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The Ambassador of Conscience Award was conceived and created by Bill Shipsey in 2003 for Art for Amnesty to benefit Amnesty International. The award drew inspiration from the last two lines of Seamus Heaney’s poem, “From The Republic of Conscience,” written for Amnesty International Ireland in 1985.
Between 2003 and 2015, the Award Ceremonies were organised, run and funded by Art for Human Rights
The Ambassador of Conscience Award honours extraordinary individuals and groups who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to human rights, confronting injustice, and inspiring others through their actions. Its distinguished recipients include dedicated activists, musicians, artists, and public figures who have galvanised millions worldwide to join in the defence of human rights for all.
Between 2003 and 2015, the Award Ceremonies (held in Dublin, Madrid, Santiago, Johannesburg and London) were organised, run and funded by Art for Human Rights
The recipients of the award between 2003 and 2015 were Vaclav Havel, Mary Robinson, Hilda Morales Trujillo, U2 and Paul McGuinness, Nelson Mandela, Peter Gabriel, Aung San Suu Kyi, Malala Yousafzai, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, and Ai Wei Wei.
The Award ceremonies between 2003 and 2015 featured performances by renowned artists and included presentation speeches by three Nobel Laureates in Literature Seamus Heaney, Jose Saramago and Nadine Gordimer.