University of Genoa and Brunel University London confer two with Human Rights and Nursing Awards
Two recipients have received a prestigious award to recognise their outstanding contribution to human rights and care at an international conference about nursing ethics hosted by the University of Genoa and Brunel University London.
The winners of this year’s Human Rights and Nursing Awards are Ruggero Rizzini and the nurses from the community mental health teams in Ukraine. The awards, of around £15,000 each, are presented each year, to give nurses visibility and celebrate their commitment and work to foster international respect for human rights and dignity of people everywhere in the world.
Ruggero Rizzini, from Pavia in Northern Italy, was selected as a recipient of the award in recognition of the exceptional contribution he has made to the development of health and social care in Pavia and Guatemala, Central America. Ruggero has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the needs of the most vulnerable, build alliances and open facilities to promote the wellbeing of those experiencing extreme hardship.
Ruggero said: “Receiving this important award is an honour because it means recognising the work we have been doing for 25 years in Guatemala and Pavia, carrying out projects to support vulnerable people it is not up to us to judge, but who need our help.
“The award will be entirely invested in the projects that we are carrying out in Guatemala in the Santa Gertrudis slum to continue to help from a health and nursing point of view as we have been doing for several years. This award makes the difference because it stimulates me to continue what I’m doing while continuing to be available to the population.”
The 32 nurses from the Community Mental Health Teams in Ukraine have been instrumental in the development of mental health services, finding new ways of working in extremely difficult circumstances – a contribution which has been characterised by a great commitment to patients, resilience, courage and resourcefulness.
Four of the award-winning Ukrainian nurses
Rob Keukens, who represented the nurses from the community mental health teams in Ukraine at the conference says: “It is as one of the nurses said, the greatest challenge, even if you are no longer sure what life is and what meaning it has, is to remain human. This award is a tremendous sign of recognition and solidarity. It gives the nurses the strength to continue on their chosen path.”
The awards are run by the Nursing Ethics journal and organised by Jane Leng, Nursing Ethics Board member. All nominations were reviewed by a selection panel of Editorial Board members, service users and students.
The award ceremony was a highlight at the 23rd International Nursing Ethics Conference held on 14 and 15 July at the University of Genoa. The conference celebrated three decades of the international journal Nursing Ethics and engaged with themes discussed in the journal since the first issue in 1994.
Professor Ann Gallagher, Head of the Department of Health Sciences at Brunel University London and Editor-in-Chief Nursing Ethics, said: “These awards are a highlight of our annual conference, reminding us of the significant difference made to patients, families and communities, often in the most challenging of circumstances. The recipients this year are exemplary role models for nurses and other health and social care professionals, demonstrating leadership, courage and commitment which contributes to the best possible care.”