2015
PUBLIC PEACE PRIZE LAUREATES (WINNERS)

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Dr. Vasanth Vijajji Maharaj

2015 Public Peace Prize Laureate
in the Internationally-reputed Peacemaker category

In the INTERNATIONALLY-REPUTED PEACEMAKER category, the big winner is Dr. VASANTH VIJAJJI MAHARAJ: the public granted him 86 % of support in his category, which is 24 times the minimum number of points required to become a finalist in this category.

This spiritual leader, adored by crowds in his native India, moves followers with his message of harmony, unity and brotherly love for reconciliation and peace between families, citizens and nations. His vision for the future is to offer all children and youth of the world the opportunity to be educated in the ways of peace and non-violence. 

Read profile:
https://publicpeaceprize.org/dr-vasanth-vijaji-maharaj/

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Mabel Katz

2015 Public Peace Prize Laureate
in the Peace Weaver category

In the PEACE WEAVER category, the laureate is Mabel KATZ, who collected 7 times the number of points required to be a finalist in this category.

Born in Argentina and living in Los Angeles, Mabel Katz is an author and speaker who teaches a Hawaiian spiritual practice that delivers a message of hope that has touched thousands of people:  Peace begins with Me…. Peace within Me brings peace to the world. She believes that respect for differences, which is essential to peace, must begin with our children.

Read profile:
https://publicpeaceprize.org/mabel-katz/
Español
https://publicpeaceprize.org/espanol/mabel-katz/

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IBAKWE group

2015 Public Peace Prize Laureate
in the Solidarity Peace Group category

In the SOLIDARITY PEACE GROUP category, the laureate is the Rwandan group IBAKWE who collected 58 % of public support (and nearly double the minimum points required to become a finalist in this category).

Audacious, courageous and quick best describes the members of this association who work with genocide survivors in Rwanda. Survivors themselves, they train “peace couples” who then train their families to become peaceful people.  Even though they belong to once-opposed ethnic groups, by focusing on innate human strengths and using love as a driving forces, they are building peace bridges across their once-divided country.

Read profile:
https://publicpeaceprize.org/ibakwe-association-in-rwanda/

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Philippe Ducros

2015 Public Peace Prize
in the Emerging Peacemaker category

The lone finalist in the EMERGING PEACEMAKER category, the playwright and photographer PHILIPPE DUCROS, from Quebec (Canada) is proclaimed laureate, having greatly exceeded the minimum number of points required in his category.

Photographer, author and playwright from Quebec, Canada, this world traveller draws inspiration from those he meets to make better known the challenges, injustices and political crises of people beyond borders and to share their aspirations for peace.

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/philippe-ducros/

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Michel Englebert

2015 Public Peace Prize Laureate
in the Local Peacemaker category

MICHEL ENGLEBERT is the Laureate in the LOCAL PEACEMAKER category. He received 47 % of the public support (and nearly double the minimum points required to become a finalist in his category).

He began his career with Doctors Without Borders. Years later, in Belgium, inspired by his own handicapped son’s particular requirements, he created a community home for handicapped adults where they can live and grow in spite of their differences with the loving support they need.

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/michel-englebert/

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2015
PUBLIC PEACE PRIZE FINALISTS

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Nina Meyerhof 

2015 Public Peace Prize Finalist
in the Internationally-Reputed Peacemaker category

A pioneer in rallying youth around the world for peace in the 21st century, this American educator founded the Children of the Earth organization, present in more than 30 countries. Her publications and achievements propose teaching models and training tools based on a conscious spirituality proposing awareness of ethical living and youth leadership for peace.

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/nina-meyerhof/

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Marie Dennis

2015 Public Peace Prize Finalist
in the Internationally-reputed Peacemaker category

A prominent figure in the international movement for peace and non-violence who lives by a contemplative spirituality rooted in solidarity, this leader has a talent for finding solutions and strategies that inspire hope in others. Her vision of fair relations between people that is also respectful of the environment is enhanced by artful intercultural and interreligious dialogue which are indispensable to peacemaking efforts.

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/marie-dennis/

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Mother Agnès Mariam-de-la-Croix

2015 Public Peace Prize Finalist
in the Internationally-reputed Peacemaker category

In the middle of the ongoing conflicts in Syria, this Lebanese nun left the tranquility of her monastery to participate in building the Mussalaha reconciliation movement, focused on finding non-violent solutions. She continues to fight to re-establish peaceful conditions within the country by proposing innovative and hope-inspiring initiatives.

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/mother-agnes-mariam-de-la-croix/

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SOA Watch group

2015 Public Peace Prize Finalist
in the Solidarity Peace Group category

A movement for non-violent resistance based in the United States and Latin America, SOA Watch continues to tirelessly pursue its goal of closing down the School of Americas, an institution well-known for having trained generations of military and police forces in methods of interrogation and torture still being used in oppressive regimes. 

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/soa-watch/

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Eileen Kerwin Jones

2015 Public Peace Prize Finalist
in the Peace Weaver category

 

Her offensive against modern-day human trafficking has pushed her into prominence since the foundation of PACT-Canada. This teacher and communicator has oriented her research and used her leadership skills to ensure that these forms of submission do not overshadow the rights and freedoms of each human being and their participation in the world. She weaves connections between justice and peace, personal freedom and collective development.

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Narine Dat Sookram

2015 Public Peace Prize Finalist
in the Local Peacemaker category

People arriving in Canada from other countries have found in him a mentor and a guide who helps them to integrate into a new country by sharing his personal determination, solidarity and commitment to peace.

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/narine-dat-sookram/

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Luke Martin

2015 Public Peace Prize Finalist
in the Local Peacemaker category

A naturally compassionate person and an excellent mediator, this peacemaker offers his leadership skills to the House of Friendship, a community centre for harmonious intercultural relations in downtown Montreal, Canada.

Read profile:

https://publicpeaceprize.org/luke-martin/

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The candidate who received the most support in his or her category was proclaimed Public Peace Laureate in that category.

The support for each candidate was evaluated according to a proportional calculation*, taking into account the attendance profile, the number and quality of the comments and activity on the site and other social media was included in the calculations.

During the voting period from December 4th to December 18^th, the public posted 143,633 endorsements in support of the 12 finalists presented. Each finalist, therefore, obtained a certain number of points in these different categories.

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* Evaluation Process – Each candidate received points in each category during the three days following the publication of his or her profile on the site, which were counted according to how many visitors there were on the site and other social media.

Categories and the minimum points required in 2015

500 points         Local Peacemaker

750 points           Solidarity Peace Group

1000 points       Emerging Peacemaker

1500 points        Peace Weaver

2000 points        Internationally-reputed Peacemaker

 

Note: Initially 24 Peacemakers were nominated, but only 12 Peacemakers received sufficient support from at least 10 different people in order to become finalists. The other 12 people that didn’t become finalists last year can be nominated again for 2016.

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It’s already time to nominate candidates for 2016!

The nomination period for the 2016 edition of the Public Peace Prize is now open until May 30th, 2015. You can already be on the lookout for people or groups who are building community, weaving connections in populations facing conflict, promoting peace education and fostering a culture of peace. A maximum of only 24 finalists will be accepted for the 2016 competition, so send your nominations in as soon as possible!

Read all the details on the website :
https://publicpeaceprize.org/how-to-nominate-a-new-candidate/

Español
https://publicpeaceprize.org/es-el-momento-de-nominar-los-candidatos-para-2016/