Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded Félix Houphout-Boigny, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Peace Prize for her courageous decision in 2015 to welcome more than 1,2 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea.

Highlights

  • Angela Merkel’s word ‘Wir schaffen das!’ (meaning, We can do it!) created a ray of hope for thousands of refugees fleeing the civil war in their country.
  • She held the office of German Chancellor for a period of 16 years and resigned in 2021.

Note – Julienne Lusenge was appreciated for her commitment to the women who were victims of sexual violence and also known for her work in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

About Angela Merkel
  • In November 2022, Angela Merkel became Germany’s 1st female chancellor and served alongside 4 US Presidents, 4 French Presidents, 5 British Prime Ministers and 8 Italian Premiers.
  • Her chancellorship was marked by 4 major challenges that includes the global financial crisis, Europe’s debt crisis, the 2015-16 influx of refugees to Europe and the coronavirus pandemic.

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