OTTAWA, CANADA, October 25, 2023 – Independent, charitable organization Global Centre for Pluralism today announced the three winners of the 2023 Global Pluralism Award. Among them is REFORM, a non-governmental organization building solidarity between groups in Palestine and advancing the inclusion of marginalized youth and women.
An independent, international jury of experts selected this year’s three winners and seven honourable mention recipients from among 200 submissions across 60 countries following a rigorous review process. Presented every two years, the Global Pluralism Award celebrates the inspiring and brave work that is helping to build more inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected.
While REFORM’s work has been made more difficult by the current context in Palestine, the organization remains passionate and committed to its mission and continues to adjust its projects accordingly.
Oday AbuKarsh, General Director of REFORM said, "Since its inception, REFORM has been dedicated to promoting diversity and embracing differences as a valuable resource for social and cultural diversity, which in turn fosters solidarity amongst the various components of Palestinian society. We actively combat stereotyping and stigmatisation on all fronts. This award is a testament to our commitment on the right path, and we look forward to it being an international achievement for Palestine. It incentivises us to continue our courageous efforts against exclusion, power asymmetry and marginalisation. It will help in amplifying our voices to demand the restoration of democracy in Palestine."
Dr. Marwan Muasher, Award Jury Chair and Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said, “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.”
Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism said, “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.”
Founded in 2012, REFORM empowers marginalized and hard-to-reach groups through a wide range of initiatives. Its diversity and cohesion program enhances the social and political participation of stigmatized youth and women from the refugee camp, C areas (which are Israeli-controlled zones of the West Bank) and other hard-to-reach communities, while its Governance and Public Policy Program works toward more inclusive public policy processes. Other projects provide economic opportunities for women and empower women and girls to combat gender-based violence.
REFORM also trains youth in conflict transformation and empowers future leaders to respond positively to diversity. It creates safe spaces for dialogue and bridges gaps between marginalized community members and decision-makers, working towards a more peaceful and inclusive future for Palestine.
The other two winners of the 2023 Global Pluralism Award are:
· Esther Omam (Cameroon) – 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 (Mexico) – Indigenous youth collective in Oaxaca, Mexico providing otherwise unavailable Indigenous language interpretation to those involved in legal proceedings in Mexico and the United States;
The award recipients were recognized at a ceremony held in November, 2023 in Ottawa, Canada.
2023 Global Pluralism Award: Honourable Mentions
Build Up (Kenya/United States/Global) 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.
Deeyah Khan (Norway/United States) is a documentary filmmaker and activist countering extremism and fostering understanding and empathy across ideological, religious and racial divides.
The Global Interfaith Network for People of All Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions - GIN-SSOGIE (South Africa/Global) supports LGBTIQ+ people of faith from the Global South and East to advocate for an end to violence and persecution against sexual and gender minorities.
India Love Project (India) challenges exclusion and prejudice in India by sharing love stories of non-traditional unions between interfaith, inter-caste and LGBTQ+ couples on social media.
Lea Baroudi (Lebanon) is a peace mediator using art, culture and social enterprise to provide Lebanese youth with the rare opportunity to build a future outside of violent extremism and sectarianism.
Politize! Civic Education Institute (Brazil) is a non-partisan and non-profit organization tackling polarization in Brazil by producing free and unbiased political education, training civic leaders to solve public policy problems and training teachers to educate youth to become engaged citizens.
Touché (Belgium) is a social enterprise providing support to current and former prisoners and at-risk youth and, in the process, advancing a positive view of anger and aggression.
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Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs, Global Centre for Pluralism
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ABOUT THE GLOBAL CENTRE FOR PLURALISM
The Global Centre for Pluralism is an independent, charitable organization founded by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Government of Canada. The Centre works with policy leaders, educators and community builders around the world to amplify and implement the transformative power of pluralism.
ABOUT THE GLOBAL PLURALISM AWARD
The Global Pluralism Award recognizes pluralism in action. Presented every other year to individuals, organisations, governments and businesses from around the world, the Award celebrates the inspiring and brave work that is helping to build more inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected.
The Award is conferred by the Global Centre for Pluralism and made possible in part by the generous support of TD Bank Group. For more information about the Award, visit https://award.pluralism.ca/.
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