Luxembourg Peace Prize

Luxembourg Peace Prize
Each year, since 2012, the Schengen Peace Foundation and the World Peace Forum award the Luxembourg Peace Prize, an award that honors the outstanding in the field of peace. The categories of the Luxembourg Peace Prize and their celebration amplify the aims and goals of the World Peace Forum.

Luxembourg Peace Prize Awardee 2017

Ushahidi Inc.
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Ushahidi is a technology company which builds and uses technology to help people raise their voice and those who serve them listen and respond better. Founded in Nairobi, Kenya Ushahidi means “testimony” in Swahili. Our feature-rich engagement platform has been used by organizations large and small to collect, manage, visualize, and respond to millions of incoming reports around the world. Since 2008, the Ushahidi Platform has grown to be the world-class open-source tool for human rights activism, crisis response, and civilian empowerment. Over the past nine years, the Ushahidi Platform has been deployed more than 120,000 times in more than 160 countries, in 45 local languages, with 7 million testimonies, reaching nearly 22 million people. The platform has become a replicable solution for people worldwide to respond to conflict, monitor services, fight corruption, track human rights abuses, organise humanitarian relief efforts and more.

Ervin Laszlo
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Ervin Laszlo is a Hungarian philosopher and the founder and President of the International Think Tank Club of Budapest.The Club of Budapest is an international organization founded in 1993 by Ervin Laszlo. It advocates for planetary consciousness, with a mission to serve as a catalyst for the transformation to a sustainable world. The Club sees itself as a builder of bridges between science and art, ethics and economics, cognition and realization, the old and the young, as well as between the diverse cultures of the world. One of the primary objectives of the Club’s work is the initiative “You Can Change the World.”

Women Wage Peace
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Women Wage Peace is a grassroots movement founded in 2014 that unites tens of thousands of women across Israel, including Jews and Arabs, religious and secular members, from various political backgrounds, to advocate for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The organization champions non-violent, inclusive peace efforts and prioritizes women’s roles in decision-making processes, aligning with UN Resolution 1325. Through initiatives like the “Journey to Peace” march, Women Wage Peace calls for sustained, equitable peace as the foundation for a secure future for all.
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PATRIR
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
PATRIR was founded in 2001 as a non-governmental, non-profit, politically independent international organization in Cluj Napoca, Romania. Its three Departments – the Department of Peace Operations, the International Peace and Development Training Centre, and the Department for Peace and Development Education – drive PARTIR’s engagement within Romania and globally to advance practical steps and capacities for peace by peaceful means. Through patience, dedication, hard work, and commitment to professionalism and passion, the Institute works to enable both immediate results and long-term contributions to peace-building practices.Since its founding in 2001, PATRIR has been a pioneering organisation developing the field of peace-building. Its principal commitment to empowering the ownership and capacities of local, national and international peace actors – from grassroots community organisation to national governments, conflict parties, and international organisations and agencies such as the United Nations, OSCE, Commonwealth Secretariat and more – has helped to strengthen and improve the impact, quality and effectiveness of peace-building efforts. From Iraq to Moldova-Transdniestria, Northern Ireland, Nigeria, Nepal, Libya, Mexico, Syria, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Cyprus and elsewhere, PATRIR has contributed to advancements in peace and stability, violence and war prevention, and post-war peace consolidation, recovery and healing. Working always and only upon invitation and request the Institute has engaged with thousands of people – from senior government and political leadership to local communities, survivors and current and former combatants – to help those in conflict find real, viable and needed alternatives to violence. From its work as one of the leading providers of training, professional development and capacity building in peace-building and prevention through the Institute’s International Peace and Development Training Centre (IPDTC) to its involvement in peace operations through the Department of Peace Operations, and its work to introduce peace education into schools nationally in Romania and internationally, PATRIR is truly an “outstanding peace organisation”.

Lakshitha Saji Prelis
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Mr. Prelis has over twenty years of experience working with youth, youth movements and youth focused organizations in various conflict and transition environments in West & East Africa, Central Asia to South and Southeast Asia. Six years ago he co-founded and has been co-chairing the first UN-CSO-Donor working group on Youth and Peacebuilding that helped in successfully advocating for the historic UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.Prior to joining SFCG, Mr. Prelis was the founding director of the Peacebuilding & Development Institute at American University. His more than eleven years of experience at American University have resulted in the development of training curricula covering youth, human rights, gender, media, monitoring and evaluation, and the nexus of peace building with development.Mr. Prelis is a speaker and moderator at many international fora on the topic of engaging youth as partners to prevent violent extremism, education and peacebuilding. Mr. Prelis obtained his Master’s Degree in International Peace & Conflict Resolution with a Concentration in International Law from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC.

Steven M. Druker
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Steven M. Druker is a public interest attorney who founded the Alliance for Bio-Integrity and, as its executive director, initiated a lawsuit that forced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to divulge its files on genetically engineered (GE) foods. This revealed that politically influenced administrators had covered up the extensive warnings of their own scientists about the abnormal risks, misrepresented the facts, and then allowed these novel products onto the market without requiring the testing that’s mandated by federal food safety law.He is a prominent commentator on the risks and regulatory issues of GE foods and has served on the food safety panels at conferences conducted by the National Research Council and the Food and Drug Administration; been a featured speaker at symposia at the British House of Commons and the National Congress of Brazil and at press conferences sponsored by the Brazilian Medical Association, the Swedish Consumers Association, and concerned members of the European Parliament; and appeared on numerous television and radio programs — and been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles — across the globe.He has been invited to speak at many universities (including Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, and the University of Copenhagen) and has met with government officials world-wide, including the UK’s Environmental Minister, Canada’s Health Minister, and the heads of food safety for the UK, France, Ireland, and Australia. In addition, he was invited to confer at the White House Executive Offices with an inter-agency task force of President Clinton’s Council on Environmental Quality.His articles on genetically engineered food have appeared in several respected publications, including The Congressional Quarterly Researcher, The Parliament Magazine (a Brussels-based periodical), and The Financial Times.His influential book, Altered Genes Twisted Truth: How the Venture to Genetically Engineer Our Food Has Subverted Science, Corrupted Government, and Systematically Deceived the Public, was released in March 2015 with a foreword by Jane Goodall hailing it as “without doubt one of the most important books of the last 50 years.” Among the other scientists who have praised it are David Schubert, a professor and laboratory director at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, who has called it “incisive, insightful, and truly outstanding”; and Joseph Cummins, Professor Emeritus of Genetics at the University of Western Ontario, who extolled it as “a landmark” that “should be required reading in every university biology course.”He majored in philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley, received a special award for “Outstanding Accomplishment” in that field, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year, and graduated with “Great Distinction in General Scholarship.” He also attended UC Berkeley’s law school, where he was elected to both the California Law Review and the Order of the Coif (the legal honor society).

Jake Lynch
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Associate Professor Jake Lynch chairs the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney. He served for ten years on the board of the Sydney Peace Foundation, and for two years as Secretary General of the International Peace Research Association. Before taking up an academic post, he spent 20 years in professional journalism, including as a Political Correspondent for Sky News, Sydney Correspondent for the Independent newspaper, and newsreader for BBC World, for whom he presented over a thousand half-hour bulletins.Together with Annabel McGoldrick, he has pioneered and developed Peace Journalism, in the fields of journalism practice, university education, professional training, and research scholarship. They worked together to produce the biggest ever research study in Peace Journalism, entitle, A Global Standard for Reporting Conflict, showing its audience effects, in four countries and involving over 500 participants.

Annabel McGoldrick
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Dr. Annabel McGoldrick is a psychotherapist, scholar and activist. She teaches at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney. Before that, as a TV news reporter, Annabel worked for SBS World News Australia, and Yorkshire TV in the UK, as well as production credits for the BBC, including the groundbreaking Stop the War documentary with Harold Pinter in 1999. Annabel is also a practicing clinical psychotherapist with over fifteen years’ experience in working with clients one-on-one.Together with Jake Lynch, she has pioneered and developed Peace Journalism, in the fields of journalism practice, university education, professional training, and research scholarship. They worked together to produce the biggest ever research study in Peace Journalism, entitle, A Global Standard for Reporting Conflict, showing its audience effects, in four countries and involving over 500 participants.

United World Colleges
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
United World Colleges (UWC) is a global education movement dedicated to uniting people, nations, and cultures for peace and sustainability. Through 17 schools and colleges on four continents, UWC provides a diverse, inclusive education experience for over 9,000 students from more than 155 countries each year. The majority complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), with over 65% receiving scholarships through one of the most comprehensive financial aid systems in secondary education.At the center of the UWC movement is UWC International, a UK-registered charity responsible for global strategy, fundraising, communications, and ensuring cohesion among UWC institutions. UWC International also oversees the worldwide network of volunteer-led national committees, which support local student selections in 159 countries and help maintain UWC’s diverse student body.UWC’s educational approach emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging students to engage in service, physical and artistic activities, and critical discussions of global issues. This model aims to equip students with skills to address real-world challenges and inspires a lifelong commitment to a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.In line with this mission, the UWC Refugee Initiative is a key project aimed at funding an additional 100 full scholarships annually for students from refugee backgrounds, reinforcing UWC’s dedication to inclusivity and social impact.

Franck Katschunga
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
Franck Katshunga is the founder of Peace Education, Elembo+. Elembo+ focuses on maintaining unity and peace between Congolese, Africans and all the people of the world. They work through education and leadership training.This association has a network of over 3,000 young people across the country and 50 active volunteers. They collect funds to help children by paying their school fees and by giving them school supplies. Elembo + organizes various cultural activities to raise awareness of love and peace.

Negotiators & Civil Society Actors
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2017
After decades of the Colombian conflict, negotiations began in September 2012 between the Colombian government of President Juan Manuel Santos and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia ‘FARC’ (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). Together with Civil Society Actors they have made efforts to bring an end to the conflict. Major progress has been achieved since 2015. Negotiators announced a final agreement to end the conflict and build a lasting peace in 2016.

Luxembourg Peace Prize Awardee 2016

Steve Killelea
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2016
Steve Killelea is an accomplished entrepreneur in high technology business development and at the forefront of philanthropic activities focused on sustainable development and peace. After successfully building two international software companies, Steve decided to dedicate most of his time and fortune to sustainable development and peace.In 2007 Steve founded the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an international think tank dedicated to building a greater understanding of the interconnection between business, peace and economics with particular emphasis on the economic benefits of peace. IEP’s ground-breaking research includes the Global Peace Index, the world’s leading measure of peacefulness. Steve’s founding of IEP was recognized as one of the 50 most impactful philanthropic gifts in Australia’s history.Steve currently serves on a number of influential Company Boards, Advisory Boards and President Councils. In 2010 he was honoured as Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the global peace movement and the provision of humanitarian aid to the developing world. In 2013 Steve was nominated one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Armed Violence Reduction” by the UK group Action on Armed Violence.

Abdoulrazzak Halim
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2016
Halim Abdoulrazzak, a Syrian antique dealer from Amouda, has become a beacon of support for refugees arriving in Luxembourg. Known for his warm, friendly demeanor, Halim has volunteered at Hall 6 in Luxexpo since he arrived as the 41st resident in 2015. His experience as a displaced person gives him a unique understanding of the challenges newcomers face, and his language skills allow him to assist refugees in crucial ways, such as translating at medical appointments and helping them navigate local services. Halim left Syria reluctantly, hoping to eventually reunite with his wife and two daughters. During his journey, he was deeply affected by the difficult conditions faced by other displaced people, especially those he encountered living on the streets of Izmir, Turkey. Driven to help, he used his contacts to secure food, clothing, and essentials for these individuals, a project he named Musicare, which he continues to coordinate from Luxembourg. Halim’s dedication to peace and compassion has been recognized by the Luxembourg Peace Prize, which awarded him the title of Outstanding Peace Activist, a moment of honor that moved him to tears.

Asma Khalifa
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2016
Asma Khalifa is a Libyan activist and researcher. She has been working in civil society on human rights, women’s rights and youth empowerment since 2011.
Since then Asma became a research student in MA – Peace and Conflict studies-, and has started to work on peacebuilding and conflict transformation.Asma is a co-founder at Tamazight Women Movement, a think/do tank that is working on gender equality and research on the indigenous women of Libya and North Africa.Asma is a capacity builder for Libyan activists in peace building and non-violence.
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Omar Abou Baker
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2016
Omar was acknowledged to be an International Ambassador of Peace by the Universal Circle of the Ambassadors of Peace during the Youth World Peace Forum in Cairo 2015. He was honored by this acknowledgment due to the efforts in spreading the culture of peace, tolerance and coexistence in the framework of Heliopolis Chorus. The Chorus started in 2006 under the auspices of Heliopolis Association, as one of the initiatives that seek to develop the artistic capabilities of the creative youth and children.
The chorus aims its members to be the ambassadors for Egyptian youth, and will bring the message of love, peace and coexistence to the world.Omar was the President of the General Assembly at the Model of United Nations in The British University in Egypt for 2014/2015 and he is currently the International understanding and Peace promotion coordinator of Rotaract Egypt (D2451).

Rondine Cittadella della Pace
Luxembourg Peace Prize 2016
RONDINE is a concept that proposes the road to conflict resolution, demonstrating its value with the tangible and concrete experience of its International Hall of Residence.The mission of Rondine:“Promoting conflict resolution through the humanization of one`s “enemy”.The Association Rondine Cittadella della Pace has been active since 1997 in the field of conflict resolution and intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The Association is set in Rondine, a small Italian medieval village on the banks of the river Arno, Tuscany. Here, the association runs its International Hall of Residence: 30 university students from over 20 different nationalities, cultures, and religions from conflict areas (Balkans, Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, etc), who experience a life of coexistence and university study, supported by an intensive and innovative training program to interreligious dialogue and conflict resolution.They complete their academic studies in an Italian university while living together in the Cittadella della Pace, where they attend the training course aimed at reconciliation and peaceful coexistence between different cultures and religions.

H.E. Serigne Saliou Cisse
Peace Prize 2016
Mr. Cisse is a young Senegalese, Ambassador-at-Large in International Human Rights Commission and Privat International Consultant & Lobbyist focusing on International Business Consulting and Lobbying in the field of diplomacy, foreign Relation, Politic, Finance, Trade, Communication and Humanitarian issue.Mr. Cisse is dealing with international Businessman Company and Government contacts to advise theme on the planning, implementation, and management of private and commercial, and promoting bilateral cooperation.



