Lech Walesa, the former president of Poland and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, has joined the honorary board of the Albert Schweitzer Institute.
"Having Lech Walesa join the honorary board of the Schweitzer Institute is a tremendous honor for us," said David Ives, executive director of the Albert Schweitzer Institute. "President Walesa was one of the key players in fighting for freedom for the people of Poland and whose courage as a leader of the Polish labor movement Solidarity should be an example to all of us. I look forward to working with President Walesa in the future on projects of mutual interest."
Walesa served as the president of Poland from 1990 to 1995. He was awarded the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize for his work as the head of the Solidarity labor union as it fought for its independence against the Soviet Union.
Walesa has received numerous international awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and holds 33 honorary doctorates. He served as the keynote speaker for the 2006 launch of the United Nations International Human Solidarity Day, which is observed on December 20 and raises awareness about poverty eradication and other global issues.
The institute's board includes several Nobel Peace Prize recipients, including Betty Williams, Jody Williams, Desmond Tutu, Rigoberta Menchú, Oscar Arias and former president Jimmy Carter.