YMCA Citizenship and Values Award 2026 to the Huésped Foundation
El Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) participated in the award ceremony YMCA Citizenship and Values Award 2026, which took place in the City of Buenos Aires. In this edition, the award was given to the Guest Foundation for her outstanding career in promoting the right to health, fighting discrimination and defending human rights.
CLACSO's participation had special significance, as the institution had been honored with this same award in 2025. As part of the ceremony's tradition, the organization awarded in the previous edition accompanies the presentation of the recognition to the new award recipient.
During the event, the Secretary General of the YMCA, Mario CenciHe highlighted the enduring relevance of the civic values that have inspired this distinction since its creation more than two decades ago and emphasized the importance of recognizing experiences and institutions that contribute to strengthening the social fabric, promoting dialogue, and defending human dignity.
For his part, the president of the YMCA Board of Directors, Miguel PortasShe noted that the trajectory of the Huésped Foundation exemplifies a sustained commitment to expanding rights, access to information, and the development of public policies based on scientific evidence. She also expressed her gratitude for CLACSO's presence at the ceremony, highlighting the connection forged since the Council received recognition at the previous event.
On behalf of CLACSO, its Executive Director, Pablo Vommaro, participated in the presentation of the statuette and expressed his satisfaction in supporting this recognition of an organization with which he shares values and objectives linked to the construction of more just, democratic and egalitarian societies.
Vommaro highlighted that the Huésped Foundation is an exemplary experience of how knowledge, scientific evidence, ethical commitment and public action can converge to expand rights, combat inequalities and improve the quality of life of broad sectors of society.
She also highlighted the importance of strengthening institutions that promote dialogue, solidarity, and respect for diversity in a global context marked by growing inequalities, disinformation, hate speech, and anti-scientific expressions.
“The recognition of the Huésped Foundation highlights the role of organizations that work for the common good, defend science as a public good, and contribute to strengthening democracy and human rights,” he said.
Upon receiving the award, Leandro CahnThe executive director of the Huésped Foundation expressed his gratitude for the recognition and highlighted the collective work carried out by the organization since its inception in the early years of the HIV epidemic. He noted that defending the right to health, producing scientific knowledge, and building community remain fundamental pillars of its work.
The ceremony concluded with the formal presentation of the award by the authorities of the YMCA and CLACSO, reaffirming the importance of recognizing organizations that, from different areas, contribute to building more inclusive, supportive societies committed to human rights.
For over twenty years, the YMCA Citizenship and Values Award has recognized individuals and institutions that promote social responsibility, democratic dialogue, respect for diversity, and commitment to human dignity. Among the organizations recognized in various editions are universities, scientific institutions, social organizations, and prominent figures in Argentine public life.
