Call for nominations for the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence -2014

UNESCO launches appeal to governmental and non-governmental entities, civil society actors and individuals active in strengthening foundations for peace and tolerance and to all who are committed to respect for diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human, to propose candidates for the 2014 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. It is awarded every two years to individuals, institutions and other entities or non-governmental organizations that have made exceptional contributions and demonstrated leadership in the promotion of tolerance and non-violence. The closing date for submissions is 2 June 2014 at midnight.

The Prize was established in 1995 on the occasion of the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. The creation of the Prize has been inspired by the ideals of UNESCO’s Constitution that proclaims that “peace, if it is not to fail, must be founded on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind”.  1995 was also the year when UNESCO Member States adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance that proclaimed that “Tolerance is harmony in difference” which “makes peace possible” and “contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace”. In recognition of a lifelong devotion to the cause of communal harmony and peace, the Prize bears the name of its generous benefactor Madanjeet Singh, who was a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Indian artist, writer and diplomat.

The Prize carries a monetary award of USD 100,000. Winners also receive a certificate highlighting the major contributions for which it is awarded. The awardees are officially recognized at a ceremony that is held at UNESCO Headquarters on the International Day for Tolerance, celebrated every year on 16 November, at which they are invited to deliver an acceptance speech.

Member States or Associate Members of UNESCO, non-governmental organizations and foundations that maintain official relations with UNESCO, especially those whose activities fall within the scope of the Prize, as well as former laureates of the Prize, qualified eminent personalities and any suitable person or civil society organization working for the advancement of a culture of peace, human rights, non-violence and tolerance in the world are invited to nominate candidates.

According to its Statutes, candidates should be men, women, institutions or non-governmental organizations that have distinguished themselves through particularly remarkable initiatives extending over several years to promote the understanding and solution of international or national problems in a spirit of tolerance and non-violence.

The 2014 award ceremony will be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in November 2014, the exact date will be announced in due time.

The nomination form must be completed in either English or French - the working languages of the UNESCO Secretariat - on the basis of the provisions contained in its “Note for the Nominators. You are kindly requested to return it, duly signed and stamped, and no later than 2 June 2014.

Each candidate nomination must include an explanation of the choice on the basis of the goals and objectives clearly defined in the Statutes. Additional materials (publications, video, audio and other teaching materials, etc.) may be attached to the nomination form

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