World Leader for Peace and Security Award
World Leader for Peace and Security Award
The World Leader for Peace and Security Award is a prestigious award given to leaders who have made significant contributions to global peace and security. The award is presented by the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation
| Sl | Name | Country | Flag | Year | Awarded For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Mata Amritanandmayee Devi | India | 2023 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 9 | Volodymyr Zelenskyy | Ukrine | 2022 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 8 | Andreas Norlén | Sweden | 2021 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 7 | Ursula von der Leyen | Germany | 2020 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 6 | Vaira Vike-Freiberga | Lativa | 2019 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 5 | Sauli Niinistö | Finland | 2018 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 4 | Toomas Hendrik lIves | Estonia | 2017 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 3 | Ban Ki-moon | South Korea | 2016 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 2 | Shinzo Abe | Japan | 2015 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. | |
| 1 | Angela Merkel | Germany | 2014 | have made significant contributions to peace and security around the world. |
World Leader for Peace and Security Award Laureates (2030 ~ 2021)
Mata Amritanandmayee Devi
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2023
“Amma’s legacy is one of profound compassion and enduring dedication to spiritual and humanitarian values. She has uplifted millions by giving solace, building homes, hospitals, alongside many other projects. Her leadership as the Chair of the Civil 20 Engagement Group for India’s G20 Presidency reflects her unwavering commitment to unity, compassion and collective wellbeing,” said Nguyen Anh Tuan.“The Boston Global Forum seeks to employ technology through values in service of humanity. We are honoured to be able to include Amma’s spiritual values into our initiatives. This brings a convergence of compassion with technology to address our global challenges. This has been exemplified by Amma’s work to set a brighter future for all. May we be guided by Amma’s principles in that regard.”Michael Dukakis, the former Governor of Massachusetts, also sent a message saying, “We are profoundly honoured to recognize Amma as a leader for world peace and security. Her tireless efforts to promote love, compassion and global unity are truly exemplary. Amma’s legacy will continue to inspire our collective journey towards a more harmonious world.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2022
Governor Dukakis stated, “Boston Global Forum and Michael Dukakis Institute honor President Zelenskyy and all Ukrainian people as the recipients of the World Leader for Peace and Security Award for 2022 for their courage and sacrifice for freedom and independence.”Zelenskyy is brave against the Russian forces, even in the face of assassination threats, has been an integral part of the resistance. His leadership, loyalty, and confidence in Ukraine has made courage contagious throughout the country.The people of Ukraine have been brave and courageous in the face of a totalitarian regime, in spite of a dictator who wants to control their way of life. The Ukrainian people have stood before tanks, mobbed Russian vehicles, and have held their ground in the country to take up arms and defend their independence.President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have had an impact across the globe – uniting the EU and other countries in their fight. They have shown their bravery and courage in the fight for freedom and independence, while maintaining peace and security for all human beings. They are teaching dictators and totalitarian regimes lessons about dignity.Along with honoring them, BGF calls on our community members to help and support the Ukrainian people in rebuilding their country. The first step in this incredible undertaking is to help Ukrainian students, as they are our hope for the future.
Andreas Norlén
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2021
After serving as member of Parliament for Östergötland County for the Moderate Party, Norlén was elected Speaker of the Riksdag on September 24, 2018. Before that, Norlén served as the Chair of the Committee on the Constitution, the War Delegation, the Committee on Justice, and the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs. He has played a pivotal role supporting constitutional matters relating to the media, the auditing of governmental processes, the Riksdag’s work on EU matters and issues concerning privacy.Norlén worked across party lines to ensure unified support for the conclusions reached by the Committee on the Constitution, regarding its scrutiny of the performance of government ministers and the handling of government business. Norlén has asserted that the practices determined by the Committee on the Constitution should obtain broad support in the Riksdag and remain the same when there is a change in the political majority of the Riksdag. He also worked for broad political consensus in matters such as those affecting the Constitution and preventive measures to counteract violent extremism.Norlén defended his thesis at Linköping University in 2004 on the subject of Unreasonableness and Section 36 of the Contracts Act and is a Doctor of Laws. Norlén is also a businessperson active in the family publishing company Kurirengruppen i Sverige AB.The World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2021 reflects BGF’s high regard for Andreas Norlén’s efforts to enhance democracy and public trust in political processes and institutions in Sweden, and our appreciation for his awareness of AI opportunities and risks.
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World Leader for Peace and Security Award Laureates (2020 ~ 2014)
Ursula von der Leyen
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2020
President von der Leyen will deliver remarks virtually at a conference in Boston on the role of artificial intelligence in safeguarding democratic rights sponsored by The Boston Global Forum and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation.Governor Dukakis said, “For the past four years, the White House has strained to the breaking point, our ties with our European allies—relationships that have fostered peace, human rights and defended the Western world from aggression for three-quarters of a century.”Governor Dukakis praised President von der Leyen for the proposed New Agenda for EU-US relations and for the goal of establishing global Artificial Intelligence standards based on democratic values.President Von der Leyen said, “Artificial intelligence has a tremendous potential. Medicine, agriculture, transport, science – the areas where AI will make a huge difference are limitless. At the same time, it raises important ethical questions. A bit earlier this afternoon I mentioned digital sovereignty. That this is not only meant economically. Artificial intelligence is a prime example of digital sovereignty. It is an example of our ambition to apply European standards and values to technology deployed in Europe. Europe wants to lead the way on AI, with the individual at the centre.”President Von der Leyen further said, “The US and the EU should work together on a common approach, based on our shared traditions and our commitment to democratic values. Developing a Transatlantic Agreement on AI is one such goal. We should also strengthen our international organizations and promote peace and security.”Ursula von der Leyen was elected President of the European Commission in November 1, 2019. She will serve a five-year term as head of the Commission, setting strategy and priorities for EU policy. A prominent political leader, von der Leyen was the first woman to serve as Germany’s Minister of Defense, after having served in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet since 2005.A new report on AI policy – Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values – will be released at the December 12 conference. The report was prepared by the Center for AI and Digital Policy at the Dukakis Institute and conducted by a team of international experts.
Vaira Vike-Freiberga
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2019
Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the first woman president of Latvia, and a founding member of the World Leadership Alliance–Club de Madrid will be presented with the World Leader for Peace and Security Award on October 21, in Madrid. The award will be presented by Governor Michael Dukakis, Chairman of the Boston Global Forum and Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (BGF-MDI).Vike-Freiberga currently serves as the president of Club De Madrid, the world’s largest forum of former heads-of-state and parliamentary governments. She is also a member of the International Programme Board of the Prague European Summit.Vike-Freiberga, who served two terms as Latvia’s president from 1999-2007, is being recognized in-part for her contributions to the AI World Society Initiative–launched by Boston Global Forum and the Dukakis Institute, as well as other contributions to peace and security in the Baltics, Europe, and internationally.Club De Madrid has also been partnering with Boston Global forum and The Dukakis Institute in in an effort to build the Next Democracy Generation using AI and AIWS models. This project addresses the main factors that impact the world’s democracies, among them new technologies and social media.In presenting the award, Gov. Dukakis, whose organization is dedicated to international peace, security and cooperation, is expected to say:“We’ve been fortunate to have worked with President Vike-Freiberga in recent years. The first contact with her for many of us in Boston was when she was a senior fellow at Harvard University’s Institute of Politics. Since then, she has been a frequent participant in the proceedings of the Boston Global Forum and is a member of our board of international thought leaders. She has made significant contributions for the AI World Society Initiative as well.“She served for two terms as President of Latvia, at a time when it joined the NATO and the European Union. During her last year in office, Latvia’s economy had GDP growth of more than 10 percent, one of the highest in the world.“Europe, too, has benefitted from her efforts. She has, for example, served as Vice President of the Reflection Group on the long-term future of the EU, was a member of the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, and chaired the European Commission High Level Expert Group on Media Freedom.“As Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, she brought attention to Azerbaijan’s development and its critical role in maintaining peace and harmony in the Caucasus. A Muslim-majority country, Azerbaijan is a model for religious tolerance and cooperation.”President Vike-Freiberga will also be recognized at the Boston Global Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Day event, to be held at noon, December 12, 2019 at Harvard University.
Sauli Niinistö
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2018
President Sauli Niinistö – President of the Republic of Finland received the World Leader for Peace and Cybersecurity Award from the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI). He was honored during Global Cybersecurity Day, which is observed on December 12 each year.The goal of Global Cybersecurity Day is to inspire the shared responsibility of the world’s citizens to protect the Internet’s safety and transparency. This year’s conference revolved around the theme “AI solutions solve disinformation“. During the discussion, experts explored the current state of cybersecurity and the threat posed by disinformation, anonymous sources and fake news as well as the role AI can play as an effective defense mechanism against these threats to truth and the principles of democracy.Former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, Chairman and Co-founder of BGF & MDI, moderated this year’s event.President Niinistö was presented with the World Leader for Peace and Cybersecurity Award for his leadership role in establishing Finland as a vital member of the world community and his support of The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats. In this role, he has fostered the understanding of, and solutions to the numerous threats we face from political forces, economic instability, military intervention, civil unrest, climate change, and unsafe Internet practices.In a video message presented at the Global Cybersecurity Day Symposium, President Niinistö expressed his honor to receive this award and emphasized the importance of cooperation between nations to tackle the issues related to ongoing cyberthreats. “To increase national cybersecurity, all nations need to do their upmost to increase awareness among their citizens in all sectors of society. In cyberspace, we need to strengthen our cooperation between nations and rules over international borders,” said President Niinistö.He said that he hopes the establishment of an intergovernmental think tank— The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats—will make our society more secure. In conclusion he also highlighted the role of women in the era of rapid technological development. “Unlocking their full potential is crucial for our success as an international community. We should educate and advocate more young women to become active in this field. It will make us better prepared to profit from the immense opportunity that the digital era affords us.”To guarantee the interoperability among different frameworks and approaches of governments, given the conditions of uncertainty and complexity in the AI ecosystem, Boston Global Forum – Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (BGF-MDI) published AIWS Report on AI Ethics and proposed the model for Government AIWS Ethics and Practices Index. Also, BGF-MDI cooperated with AI World to form a strategic alliance host of the AI World Government Conference & Expo, on June 24 to 26, 2019, Washington, D.C.
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Toomas Hendrik lIves
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2017
Toomas Hendrik Ilves served as the fourth President of Estonia from 2006 to 2016, previously served in the government as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 1998 and again from 1999 to 2002. He was key in driving the initiatives in e-government and cyber security for which the country has been acknowledged as a world-leader.From 1993 to 1996, Ilves served in Washington as the Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the United States of America and Canada. During this time he initiated with education minister Jaak Aaviksoo the Tiger Leap initiative to computerize and connect all Estonian schools online.In 2004, Ilves was elected a Member of the European Parliament, where he was vice-president of the Foreign Affairs Committee. As an MEP, he initiated the Baltic Sea Strategy that later was implemented as official regional policy of the European Union.Toomas Ilves was elected President of the Republic of Estonia in 2006, and was re-elected for a second term in office in 2011. In June 2017, President Ilves was awarded the Reinhard Mohn Prize entitled, “Smart Country: Connected. Intelligent. Digital.”During his presidency, Ilves was appointed to serve in several high positions in the field of ICT in the European Union. He served as Chairman of the EU Task Force on eHealth from 2011 to 2012. From 2012 to 2014, at the invitation of the European Commission, he was Chairman of the European Cloud Partnership Steering Board. From 2014 to 2015, he was the co-chair of the advisory panel of the World Bank’s World Development Report 2016 “Digital Dividends” and since June 2014, the chair of World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Cyber Security.Since November 2016, Ilves has co-chaired the Global Futures Council on Blockchain Technology, a working group set up by the World Economic Forum focusing on how blockchain technology can be used to improve the security of the internet.His interest in computers started at an early age – he learned to program at the age of 13, and he has been promoting Estonia’s IT-development since the country restored its independence. During recent years, Ilves has spoken and written extensively on integration, trans-atlantic relations, e-government, cyber security and other related topics. He has published many essays and articles in Estonian and English on numerous topics ranging from Estonian language, history and literature to global foreign and security policy and cyber security.Having realized just how important the early adoption and acquisition of digital skills were before many others did, President Ilves was named the World Leader in Cybersecurity with his contributions by the Boston Global Forum and the Michael Dukakis Institute on December 12, 2017 at Loeb House, Harvard University.
Ban Ki-moon
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2016
At its second annual Global Cybersecurity Day conference, the Boston Global Forum will announce the recipient of this year’s “World Leader for Peace, Security, and Development” award: Ban Ki Moon, United Nations Secretary General.The Boston Global Forum is recognizing Ban for leading the UNESCO Global Education First Initiative whose aim is to put every child in school because education is a right, improve the quality of learning to include improving world literacy and foster global citizenship that cultivates respect for the world, each other and prepares children for the interconnected challenges of the 21st Century.Ban says, “when we put education first, we can reduce poverty and hunger, end wasted potential – and look forward to stronger and better societies for all.”Additionally in 2016, the Secretary-General worked to reduce conflict and suffering in Syria, Kashmir, along the India-Pakistan border, in Ghana and between Israel and the Palestinians. He also commended the Columbian government and The Columbian People’s Army (FARC-EP) coming to a modified peace agreement.Ezra Vogel, of Boston Global Forum, and Harvard Professor Emeritus, credited Ban for his “absolutely sincere dedication to making the world a better place, with peace and cooperation between countries.”Boston Global Forum Chairman Governor Michael Dukakis will make the announcement and speak in honor of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the start of the conference:
Shinzo Abe
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2015
Boston Global Forum has named Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel as the recipients of the World Leader for Peace, Security and Development Award. This Award is granted to individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to peace and security within their country and abroad.Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is named as the recipient of The World Leader in Cybersecurity Award which is granted to an individual whose outstanding contributions have led to the advancement of cybersecurity.Award recipients are selected by a committee of scholars and public officials, guided by nominations from political, media, academic and civic leaders.Boston Global Forum will announce the Awards at its “Global Cybersecurity Day”, which will be held on December 12 at 10:00 am at the Harvard University Faculty Club.A preliminary announcement will occur on December 11 at 10:00 pm, which is 12:00 noon, December 12-Tokyo time.
Angela Merkel
World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2014
Boston Global Forum has named Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel as the recipients of the World Leader for Peace, Security and Development Award. This Award is granted to individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to peace and security within their country and abroad.Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is named as the recipient of The World Leader in Cybersecurity Award which is granted to an individual whose outstanding contributions have led to the advancement of cybersecurity.Award recipients are selected by a committee of scholars and public officials, guided by nominations from political, media, academic and civic leaders.Boston Global Forum will announce the Awards at its “Global Cybersecurity Day”, which will be held on December 12 at 10:00 am at the Harvard University Faculty Club.A preliminary announcement will occur on December 11 at 10:00 pm, which is 12:00 noon, December 12-Tokyo time.