Knight of Freedom Award


The Knight of Freedom Award is a Polish international award conferred annually to "outstanding figures, who promote the values represented by General Casimir Pulaski: freedom, justice, and democracy". It was established in 2005 and is presented by the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, which is an independent, non-profit think tank specializing in foreign policy and international security. The award committee chaired by Zbigniew Pisarski, the President of the Casimir Pulaski Foundation, presents the laureates with handmade replicas of the sabre used by General Pulaski. The award ceremony takes place each year during the Warsaw Security Forum and the award is considered to be one of the most important Polish foreign policy and human rights awards.

Laureates

YearLaureateImageCitizenshipCitationSource
2019Lithuaniafor her considerable efforts undertaken in the fight for the security and defense of Lithuania, the Baltic states and Poland as well as for her hard stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
2018Denmarkfor his activities related to enhancing European integration and promoting European values
2017Irelandfor her uncompromising fight for human rights and universal values
2016Estoniafor his activity to promote democratic and pro-European values in the country and all over the world
2016Russiafor the uncompromising efforts to build the rule of law, civil society and the promotion of European values in Russian society
2015Swedenfor his contribution to the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative, whose goal is to bring pro-European values to the partner countries and help in carrying out reforms
2015Polandfor initiating the process of creating the concept of the Eastern Partnership in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy of the EU, the aim of which is to bring pro-European values and help in carrying out reforms in the partner states
2014Georgiafor strengthening the democracy, rule of law, and development of civil society in Georgia
2013Latviafor the promotion of democratic values throughout the world, fighting for equality of women, as well as efforts for social justice
2012United Statesfor his actions and support of the Polish accession process to NATO structures
2011Francefor his contribution in promoting humanitarian values through the organization "Doctors Without Borders" and input in the promotion of the freedom, justice and democracy worldwide
2010Spainfor his commitment to a peaceful solution of the political conflict related to the presidential elections in Ukraine in 2004
2009Lithuaniafor his contribution to conduct re-elections in Ukraine, as well as for his involvement in the Orange Revolution
2009Polandfor his merits in favour of a peaceful end to the Orange Revolution
2008Polandfor his contribution to the democratic transition of Poland
2007Belarusfor his work and commitment to democratic elections in Belarus, as well as for his contribution to the promotion of the freedom, justice and democracy worldwide
2006Polandfor his involvement in opposition activities, in particular, the "Solidarity" movement, as well as his contribution to the improvement of Polish-German relations
2005United Kingdomfor his involvement in promoting Poland throughout his books, which are well-known and recognized worldwide