Award

Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize (2008 Prize)

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
July 7, 2009
UNESCO headquarters, Paris
Recipient: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

Research current through October 13, 2026
Last reviewed October 13, 2026

Documentary record

According to the UN, UNESCO awarded its annual peace prize to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.^[1]

According to the UN, UNESCO announced on May 13, 2009 the award of the 2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize to Lula and said it would present it at a ceremony in July.^[2]

According to the jury, the prize recognized actions in favor of peace, dialogue, democracy, social justice, and equal rights, and the contribution to eradicating poverty and protecting minority rights.^[3]

Sources and evidence

Excerpts are quoted in the original language of the source.

1. According to the UN, UNESCO awarded its annual peace prize to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
- Address by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the ceremony for the award of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize to Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (DG/2009/90) · UNESCO Granting institution
  Read from an archived copy (UNESCO Web Archive, captured December 22, 2015); original address: unesdoc.unesco.org. The archive preserves the copy; the author is UNESCO.
  Where: DG/2009/90, p. 2, paragraph 3 after "Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen". Accessed October 13, 2026.
  “In this year which marks the 20th anniversary of the institution of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize, the Jury has awarded the 2008 Prize to Mr Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in recognition of his work in pursuit of peace and equal rights, and his initiatives to eradicate poverty in his country.”
- Brazilian President awarded UN cultural agency's peace prize · UN (UN News) International organization
  Where: paragraph 1. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  “The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today awarded its annual peace prize to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil.”
2. According to the UN, UNESCO announced on May 13, 2009 the award of the 2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize to Lula and said it would present it at a ceremony in July.
- Brazilian President awarded UN cultural agency's peace prize · UN (UN News) International organization
  Where: date and first paragraph. Accessed October 14, 2026.
  “13 May 2009 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today awarded its annual peace prize to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil.”
- Brazilian President awarded UN cultural agency's peace prize · UN (UN News) International organization
  Where: second paragraph. Accessed October 14, 2026.
  “The jury said it had decided to give the 2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize to the Brazilian leader”
- Brazilian President awarded UN cultural agency's peace prize · UN (UN News) International organization
  Where: third paragraph. Accessed October 14, 2026.
  “UNESCO will present the award, created in 1989 and named for the first president of Côte d’Ivoire, at a ceremony in July.”
3. According to the jury, the prize recognized actions in favor of peace, dialogue, democracy, social justice, and equal rights, and the contribution to eradicating poverty and protecting minority rights.
- Brazilian President awarded UN cultural agency's peace prize · UN (UN News) International organization
  Where: paragraph 2. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  “The jury said it had decided to give the 2008 Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize to the Brazilian leader for his actions in pursuit of peace, dialogue, democracy, social justice and equal rights, as well as for his valuable contribution to the eradication of poverty and the protection of minorities' rights.”