Zayed Award for Human Fraternity invites nominations for $1million prize money

Pope Francis and Egypt's Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb greet each other after signing documents during the Human Fraternity Meeting at the Founders Memorial in Abu Dhabi in February 2019. AFPShow more

Nominations are open for a $1 million UAE award that recognises the efforts of individuals who work to promote peace and equality.

On Monday, the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity (HCHF) launched the 2021 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

The last date for nominations is December 1 and the winners will be announced on February 4, 2021.

The award was created in 2019 to recognise outstanding work by individuals or entities who are committed to human progress.

Last year, it was awarded to Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar.

The two leaders were presented with the award after the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

This is the first time the award is open to nominations.

Nominations for the award can be made by members of government, former heads of state, supreme court judges, UN leaders, leading academic and cultural figures, the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity members and international NGO heads.

"Our world is suffering and this award will help recognise people and institutions and bring everyone together to advance humanity and peace," Adama Dieng, former UN special adviser on the Prevention of Genocide told The National.

“We cannot say in one word how important the award has become.

“We are delighted to invite nominations for the 2021 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

“The award is an opportunity to recognise people around the world who are deeply committed to initiatives that bring people together and promote peaceful co-existence.

“The judging committee will consider people or entities anywhere in the world who are leading by example.”

The winners will be decided by an HCHF-appointed independent committee of experts.

The committee includes former presidents and world leaders such as Catherine Samba-Panza, the former president of the Central African Republic and Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, former vice president of Indonesia.

“Human beings are at their best when we are working together,” said HCHF member and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee.

“I am proud to be a member of the HCHF because it is committed to bringing people together.”