London,
08
May
2017
|
14:32
Europe/London

Honorary Freedom of the City of London for Aung San Suu Kyi

Her Excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s State Counsellor, has today been awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of London.

Daw Suu was presented with the City of London Corporation’s most prestigious honour at a ceremony at Guildhall. It has been given in recognition of her ‘non-violent struggle over many years for democracy and her steadfast dedication to create a society where people can live in peace, security and freedom’.

During the ceremony, Dr Peter Kane, the Chamberlain of London, paid tribute to Daw Suu’s outstanding achievements, before presenting her with her illuminated Freedom scroll (or ‘resolution’) in an inscribed box.

ENDS

About the Honorary Freedom of the City of London:

The Honorary Freedom of the City of London is the highest honour that the City of London Corporation can bestow upon an individual. When the City of London Corporation wishes to honour someone in this way, a special resolution is passed by the Court of Common Council and if it is passed, the recipient is invited to attend a special ceremony at Guildhall or the Lord Mayor’s official residence, The Mansion House, during which the Chamberlain of London admits him or her formally into the Freedom. The recipient is presented with an illuminated copy of the ‘resolution’ and a casket. Speeches are made at the ceremony by the Chamberlain of London and the recipient.

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust makes grants of around £20 million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

We also help look after key London’s heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London.

We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.