Ingrid Betancourt WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2008

Ingrid Betancourt WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2008

VIENNA, Austria and FLORENCE, Italy, September 5/PRNewswire/ --

- Mikhail Gorbachev Will Present the Prize at the WOMEN'S WORLD AWARDS
2008

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downloaded free of charge at:
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The WORLD AWARDS Association, presided by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Mikhail Gorbachev, today announced the first WOMEN'S WORLD AWARDS winner for
2008: Ingrid Betancourt, 46, the former Columbian presidential candidate,
kidnapped in 2002 by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) and
held captive in the Columbian jungle for six and a half years, will receive
the WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2008.

The award winner, who was chosen directly by the WORLD AWARDS Committee,
will receive the honor for her commitment to democratic values, freedom and
tolerance. After her rescue in July 2008, Ms. Betancourt has continued to
dedicate her life to democracy, freedom and peace, as well as helping the
hundreds of people still being held hostage by the FARC.

WORLD AWARDS Founder Georg Kindel, who informed Ms Betancourt about the
decision by the committee in Florence, Italy: "For six long years Ingrid
Betancourt had to suffer only because she had engaged herself for a more
democratic government in her country. Her mission is to improve the life of
people suffering from oppression, exploitation and violence. This unwavering
commitment has made her a role model for millions."

"I am extremely honored and will humbly accept this award at this year's
WOMEN'S WORLD AWARDS gala," Ingrid Betancourt said after being informed about
the decision of the WORLD AWARDS Committee. "I see this prize not only as a
call to for me to continue to fight for the freedom of the rest of the
hostages still held by the FARC in Columbia, but also for all people who are
being suppressed against their will - even in their own families. It is my
goal to make this world-wide solidarity into a voice for the oppressed, for
those who have not been heard." During her captivity faith became Ms.
Betancourt's biggest ally: "My hope stemmed from my faith in God. This gave
me the strength to overcome all the agony and fear. Every person at some time
in their lives reaches a point where a decision has to be made that affects
others. It is my goal to make people everywhere realize that these choices
must be made in the spirit of humanity."

The WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2008 will be presented at the fourth WOMEN'S
WORLD AWARDS-Gala on October 26, 2008. Further details regarding the event as
well the location, which will be held at a European city this year, will be
announced by the President of the WORLD AWARDS, Mikhail Gorbachev at an
international press conference shortly.

Since 2004 extraordinary women have been honored with the WOMEN'S WORLD
AWARDS at a glamorous television gala. Among the past award winners are
Benazir Bhutto, Queen Noor of Jordan, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Bianca
Jagger, Donatella Versace, Catherine Deneuve and Claudia Schiffer. Over 500
million people from around the world were able to see and hear about the last
gala ceremony in New York via TV, print media, radio and the Internet. The
WOMEN'S WORLD AWARDS today are recognized internationally as the most
prestigious women's award in the world.

Photo: http://www.ots.at/redirect.php?betancourt

For further information regarding the WOMEN'S WORLD AWARDS please visit
our website at http://www.worldawards.com or contact:

WORLD AWARDS MEDIA GmbH Europe, Georg Kindel, Marc-Aurel-Strasse 10,
A-1010, Vienna, Austria, Phone +43-1-533-32-55-0, mailto:
g.kindel@worldawards.com

Source: WORLD AWARDS MEDIA GmbH

WORLD AWARDS MEDIA GmbH Europe, Georg Kindel, Marc-Aurel-Strasse 10,
A-1010, Vienna, Austria, Phone +43-1-533-32-55-0, mailto:g.kindel@worldawards.com

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