On the background of its history during the National Socialist reign of terror, the City of Nuremberg feels particularly committed to human rights. It therefore adopted the motto of "Nuremberg – City of Peace and Human Rights" and established a municipal Human Rights Office. The office's tasks include planning, organising and co-ordinating human rights activities within the city, in co-operation with numerous partners.
One essential task is the organisation of the presentation of the "Nuremberg International Human Rights Award" which since 1995 has been awarded every two years to persons committed to human rights in an exemplary way and at considerable personal risk. The City of Nuremberg continues supporting the awardees after the presentation of the award, for example by supporting their human rights projects in their respective home countries. These projects are granted additional funding by donations from Nuremberg citizens, by the foundation "Nuremberg – City of Peace and Human Rights" and by the "Peace Banquet", a benefit dinner reminiscent of a historic banquet in 1649.
Meanwhile Nuremberg's diverse efforts have been internationally recognised. In 2000, Nuremberg was the first municipality world-wide to be honoured with the UNESCO Award for Human Rights Education.
