Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi (ahng sahn soo chee) of Myanmar will be honored as the 2016 humanitarian of the year by students and faculty at the Harvard Foundation.

Suu Kyi gained international prominence as the General Secretary of the newly formed National League for Democracy in Myanmar in 1990. She became one of the world’s most well-known political prisoners during her 15 years of house arrest for participating in protests against the government.

Later, she was supported by her country and was appointed to the newly created role of State Counselor, a title equivalent to Prime Minister.

The 1991 Nobel Peace Prize Committee praised her for her “non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.” She will receive the Harvard Peter J. Gomes Humanitarian Award during a ceremony.

Humanitarian award

Each year, the Harvard Foundation of Harvard University presents the Humanitarian Award to an individual whose works and deeds have served to improve the quality of our lives and have inspired us to greater heights. This award is given in the name of the Rev. Professor Peter J. Gomes, Plummer Professor and Minister in Harvard’s Memorial Church, and is authorized by the Dean of Harvard College and the President of Harvard University.