicians, such as U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, are too often labeled, simplistically, as either hawks or doves, while the reality can be more complicated.
“My only wish is that when people remember Juan Manuel Santos, they think of a Colombian, despite his limitations, fought every minute of his life to create a better life for everyone,” said Santos.
Woodrow Wilson was president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. In 1919 he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts during the Treaty of Versailles, ending World War I in Europe, and his efforts to form the failed UN predecessor, the League of Nations.
Past winners of the award include: former US Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Hillary Clinton, CNN media mogul Ted Turner, and former president of Brazil Luiz Lula da Silva, among other notable figures.
Sources
- Presidente Santos recibió el Premio al Servicio Público Woodrow Wilson (El Espectador)
- Santos recibe en N.Y. el premio a Servicio Público de centro Woodrow Wilson (Cable Noticias)
- The Woodrow Wilson Awards (Woodrow Wilson Center)