Bilbao recognizes its commitment to human rights and the city's values

Bilbao City Council held the presentation of the 8th Bilbao Balioen Hiria Sariak Awards in the Arab Hall of City Hall, in a ceremony that once again highlighted the city's commitment to solidarity, coexistence, equality, inclusion and social cohesion.

This year's edition recognized the initiatives of Euskrania, Centro San Luis and Logos Elkartea, three projects that reflect in a very concrete way how values can be transformed into social action. Euskrania was awarded for its work accompanying and supporting the social and labor integration of refugees and displaced persons, especially those of Ukrainian origin. Centro San Luis received the recognition for "Redes de conexión" (Connection Networks), an initiative in which students repair and adapt donated computer equipment for young people in vulnerable situations. Logos Elkartea was honored for "Zientziaz blai," a project that brings science to neighborhoods with greater difficulties in accessing scientific knowledge and that also helps make the role of women scientists more visible.

As a new feature this year, Bilbao City Council and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Spain launched a special call aimed at young people, focused on audiovisual creation, the defense of human rights and social justice. The BBH RFK Award went to Kamanga Influencers Club for its project "Nacemos donde queremos" (We Are Born Where We Choose), a work that stands out for its creative vision, its intercultural message and its ability to bring human rights closer to the everyday reality of young people.

For RFK Human Rights Spain, this collaboration represents an important step in the work shared with Bilbao to promote human rights education connected to civic participation, creativity and civic commitment. The spirit of the award is deeply linked to the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy: the defense of human dignity, equal opportunities, justice and the responsibility of each person in building fairer and more democratic communities.

During the ceremony, the president of RFK Human Rights Spain, María Díaz de la Cebosa, underscored the importance of a humanistic education in a context marked by polarization, social challenges and the growing impact of artificial intelligence. Her remarks reinforced a central idea for the Foundation: educating in human rights does not mean simply transmitting knowledge, but also shaping people capable of thinking critically, living together, acting with empathy and taking an active role in improving their surroundings.

At RFK Human Rights Spain we want to congratulate all the award-winning organizations and thank Bilbao City Council for its trust and collaboration. It has been very special for us to be part of such a wonderful initiative and to work alongside such a committed, approachable and professional municipal team. Initiatives like this show that a city's values are built by its institutions, but also by its neighborhoods, its schools, its associations and, in a very special way, by the voice of its young people.