Americas Society Awards Gold Insigne to President of Peru

Ollanta Humala recognized for his commitment to social inclusion

New York, September 26, 2014 – On September 25 Americas Society awarded President of Peru Ollanta Humala the Gold Insigne, the organization’s highest honor, for his outstanding contributions to his country and its people, the region, and society. Since his election in 2011, President Humala has implemented his vision of a country where economic gains are being used to address deeply rooted social challenges. President Humala was presented with the Gold Insigne at a special ceremony that brought together over 150 guests at the Americas Society landmark building in New York.

Americas Society/Council of the Americas President and CEO Susan Segal remarked on the president’s reforms, which seek to ensure greater prosperity with real opportunities for the Peruvian people. "Within the first three months of your term, you created the first ever ministry dedicated to development and social inclusion," she said. "And within two years, you had increased social spending by more than 50 percent, lifting half a million Peruvians out of poverty." Segal was joined by AS/COA Chairman Emeritus William R. Rhodes while presenting the Gold Insigne to President Humala.

"In the next two years in office we will continue working closely with private and foreign investors so they can continue finding a space for opportunity in Peru," President Humala said while accepting the honor. "I think it is important to understand that countries that have succeeded in achieving development have done so not because they have more natural resources, but because they have had the political will, and have invested in education. That is why we are assigning an unprecedented portion of our budget to education, health, social policy, and security."

Americas Society’s Gold Insigne is awarded to democratically elected heads of state from the Western Hemisphere whose exceptional leadership has had a deep and long-lasting impact in their country and the lives of its people. The Gold Insigne honors distinguished leaders who excel at promoting greater social, political, and cultural awareness of the realities of both their countries and the region. Past honorees of the Gold Insigne have included Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Ricardo Lagos, Michelle Bachelet, Felipe Calderón, and Juan Manuel Santos.

Access here a video of the event. Broadcast quality video is available upon request.

For press inquiries contact:   Adriana La Rotta | alarotta@as-coa.org | 1-212-277-8384.
                                                    Kariela Almonte | kalmonte@as-coa.org | 1-212-277-8333.