The International Jury of the Freedom Prize: A Global Voice in Defense of Freedom

Every year since 2019, the Freedom Prize, sponsored by the Normandy Region in partnership with the International Institute for Human Rights and Peace, offers young people from around the world the opportunity to honor an individual or organization committed to an exemplary fight for freedom. At the heart of this unique initiative is an international jury composed of 24 young people aged 15 to 25, a true embodiment of diversity and global civic engagement.

A process based on youth engagement

The Freedom Prize is distinguished by its ambition: to entrust young people with every stage of the selection process, from initial proposals to the final vote. To join the jury, young people from around the world can apply via an online form, outlining their background and motivations. Applications for the 2026 edition were open until October 15, 2025. 

The 2026 jury comprises 24 young people, including 15 women and 9 men, from 13 different countries: Benin, Denmark, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Germany, India, Italy, Madagascar, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United States, as well as several French regions.This diversity ensures a broad and inclusive perspective on the issues related to freedom.

An Engaging and Inspiring Presidency

For the first time, the presidency of the 2026 jury has been entrusted to a former recipient of the Liberty Prize: Hadja Idrissa Bah, a Guinean women's rights activist and founder of the Guinean Young Women Leaders Club. Her experience and commitment bring a strong activist spirit and enhanced legitimacy to the jury's work.

In 2026, the deliberations will take place at the Dôme in Caen from February 9 to 13, a symbolic setting for civic reflection informed by Norman values ​​of peace and remembrance. 

A structured, collaborative working method 

The international jury will meet over several days to: 

• Study the "Our Freedom Prize" proposals submitted by young people from around the world. 
• Debate collectively to identify the struggles most representative of contemporary freedom issues. 
• Select three finalists whose names will then be submitted to a global vote by young people aged 15 to 25. 

The deliberations will be facilitated by the International Institute for Human Rights and Peace, which will offer team-building activities, critical thinking exercises, and argumentation workshops to foster high-quality collaborative work.

Diverse Profiles and Backgrounds

Year after year, the young jurors demonstrate a wide range of experiences and motivations. In 2026, 16 nationalities were represented, united by a common goal: to defend individual and collective freedoms. Many are already involved in their communities: participating in NGOs, civic projects, educational initiatives, or advocacy.This diversity makes the jury a true forum for international debate where varied perspectives are expressed.

A Real Impact: Selecting Exemplary Struggles

The jurors are responsible for selecting three nominees whose struggles resonate with the concerns of young people worldwide. In previous years, they have notably honored: 

• Gisèle Pélicot, a leading figure in the fight against sexual violence; 
• Melati Wijsen, a young environmental activist; 
• WAPA, an organization supporting children affected by conflict; 
• Noura Ghazi, a Syrian lawyer; 
• Maria Kolesnikova, a leading figure in the Belarusian opposition. 

These choices illustrate the scope of contemporary issues: freedom of expression, women's rights, children's rights, environmental justice, the fight against political oppression…

A dynamic initiative, rooted in Normandy and outward-looking

The jury of the Liberty Prize also benefits from a cultural program that allows young people to discover emblematic sites of Normandy's history: the Caen Memorial, the D-Day landing beaches, the Abbaye aux Dames… These visits allow them to connect with the legacy of those who fought for freedom. 

The international jury of the Liberty Prize is much more than a deliberative body: it is a true school of democracy, a space where young people from around the world learn, debate, exchange ideas, and choose the causes they wish to champion on the international stage. Through it, the Normandy Region and its partners offer a powerful platform to remind everyone that freedom is never a given – and that young people have an essential role to play in its defense.

The three nominees for the 2026 Freedom Prize

After three days of deliberations and debates, the young jury of the 2026 Freedom Prize selected three individuals and organisations that champion the cause of freedom:

▪️China Labor Watch: Founded in 2000 by Chinese activist Li Qiang, China Labor Watch is an American NGO that investigates working conditions in factories. It denounces abuses (child labour, forced labour, discrimination) and defends workers' rights in China and elsewhere.
▪️Nemonte Nenquimo: An Ecuadorian indigenous leader and the first woman to lead the Waorani nation, she defends the Amazon and the rights of indigenous peoples. Co-founder of Ceibo Alliance, she received the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2020 after a legal victory protecting 500,000 hectares of forest from oil exploitation.
▪️Matiullah Wesa: An Afghan activist for education for all, he is the founder of Pen Path. He works to reopen schools and promote women's rights. In 2023, he was imprisoned for seven months by the Taliban for his commitment to girls' education.

🗳️ Starting on 20 March, young people aged 15 to 25 from around the world will vote to elect the winner of the 2026 Freedom Prize!