Global Centre for Pluralism, an independent, charitable organization, announced three winners who have been selected as the 2023 Global Pluralism Award recipients, receiving $ 50,000 (CAD) (KES 5.5M) each to continue their work towards pluralism.
The three winners were Esther Omam from Cameroon who is a peacebuilder, mediator and human rights defender mobilizing women and young people from across Cameroon to advocate for an end to conflict, Red de Intérpretes y Promotores Interculturales Asociación Civil, an Indigenous youth collective in Mexico providing otherwise unavailable Indigenous language interpretation to those involved in legal proceedings in Mexico and the United States and REFORM: The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development, a non-governmental organization building solidarity between groups in Palestine by empowering them to get involved in social life and influence decision-making, were also feted.
Build Up, a Kenyan organization that works with peacebuilding institutions and a network of peace innovators to tackle polarization and make peacebuilding processes more inclusive of diverse voices and perspectives with a specific focus on digital technologies, were shortlisted in this year’s awards.
The organization is among the 7 others that got honourable mentions.
“The Award winners’ work has enormous value in the world today. Pluralism is not embedded in every society or every country in the world. Those who work for pluralism, those who truly believe that diversity is a source of strength and not weakness, need to be acknowledged and celebrated,”
said Dr. Marwan Muasher, Award Jury Chair and Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The Global Pluralism Award, which is presented every two years, celebrates the inspiring and brave work that is helping to build more inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected.
“I can think of nothing more important than recommitting to the values of pluralism and encouraging leaders everywhere to do the same. The 2023 Global Pluralism Award winners demonstrate how pluralism can be advanced with creativity and courage. I hope they are seen as examples of the leadership that is possible, even when divisions seem insurmountable,”
said Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism.
The award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony to be held in November in Ottawa, Canada. Each winner will receive $50,000 (CAD) to further their work in support of pluralism.
Speaking after the announcement, one of the award winners Esther Omam reaffirmed the value of the concept of ‘Leave no one behind’ and emphasized that humanity, more than ever before, should always come first.
“Our diversity is our bond and that, with pluralism, everyone can have a voice. This award symbolizes all that I fight for as a woman, a peacebuilder, and a leader in Cameroon, a country where the acceptance of our diversity and plurality can be a solution to our plight,”
she said.
An independent, international jury of experts selected the three winners and seven honourable mention recipients from among 200 submissions across 60 countries following a rigorous review process.
