Judge Silvia Alejandra Fernández de Gurmendi Awarded 2020/2021 Inamori Ethics Prize

Each year, the Inamori Ethics Prize recognizes an exemplary international ethical leader whose actions and influence have improved the human condition. The award, presented by Case Western Reserve University’s Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, supports the Center’s mission to foster ethical leadership around the world.

This year, the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence has selected Silvia Alejandra Fernández de Gurmendi, a leading figure in international justice, humanitarian law and human rights, and the first woman to serve as president of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Judge Fernández is the first Latinx Inamori Ethics Prize recipient and the first from South America. She played a central role in the creation of the ICC and has worked tirelessly to see that those who commit war crimes and crimes against humanity are held accountable for their actions. Before joining the ICC, Judge Fernández was director-general for human rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina. She also represented Argentina before other human-rights bodies and advised on transitional-justice issues related to the prevention of genocide and other international crimes.

The 2020/2021 Inamori Ethics Prize ceremony and symposium for Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi will be held on the campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 23 and 24, 2021. The prize carries with it a monetary award, which is intended to support the recipient’s ongoing work.

The Inamori Ethics Prize has been awarded annually since 2008 to honor an individual for significant and lasting contributions to ethical leadership on the global stage. The Callahan Foundation is proud to be the title sponsor for the Inamori Ethics Prize ceremony, lecture and symposium.

Learn more about the Inamori Ethics Prize and the 2020/2021 honoree, Silvia Alejandra Fernandez De Gurmendi.