Global Leaders Come Together for the 2023 Global Pluralism Award Gala
*2023 Winners Honoured: Esther Omam (Cameroon), Red de Intérpretes y Promotores Interculturales Asociación Civil (Mexico), REFORM: The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development (Palestine)*
*OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 21, 2023 / *The *Global Centre for Pluralism* honoured the inspiring and courageous work of the laureates of its *2023 Global Pluralism Award. *With over 200 submissions received worldwide, the three winners and seven honorable mention recipients were selected by an esteemed independent, international jury. Through their remarkable and sustained achievements, the awardees contribute to building more inclusive societies in which diversity is protected worldwide, distinguishing themselves as champions of pluralism in action.
From left to right: Oday Abu Karsh, Director of REFORM: The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development; Esther Omam, Executive Director of Reach Out Cameroon; Jesús Gerardo Herrera Pérez, Director of Intercultural Advocacy of Red de Intérpretes y Promotores Interculturales Asociación Civil. Photo courtesy of the Global Centre for Pluralism.
The bi-annual ceremony was hosted at *The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat** in Ottawa* and streamed live on the Centre's website. The evening's proceedings commenced with a welcome blessing from Algonquin Anishinaabe *Elder Claudette Commanda*, Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, remarks by *Meredith Preston McGhie*, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism and *Dr. Marwan Muasher*, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Jordan. The distinguished assembly of laureates, delegates and respected guests had the honour of hearing a keynote address delivered by the Centre's Board Member, *Princess Zahra Aga Khan,* in which she emphasized the paramount significance of pluralism in today's global climate.
"A society made stronger by the diversity that defines it - that is a value that Canada has embraced both at home and in the world, while acknowledging that this is not easy and that there is much work to be done, " *said Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Board Member of the Global Centre for Pluralism*. "This principle may feel far off in our troubled global times, even more so when the divisions in society appear so vast. However, this is a message that the world needs to hear."
"The Award laureates' achievements are proof that even in the most difficult spaces, taking action to advance respect for diversity is not only possible, but is in all our hands.* said Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism*. "Laureates challenge their own communities, and all of us, to see beyond singular notions of identity, to think differently about how to engage with "the other" and collectively overcome division.
The evening's ceremony was emceed by *Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor of CTV National News, Omar Sachedina*. Over 200 guests gathered at the event in Ottawa to magnify and honour the impacts of these innovators and leaders fostering pluralism in some of the world's most challenging contexts, including dignitaries, ambassadors and political leaders.
Dedicated to recognizing pluralism in action, the award presentation highlighted the remarkable contributions of this year's honorees: *Esther Omam *(Cameroon), a tireless peacebuilder, mediator, and human rights defender uniting women and youth to advocate for peace; *Red de Intérpretes y Promotores Interculturales Asociación Civil* (Mexico), an Indigenous youth collective in Oaxaca combating exclusion by offering crucial Indigenous language interpretation in legal proceedings; and *REFORM: The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development* (Palestine), a non-governmental organization fostering unity and empowerment among diverse groups in Palestine.
*The 2023 Global Pluralism Award Honourable Mentions (alphabetical):*
*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)* 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)* 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) *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)* 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.
*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/.
This material is distributed by Pantano Media & Marketing on behalf of The Global Centre for Pluralism. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
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*SOURCE:* Global Centre for Pluralism
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