Philadelphia, PA (August 22, 2022) –The National Constitution Center announced today that it will award its 34th annual Liberty Medal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his heroic defense of liberty in the face of Russian tyranny. The National Constitution Center will honor President Zelenskyy in a ceremony at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia that will take place in October 2022. The event will be streamed live on the Center’s website, constitutioncenter.org.
“It is so meaningful to honor President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the 2022 Liberty Medal,” said Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. “President Zelenskyy has bravely led the Ukrainian people in their defense of freedom against Russian tyranny, and his courage has inspired people around the world to defend liberal democracy and the rule of law.”
The Liberty Medal award is presented with a $100,000 prize. President Zelenskyy will announce today that he plans to allocate the prize to the newly established Ukrainian Veteran Fund with the Ministry of Veteran Affairs of Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has served as the president of Ukraine since May 2019. His courageous leadership in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has won him widespread international praise and awards, including the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, and awards from the governments of the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia.
The Liberty Medal, established in 1988 and hosted by the National Constitution Center since 2006, recognizes individuals who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. Recent recipients have included Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, U.S. Senator John McCain, John Lewis, the Dalai Lama, and Malala Yousafzai.
The Liberty Medal prize is sponsored by Ira Lubert and Pamela Estadt, who have supported the award for more than a decade. The Liberty Medal is also made possible by support from corporations, foundations, and individuals with proceeds going to further the work of the National Constitution Center. Sponsorships and individual tickets to the Liberty Medal Ceremony and Dinner Reception will be available for purchase. Inquiries about supporting the event should be directed to [email protected].
PLEASE NOTE: Credentials are required for press entry to this event. More information about press coverage will be provided in the coming weeks.
About the Liberty Medal
The Liberty Medal was established in 1988 to commemorate the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. Given annually, the medal honors individuals and organizations of courage and conviction who strive to secure the blessings of liberty to people around the globe. A full list of all past recipients is available here: constitutioncenter.org/liberty-medal/recipients.
About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, we serve as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling our congressional charter “to disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a nonpartisan basis in order to increase awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” As the Museum of We the People, we bring the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, we convene leading thought leaders from across the political and jurisprudential spectrum to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, we offer the best educational programs and online resources that inspire and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution.
For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
