Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize facts for kids

The Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize (also called Raftoprisen) is a special award for human rights. It was created to remember Thorolf Rafto, a brave human rights activist from Norway. This prize celebrates people who work hard to protect human rights around the world.

What is the Rafto Prize?

The Rafto Prize is given out every year by the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights. This foundation was started to help people have important freedoms, like being able to think and speak freely. The foundation is located in Bergen, Norway, in a place called the Human Rights House. A small team of staff and volunteers work together to organize the award ceremony. The ceremony happens every November at Den Nationale Scene in Bergen.

Why the Rafto Foundation Helps Others

The main idea behind the Rafto Prize is to shine a light on people who are fighting for human rights but might not be heard. These people often live in places where governments try to stop them from speaking out. By giving them this award, the Rafto Foundation helps them get attention from news groups and support from other organizations.

Did you know that some Rafto Prize winners have also won the Nobel Peace Prize? This shows how important their work is! For example, Aung San Suu Kyi, José Ramos-Horta, Kim Dae-jung, and Shirin Ebadi all received the Rafto Prize before they won the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Story Behind the Rafto Prize

The prize is named after Thorolf Rafto. He was a professor who taught about economic history at the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration. Thorolf Rafto was also very active in supporting human rights, especially in countries like Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland.

Thorolf Rafto's Brave Actions

In 1979, Thorolf Rafto visited Prague to give a talk to students. These students had been kicked out of their universities because of their political beliefs. While he was there, the security police arrested him and beat him. This event might have hurt his health. Thorolf Rafto passed away on November 4, 1986.

Continuing Thorolf's Important Work

After Thorolf Rafto died, his friends and colleagues decided to create a foundation. They wanted to continue his work of promoting freedom of speech and political expression. They also decided to create a special prize for human rights activists.

At first, the foundation focused on Eastern European countries. But after the fall of the Iron Curtain, many of these countries became more democratic. This opened up new chances for the foundation to help people in other parts of the world.

For example, in 1990, the Rafto Prize was given to Aung San Suu Kyi, a leader from Burma (now Myanmar). The very next year, in 1991, she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful fight for democracy and human rights. The Rafto Foundation was first based at the Norwegian School of Economics. In 1997, it moved to the Human Rights House in Bergen, Norway.

The Award Ceremony

The Rafto Prize is given out every year on the first Sunday in November. Since 1990, the official ceremony has taken place at the National Theatre of Bergen. Many important guests are invited to the ceremony. These include people from the city of Bergen, the Norwegian government, university professors, and supporters of the Rafto Foundation. Thorolf Rafto's family members also attend.

How Winners Are Chosen

People can suggest candidates for the Rafto Prize until April 1st each year. Groups, organizations, and individuals from all over the world who care about human rights can nominate someone. Even past winners of the prize can suggest new candidates.

However, people cannot nominate themselves or their own staff. After the deadline, a special prize committee carefully reviews all the applications. The final decision is usually announced at a press conference in September at the Rafto House.

List of Rafto Prize Winners

Other Resources

• Per Egil Hegge (2016) Fear Shall Not Triumph: The Rafto Prize - 30th Anniversary (Bergen: Fagbokforlaget) ISBN: 978-8253303499
• Atle M. Skjærstad (2016) Uværet som aldri stilnet (Bergen: Vigmostad & Bjørke AS) ISBN: 978-8241912702

See also

In Spanish: Premio Rafto para niños