"Several months ago, we learned that the ruler of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo had donated millions of dollars to the United Nations cultural arm, UNESCO, to fund a prize in honor of . . . .himself. A gracious gesture for a man who rules one of the world’s poorest, most corrupt, and resource-rich countries. Could the millions he offered to donate be better used to fund poverty alleviation or education in Equatorial Guinea (EG)? How about the billions of dollars his government receives annually from oil sales? And should the UN’s cultural division honor this autocrat with a prize in his name? What message does that send to those working for good governance, human rights, and sustainable development?

After much lobbying and public outcry, the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced in June that they were delaying the UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences in order to allow for additional consultation. It is now becoming clear that UNESCO will decide in October whether to cancel the prize..."

Read More >>