Campaigning rocker BONO has been honoured with the prestigious Neruda Award by Chilean President RICARDO LAGOS.
The U2 frontman received the medal during a ceremony at La Moneda, the presidential palace, in the Chilean capital of Santiago on Sunday (26FEB06).
The nation's first female leader MICHELLE BACHELET, who will be inaugurated next month (MAR06), also attended and praised Bono for his activism.

She said, "You are a reminder to all of us that the world is not changed only by politicians and governments. The world is changed by all of us."

Bono and band members THE EDGE, LARRY MULLEN JR and ADAM CLAYTON also received the 2005 Amnesty International award for Ambassador of Conscience this weekend (25-26MAR06).

Meanwhile Bono's band Irish rockers U2 have been named Ambassadors of Conscience by human rights group Amnesty International, at a ceremony in Chile.
The WITH OR WITHOUT YOU hitmakers were honoured at the National Stadium in the capital Santiago.
Amnesty International's secretary general IRENE KHAN praised the BONO-fronted band for its "unwavering" commitment towards making poverty history and devotion to human rights.

Khan said, "Their leadership in linking music to the struggle for human rights and human dignity worldwide has been groundbreaking and unwavering. They have inspired and empowered millions with their music and by speaking out on behalf of the poor, the powerless and the oppressed."
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