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Ingrid Betancourt

Global human rights advocate
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About

Gender: Female
Nationality:
Languages: English
Travels from: United Kingdom

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Biography Highlights

  • An unbreakable spirit and a foremost human rights activist, former hostage and politician Ingrid Betancourt is one of the world’s most sought after speakers.

Biography

Ingrid Betancourt’s background

Having been the longest held female hostage and a fearless politician, Ingrid Betancourt now draws upon her experiences to motivate and assist others, campaigning for human rights and highlighting areas in which violations still occur globally. Internationally applauded for her commitment to the values of freedom, tolerance and democracy, Betancourt is uniquely placed to deliver life affirming and truly inspirational talks.

  • Columbian politician
  • Global human rights activist
  • Anti-corruption activist
  • Nominated for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize

Speaking Style

  • Passionate, honest and determined, Betancourt recounts her experiences as a hostage, inspiring others to renew their faith in the human spirit and to think afresh about the importance of human rights, freedom and democracy.

On February 23, 2002, Ingrid Betancourt had been campaigning for the presidency of Colombia when was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Betancourts indomitable spirit kept her striving for freedom throughout the six years as a hostage which followed; deep in the Colombian rainforest, she was held prisoner by FARC. It was not until July 2, 2008 that she was rescued by the Colombian army along with 14 fellow hostages, so it is little wonder that her experiences have shaped her character and made her more determined than ever to strive for human rights the world over. Tellingly, Betancourt does not seek revenge against her captors instead she has sought to promote dialogue between FARC and the government, with the aim of reducing conflict and encouraging reconciliation. Since her release she has campaigned for the release of numerous other hostages by ensuring that the public are aware of their plight and has sought to encourage the use of non-violent conflict resolution the world over.

Now an international symbol of the human spirit, bravery and dignity, Betancourt is keen to inspire others to fight for democracy and peace and is an advocate of human rights. She has received numerous awards and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008. Her message to all people is clear dialogue and democracy are the way to make a stand and to preserve both relationships and lives during conflicts.

Positions and honours

  • Nominee – Nobel Peace Prize (2008)
  • Ordre national de la Lgion d’honneur (2008)
  • Prince of Asturias Award (Concord) (2008)
  • Woman of the Year Award – World Awards Association (2008)
  • Granted a brief audience with Pope Benedict XVI (2008)

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Available: Virtually
Available: Virtually

Books

Even Silence Has an End: My Six Years of Captivity in the Colombian Jungle

Even Silence Has an End: My Six Years of Captivity in the Colombian Jungle

Born in Bogotá, raised in France, Ingrid Betancourt at the age of thirty-two gave up a life of comfort and safety to return to Colombia to become a political leader in a country that was being slowly destroyed by terrorism, violence, fear, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. In 2002, while campaigning as a candidate in the Colombian presidential elections, she was abducted by the FARC. Nothing could have prepared her for what came next. She would spend the next six and a half years in the depths of the jungle as a prisoner of the FARC. Even Silence Has an End is her deeply personal and moving account of that time. Chained day and night for much of her captivity, she never stopped dreaming of escape and, in fact, succeeded in getting away several times, always to be recaptured. In her most successful effort she and a fellow captive survived a week away, but were caught when her companion became desperately ill; she learned later that they had been mere miles from freedom. The facts of her story are astounding, but it is Betancourt’s indomitable spirit that drives this very special account, bringing life, nuance, and profundity to the narrative. Attending as intimately to the landscape of her mind as she does to the events of her capture and captivity, Even Silence Has an End is a meditation on the very stuff of life-fear and freedom, hope and what inspires it. Betancourt tracks her metamorphosis, sharing how in the routines she established for herself-listening to her mother and two children broadcast to her over the radio, daily prayer-she was able to do the unthinkable: to move through the pain of the moment and find a place of serenity. Freed in 2008 by the Colombian army, today Betancourt is determined to draw attention to the plight of hostages and victims of terrorism throughout the world and it is that passion that motivates Even Silence Has an End. The lessons she offers here-in courage, resilience, and humanity-are gifts to treasure.

Read more..

Even Silence Has an End: My Six Years of Captivity in the Colombian Jungle

Biographies, Politics
Born in Bogotá, raised in France, Ingrid Betancourt at the age of thirty-two gave up a life of comfort and safety to return to Colombia to become a political leader in a country that was being slowly destroyed by terrorism, violence, fear, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness. In 2002, while campaigning as a candidate in the Colombian presidential elections, she was abducted by the FARC. Nothing could have prepared her for what came next. She would spend the next six and a half years in the depths of the jungle as a prisoner of the FARC. Even Silence Has an End is her deeply personal and moving account of that time. Chained day and night for much of her captivity, she never stopped dreaming of escape and, in fact, succeeded in getting away several times, always to be recaptured. In her most successful effort she and a fellow captive survived a week away, but were caught when her companion became desperately ill; she learned later that they had been mere miles from freedom. The facts of her story are astounding, but it is Betancourt's indomitable spirit that drives this very special account, bringing life, nuance, and profundity to the narrative. Attending as intimately to the landscape of her mind as she does to the events of her capture and captivity, Even Silence Has an End is a meditation on the very stuff of life-fear and freedom, hope and what inspires it. Betancourt tracks her metamorphosis, sharing how in the routines she established for herself-listening to her mother and two children broadcast to her over the radio, daily prayer-she was able to do the unthinkable: to move through the pain of the moment and find a place of serenity. Freed in 2008 by the Colombian army, today Betancourt is determined to draw attention to the plight of hostages and victims of terrorism throughout the world and it is that passion that motivates Even Silence Has an End. The lessons she offers here-in courage, resilience, and humanity-are gifts to treasure.
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Buy the book