Democracy Courage Tribute to PEN Ukraine, Lviv Media Forum, and Rubryka in South Africa

With this award, the Ukrainian civil society was honored for its courageous activity in wartime.

On November 20-22, the Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. On the final day of the event, three organizations from Ukraine – PEN Ukraine, Lviv Media Forum and Rubryka media – received the Democracy Courage Tribute. With this award, the Ukrainian civil society was honored for its courageous activity in wartime, especially for documenting Russia’s war crimes against Ukraine, concurrent reform-oriented work, and promoting Ukrainians’ awareness and involvement.

The Tribute was received by Tetyana Teren, executive director of PEN Ukraine, Olha Myrovych, head of Lviv Media Forum, and Anastasiia Rudenko, editor-in-chief of Rubryka media.

"The people of Ukraine have come together, to resist Russian aggression, reject autocracy, and stand up for democratic principles and values to determine their own destiny. Ukrainian civil society — which has driven much of Ukraine’s democratic development since independence — has shown remarkable resilience and dedication, finding new value and meaning in its mission during wartime. Civic initiatives, independent media, business associations, trade unions, and political actors have pivoted and even scaled up their work throughout the country," said the organizers of this year’s Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy.

The Democracy Courage Tribute is awarded biannually. This year, the twelfth Global Assembly was attended by nearly 600 participants from over 100 countries.

"It is such an honor for me, for our team, and for the PEN community in Ukraine to receive this award in the presence of so many bright leaders from around the world devoted to the values of democracy. But I have to tell you that the majority of our cultural and human rights projects and campaigns since 2022 have been related to the legacy of our colleagues and friends killed by Russia. This is the work of remembrance, pain, and love. I want to dedicate this award to Ukrainian journalists, writers, and artists who were supposed to create a new Ukrainian culture, develop independent media, and build our democratic country after a long history of repressions — but who were taken by Russia, the same country that has worked for centuries to erase our culture and identity," said Tetyana Teren in her speech.

"For us this is not a local war. We fight against the aggressor who seeks to rewrite the rules of the world, to destroy the order founded on respect for human rights, freedom, and sovereignty. This is a war that will define not only the future of Ukraine but also that of the entire democratic world. This Tribute is to the resilience and strength of Ukrainian society. Our resilience comes from hope. But not idle hope, waiting for things just to happen. No, hope is action, hope that makes us stand against the aggressor and defend our values. It’s about our people, but also about global humanity. It’s about every human being on earth hoping for the better future.I'd like to than to everyone who who understands this and stands with us, as we stand with you. Ukraine and Democracy will win", said Anastasiia Rudenko.

"The common truth is that peace is only possible as a triumph over evil, not a series of compromises with it. Otherwise, we would not live in peace but rest in it. We accept this tribute on behalf of Ukraine’s civil society—those who defend rights, volunteer, fight, and those we have lost. Your solidarity reminds us we are not alone. Together, we will prove that democracy and dignity are worth every effort", said Olha Myrovych.

The World Movement for Democracy is a "network of networks" that connects and unites people and organizations around the world who are working on a daily basis to promote democratic values and build and strengthen democratic institutions in their respective countries. The forum was launched in February 1999 when the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and two nongovernmental organizations in India brought together a cross-section of democracy activists, practitioners, and scholars from over 80 countries in New Delhi for discussions of ways to advance democracy.

The first Democracy Courage Tribute was presented in 2000 during the second Global Assembly. In 2006, Mustafa Cemilev received the award in the name of Crimean Tatars and the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People.