VERONA, ITALY — 23 October 2026. Belarusian human rights defender and Director of the Our House Human Rights Centre, Olga Karach, has received the prestigious international Premio Poeta Sociale 2026 – “Per il Bene Comune” (“For the Common Good”), in recognition of her longstanding contribution to human rights, civic solidarity and the protection of people facing political persecution and armed conflict.
The award ceremony took place at the historic Palazzo della Gran Guardia in the heart of Verona, during the third edition of Poeti Sociali (“Social Poets”), a major Italian civic and cultural initiative dedicated to social responsibility, human dignity and the common good.
The 2026 festival was held under the theme “Pace, volto dell’umano” (“Peace, the Face of Humanity”).
Poeti Sociali is organised by Fondazione Toniolo of the Diocese of Verona, under the patronage of the Municipality of Verona, with the support of Fondazione Cattolica and Generali.
Recognising Outstanding Contributions to the Common Good.
The Premio Poeta Sociale – “Per il Bene Comune” honours individuals whose work addresses major contemporary social challenges and translates humanitarian values into meaningful action.
The concept of a “social poet” extends beyond literature. It describes individuals who transform society through civic engagement, strengthen solidarity, defend human dignity and create practical solutions to injustice and exclusion.
Olga Karach was recognised for more than two decades of human rights advocacy, including her work supporting victims of political repression, refugees, displaced persons and individuals affected by armed conflict.
As Director of the Our House Human Rights Centre, Karach has led initiatives defending civil and political rights and providing assistance to vulnerable communities.
A central focus of the organisation’s work is the protection of the right to conscientious objection to military service, including support for Belarusian, Russian and Ukrainian conscientious objectors, deserters and individuals facing persecution for refusing to participate in war.
Her work combines international advocacy, legal and humanitarian assistance, and cooperation with European and international human rights institutions.
Meetings with Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV: A Continuing Commitment to Peace
Olga Karach’s recognition in Verona in 2026 follows her participation in two significant international peace gatherings with successive heads of the Catholic Church.
On 18 May 2024, Karach met Pope Francis during the historic Arena of Peace in Verona, an international gathering dedicated to peace, justice, dialogue and nonviolence. During the encounter, she thanked Pope Francis for his commitment to peace and his support for the Belarusian people.
Video of the 2024 meeting
Exactly one year later, on 30 May 2025, Olga Karach participated in an official audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, alongside approximately 300 representatives of international peace movements and civil society organisations.
Her participation was officially confirmed by the Diocese of Verona and reported by Vatican News, the Holy See’s news service.
In its coverage, Vatican News specifically identified Olga Karach as a Belarusian human rights activist living in exile in Lithuania who faces death threats because of her work defending conscientious objection to military service.
The meeting brought together peace advocates committed to nonviolence, social justice and the protection of human dignity. Pope Leo XIV emphasised the importance of nonviolence not merely as an ideal, but as a practical principle guiding decisions, relationships and collective action.
Official Vatican and Church sources:
- Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV meets peace movements, 30 May 2025
- Diocese of Verona — Official confirmation of Olga Karach’s participation, 28 May 2025
- Città Nuova — Coverage of the Vatican audience mentioning Olga Karach, 1 June 2025
More Than Two Decades of International Recognition
Between 2005 and 2026, Olga Karach and the Our House Human Rights Centre have received ten human rights, peace and civil courage awards in Belarus, Germany, Italy and Sweden.
Their work has been recognised by institutions including the International Peace Bureau, the Alexander Langer Foundation, the schwelle Foundation, Amnesty International Belarus, and European municipalities and civil society organisations.
International Awards
2026 — Premio Poeta Sociale – “Per il Bene Comune”, Verona, Italy.
2026 — World Peace Award, “World Peace Ambassador” category, Stockholm, Sweden.
2025 — Premio Brescia per la Pace (Brescia Peace Prize), Italy.
2024 — Ludwig-Baumann-Preis (Ludwig Baumann Peace Prize), Germany.
2023 — Alexander Langer International Prize, Italy.
2023 — Seán MacBride Peace Prize, International Peace Bureau. Awarded to Our House jointly with the Movement of Conscientious Objectors in Russia and the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement.
2022 — Human Rights Award of the City of Weimar, Germany.
2019 — International Bremen Peace Award, Germany.
2010 — International Award for Civil Courage, Radebeul, Germany.
2005 — Human Rights Defender Award, Amnesty International Belarus Human Rights Awards, Belarus.
Nobel Peace Prize Nominations
Olga Karach and the Our House Human Rights Centre have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice:
2023 — Nomination for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
2024 — Nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Human Dignity and Civic Responsibility
The Premio Poeta Sociale 2026 reflects the importance of civic leadership and practical action in addressing contemporary humanitarian challenges.
The festival’s theme, “Peace, the Face of Humanity,” highlights the responsibility of civil society to protect fundamental rights and support people affected by persecution, displacement and conflict.
By honouring Olga Karach, the Premio Poeta Sociale 2026 recognises more than twenty years of sustained human rights advocacy and the contribution of the Our House Human Rights Centre to protecting vulnerable people and advancing human dignity across Europe.
