The President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Judge Navanethem Pillay has been honoured with The Noel Foundation Life Award by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the Noel Foundation, an international non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, USA.

"Because of your work in international humanitarian law, our selection committee unanimously agreed that it is important that you receive recognition for your tireless efforts.", the Founder of the Foundation Mr. Noel Irwin-Hentschel said in a letter informing the Judge of the award.

The Noel Foundation and UNIFEM have a longstanding partnership to encourage advancement of women in the United States and developing countries around the world. The mission of The Noel Foundation is to "help those most in need to help themselves". Past Life Award recipients include Mother Teresa, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, Helen Suzman and Adelaide Tambo from South Africa, Dr. Christiane Pasqualini of Argentina and the former Prime Minister of Norway Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland.

The Tenth Anniversary Noel Foundation Awards Ceremony will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on Wednesday, 8 December 1999.