Kennedy Society of Denmark
Purpose: Keeping alive John F. and Robert F. Kennedy’s inspiration
and philosophy of life, so that their good words can be translated into good deeds.

Profiles in Courage Award, 1998

For the year 1998 The Kennedy Society has decided to present John F. Kennedy’s book “Profiles in Courage” as an award to the members of the organization “Médecins sans Frontières” who are actively putting into practice the stated aim of the organization which is “To offer help to peoples in need, victims of man-made or natural catastrophes, or victims of the events of war…” In a courageous and unselfish way they cross frontiers with their professional knowledge and experience, thereby helping their fellow human beings in need.
Thus the organization’s contribution is in line with the objectives stated by John F. Kennedy, in his Nomination speech on July 15, 1960 in Los Angeles: “We stand today on the edge of a new frontier … a frontier of unknown opportunities, and paths of unfulfilled hopes and threats… It holds out the promise of more sacrifice instead of more security.”
“Médicins sans Frontièrs” is like an answer to President John F. Kennedy’s hopes, when he founded the Peace Corps and said to Congress on March 1, 1961: “Let us hope that other nations will mobilize the spirit and energies and skill of their people in some form of Peace Corps, making our own effort only one step in a major international effort to increase the welfare of all men and improve understanding among nations.”
Members of the organization of “Médicins sans Frontièrs” have, through their courageous actions unhindered by national boundaries, quite definitely made their contribution to a better world. They have worked “Without any form of discrimination” as it is expressed in their stated aims. Therefore their aims are in line with those of the United Nations Charter. As workers in the field their doctors also assist in hindering attacks on individuals and on the civil population in general. They limit the spread of disease and help to alleviate suffering among the people. In this way they have responded to the appeal in President John F. Kennedy’s words in his Inaugural Address in Washington on January 20, 1961 to rally and work together in the “struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.”