The International Four Freedoms Award originated in 1982 to commemorate the centenary of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s birth and the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and the Netherlands. It is rooted in Roosevelt’s historic 1941 address, which defined four essential human rights: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.The primary purpose of the award is to honor individuals and organizations outside the United States whose life’s work demonstrates a profound commitment to these principles. While the American awards are presented in New York, the International ceremony takes place in Middelburg, Netherlands—the ancestral home of the Roosevelt family—symbolizing the global reach of these democratic ideals.The intention behind the award is to provide a moral compass for the international community. By recognizing laureates like Nelson Mandela or Malala Yousafzai, the award seeks to inspire global citizens to defend human dignity and challenge tyranny, ensuring that FDR’s vision remains a living reality in modern global governance.