Colombian environmental and peace activist Jani Silva has been awarded the Hessian Peace Prize of the Albert Osswald Foundation for the year 2024 in recognition of her decades of commitment to social justice, environmental protection and community development in the Putumayo region. This was announced by the President of the State Parliament Astrid Wallmann and former Minister of State Karl Starzacher on July 16, 2025. The PRIF advises the Board of the Albert Osswald Foundation on the awarding of the Peace Prize.
State Parliament President Astrid Wallmann, board member, justifies the award with Silva's many years of engagement: “For many decades, Jani Silva has been committed to protecting her homeland in the Colombian Amazon at great personal risk and to the rights of the small farmers living there. Through her courageous commitment to civil society, she raises awareness of the threats to this unique natural area and makes an important contribution to lasting peace in her country, which is plagued by ongoing conflicts, through concrete projects on the ground.”
Former Minister of State Karl Starzacher, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hessian Peace Prize and former President of the State Parliament, praises Jani Silva as a role model for all those who, despite threats, do not allow themselves to be dissuaded from their commitment and fight tirelessly for a more peaceful and democratic country. “Her commitment illustrates how closely the preservation of peace and the protection of the environment are linked. With her work, she is fighting the roots of violence”, as Starzacher says.
In his statement, Jonas Wolff emphasizes the special importance of Silva's commitment to Colombia, but also to peace initiatives worldwide: “Hundreds of people are killed every year around the world who are non-violently committed to human rights, land, the environment and peace. Colombia is particularly affected by this form of violence. It takes special courage to get involved under such conditions. Jani Silva has this courage. She has been fighting for the rights of small farming families and the protection of natural resources in the Putumayo region in southern Colombia for over 40 years. Her commitment is non-violent and aims to achieve social cohesion. Nevertheless, or rather precisely because of this, she has already been the target of several threats of violence. Jani Silva represents all those people who, despite all risks, stand up for peaceful, democratic and sustainable coexistence in their local communities in Colombia and elsewhere. The award recognizes this and hopefully supports it in the future.”
Jani Silva moved to the Amazon region of Putumayo at the age of twelve and began actively campaigning for non-violent conflict resolution, social cohesion and nature conservation as a young woman. Twenty-five years ago, she played a key role in founding the “Perla Amazónica Peasant Reserve Zone” (ZRCPA), a protection zone for 23 villages that gives the local farmers access to agricultural land. Since 2011, she has been President of the “Association for the Integrated and Sustainable Development of the Amazonian Pearl” (ADISPA), which works with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme. The association offers farmers living on the breadline alternatives to criminal activities and thus creates the basis for long-term stability. The area is rich in natural resources and is also an important coca-growing region. Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine, which is made from the coca plant, ahead of Peru and Bolivia.
Despite Silva's international commitment, the protection zone is under massive threat from paramilitary groups. Many farmers and activists have therefore withdrawn or joined paramilitary groups due to their precarious situation. In 2021, the human rights organization “Comisión Intereclesial de Justicia y Paz” revealed that militias were planning to expel and even assassinate Silva and other leading members of the ADISPA. Amnesty International therefore included Silva and her comrades in the global campaign “A Letter from the World”.
With Jani Silva, the state of Hesse is honoring a person who, despite considerable personal risks, is committed to peace, social cohesion and the protection of natural resources on a daily basis. She is therefore representative of all those who are tirelessly fighting for a more sustainable, peaceful and democratic Colombia.
The Hessian Peace Prize is endowed with 25,000 Euros and has been awarded by the Albert Osswald Foundation since 1994. The award is intended to honor people who have rendered outstanding services to peace and international understanding. It was established by the former Hessian Minister President Albert Osswald and his family. The PRIF advises the Board of Trustees on the awarding of the Peace Prize. The award ceremony will take place on September 16, 2025 at the Hessian State Parliament.
To the press release of the Hessian State Parliament (In German)
On September 17, 2025, Jani Silva will talk to Laura Barrios Sabogal at the Instituto Cervantes, Frankfurt/M., about her experiences and community practices to protect the environment.
More information on the event (in Spanish/German)