Ambassador of Conscience Award 2017

Every year, the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award celebrates individuals and groups who speak out for justice.

The recipients are people who have used their talents to inspire others to fight for human rights. The award also aims to create debate, encourage public action and raise awareness of human rights issues.

In 2017, the prestigious award will be shared between celebrated global music artist Alicia Keys and the inspirational movement of Indigenous Peoples fighting for their rights in Canada. 

The Award event is produced by Art for Amnesty, Amnesty International’s artist engagement programme, which brings together international artists of all disciplines in a collaborative effort to defend and celebrate human rights for all. 

Our conscience is something we are all gifted with at birth, no matter who we are.

Alicia Keys, singer-songwriter and 2017 Ambassador of Conscience

Both Alicia Keys and the Indigenous rights movement of Canada have shown exceptional leadership and courage in championing human rights.

Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International

The 2017 Ambassador of Conscience Awardees

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys has used her career and platform as a 15-time Grammy award-winning artist to inspire and campaign for change. Often referred to as the “Queen of R&B”, Ms. Keys has increasingly interwoven her activism with her art. 

Stunned by the fact that there are now more refugees in the world today than at any other point in history, the musician helped create and appeared in a short film entitled “Let Me In” to mark last year’s World Refugee Day. With her song, “Hallelujah” at its center, the film brings the issue of the refugee crisis home to viewers by telling the powerful story of a young American family forced to flee to the US-Mexico border. 

In 2014, she co-founded the We Are Here Movement to encourage young people to mobilize for change, asking the question “Why are you here?” as a call to action. Through the movement she has sought to galvanize her audience to take action on issues such as criminal justice reform and ending gun violence.

Her extensive philanthropic work includes co-founding Keep a Child Alive (KCA), a non-profit organization providing treatment and care to children and families affected by HIV in Africa and India. 

To be given this great honour, and to be in the presence of the Indigenous rights movement is a humbling experience.

Alicia Keys
Vaclav Havel, playwright, writer and first president of the Czech Republic.
Mary Robinson (centre), former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Hilda Morales Trujillo, Guatemalan women’s rights activist.
U2, campaigning Irish rock band, and Paul McGuinness, their manager.
Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa.
Peter Gabriel, English musician and humanitarian activist.
Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the Burmese National League for Democracy.
Harry Belafonte (left), American singer, actor and social activist, and Malala Yousafzai, girls’ education campaigner in Pakistan.
Ai Weiwei, Chinese artist and human rights activist.
Joan Baez, American folk singer and activist.
Musician Angélique Kidjo shared the award with African youth activist groups Y’en a marre, Le Balai Citoyen and LUCHA

The Indigenous rights movement in Canada

Despite living in one of the world’s wealthiest countries, Indigenous women, men and children are consistently among the most marginalized members of society in Canada.

Now, after decades of public silence and apathy, a vibrant and diverse movement of Indigenous activists has captured the public attention and achieved momentous legal breakthroughs. 

A National Inquiry is now underway into the crisis of violence facing Indigenous women and girls. Indigenous activists from Canada had a crucial role in the development of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous peoples are now actively engaged in promoting these standards in the classrooms and in the courtrooms. In doing so, they are contributing to growing global awareness of Indigenous rights that is long overdue.

Accepting the award recognizing the Indigenous rights movement will be six individuals representing the strength and diversity of the movement, which has bravely fought to end discrimination and ensure the safety and well-being of Indigenous families and communities. They are Cindy Blackstock, Delilah Saunders, Melanie Morrison, Senator Murray Sinclair, Melissa Mollen Dupuis and Widia Larivière.

Receiving such a prestigious international award is an acknowledgement of the work done by thousands of people who have, in their own way, stood up every day for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in a spontaneous and peaceful citizens’ movement.

Melissa Mollen Dupuis and Widia Larivière

Ai Weiwei

Freedom of expression is an essential human condition; it should be valued, respected and protected by all of us.