Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has successfully championed the cause of fair trade, social justice and economic equity for the developing world, has been named winner of the Inter Press Service (IPS) International Achievement Award 2008.
The decision to honor the Brazilian president was taken by the Board of Directors of IPS, chaired by Federico Mayor, a former director-general of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The award ceremony will take place at the U.N. delegates' dining room on Monday (22), on the eve of the high-level 63rd UN General Assembly, which is expected to be attended by over 150 world leaders.