Pax Christi International is dedicated to honouring individuals who advocate for peace, justice, and nonviolence worldwide.
Pax Christi International’s member organizations often share the stories of renowned peace heroes like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day, Franz Jägerstätter, and the martyrs of El Salvador.
However, our recognition isn’t limited to historical figures. Each year, Pax Christi International presents a peace award to a contemporary individual or organization actively working against violence and injustice, typically at the grassroots level.
Peace Award 2024: Haiti Justice and Peace Commission and Sr. Gladys Montesinosmetodica2025-03-07T12:55:45+01:00
The Haiti Justice and Peace Commission (JILAP) is a social pastoral organization of the Catholic Church in Haiti, committed to promoting human dignity and rights. Sister Gladys Montesinos is a Peruvian Carmelite missionary supporting various Indigenous populations in the Bolivian Amazon. Read more here.
Peace Award Laureates 1988-2023
Peace Award Laureates 1988-2023
2023 – The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF)Communications2025-03-07T12:58:37+01:00
The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) is a collaborative Israeli-Palestinian organisation comprising more than 700 families, all of whom have lost a close family member due to the continuing conflict. Furthermore, the PCFF firmly believes that the process of reconciliation between the two nations is an essential precondition for attaining a lasting peace. Consequently, the organisation employs all available resources in the fields of education, public gatherings, and the media to disseminate these concepts. Read more here.
2022 – Concordia Social Projectsmetodica2024-08-15T11:44:27+02:00
An organization present in several central and eastern European countries that works directly to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families. Concordia works with an extensive network of volunteers to provide rapid assistance to children in need.
2021 – Catholic Radio Networkmetodica2024-08-15T11:45:04+02:00
in South Sudan, a radio network that connects community-based radio stations to share trustworthy news and promote civic engagement. Established in 2006, it also provides valuable public education about the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and democratic processes, which are critical for the world’s newest country. It has a reach of upward of 7 million people across the region. The CRN delivers programming that promotes reconciliation and the healing of trauma to the people of South Sudan.
2020 – Pacific Climate Warriorsmetodica2024-08-15T11:45:43+02:00
a vibrant network of young people who live in 17 Pacific island nations and diaspora communities in the United States, New Zealand and Australia.
Their mission is to peacefully raise awareness of their communities’ vulnerability to climate change, to show their people’s strength and resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges, and to nonviolently resist the fossil fuel industry whose activities damage their environment.
Their mission is to peacefully raise awareness of their communities’ vulnerability to climate change, to show their people’s strength and resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges, and to nonviolently resist the fossil fuel industry whose activities damage their environment.
2019 – European Lawyers in Lesvosmetodica2024-08-15T11:46:11+02:00
the largest provider of legal assistance to asylum seekers in Lesvos and the primary provider of legal assistance to unaccompanied minors who have been incorrectly registered as adults. ELIL was founded in June 2016 by the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) and the German Bar Association (DAV).
2018 – No Boundaries Coalitionmetodica2024-08-15T11:46:48+02:00
a nonprofit organisation connecting several diverse West Baltimore (Maryland, USA) neighbourhoods focused on public safety, access to healthy food, accountability of elected officials and voter registration drives. In 2016, in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, a young African American man who died while in police custody in April 2015, they published “Over Policed Yet Underserved: The People’s Findings Regarding Police Misconduct in West Baltimore,” which was ultimately cited by the U.S. Department of Justice and reported to the United Nations.
2017 – ZODEVITE, the Movimiento Indígena del Pueblo Creyente Zoque en Defensa de la Vida y la Tierra (the Indigenous Movement of the Zoque Believing People in Defense of Life and the Earth)metodica2024-08-15T11:47:21+02:00
As representatives of a wider movement, MOVEDITE, composed of indigenous groups, that in recent years has waged a nonviolent campaign to stop fracking, oil exploitation and mining business in southern Mexico.
2016 – Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace of Pakistan and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistanmetodica2024-08-15T11:47:38+02:00
As representatives of the nonviolent struggle of the human rights community in Pakistan and for their clear and courageous stand against persistent patterns of violence and human rights violations.
2015 – The Women, Peace and Security Collective for Reflection and Action in Colombiametodica2024-08-15T11:48:00+02:00
For making visible and encouraging the essential contribution of women to peacebuilding in their country.
2014 – Jesuit Refugee Service Syriametodica2024-08-15T11:48:16+02:00
For its outstanding dedication in providing emergency relief to Syrians since the war began in 2011 and for promoting peace and reconciliation among divided communities in the country.
2013 – International Memorial Societymetodica2024-08-15T11:48:41+02:00
A historical and civil rights society in Russia, for its outstanding work in keeping alive the memory of the victims of political repression in Russia’s recent history and for its deep commitment to human rights in the country.
2012 – Msgr. Dr. John Onaiyekanmetodica2024-08-15T11:49:09+02:00
Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria, for his efforts in promoting understanding between people of different faiths through dialogue in Africa, and particularly in his country, Nigeria.
2011 – PONTANIMAmetodica2024-08-15T11:49:27+02:00
Interreligious choir from Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina, illustrating the peace-building potential of religions and the healing power music brings to people who suffer.
2010 – Msgr. Louis Sakometodica2024-08-15T11:49:50+02:00
Chaldean Archbishop of Kirkuk, Iraq, for being a prominent defender of Iraq’s endangered minorities and a staunch advocate of the difficult democratization and reconciliation process in Iraq.
2009 – Ms. Justine Masika Bihambametodica2024-08-15T11:50:30+02:00
In Goma, North Kivu (DRCongo), for her work improving the lives of rural women, defend human rights and assist victims of war, especialy women who have been targeted by acts of sexual violence.
2008 – Franciscan Dom Luiz Flávio Cappiometodica2024-08-15T11:50:56+02:00
Bishop of Barra in the state of Bahia, Brazil, for his nonviolent action in favour of the fisher folk and river inhabitants endangered by the Sâo Francisco river transposition project, as well as to the local community itself that was so active in the movement against the river transposition project.
2007 – The Women’s Active Museum on War and Peacemetodica2024-08-15T11:51:18+02:00
In Tokyo, Japan (link), for its outstanding efforts to reveal Japan’s wartime crimes and its creation of the site of remembrance for peace, with a firm focus on the experiences of sexual violence against women in war and conflict.
2006 – Ms Ogarit Younanmetodica2024-08-15T11:51:44+02:00
A founding member of the Lebanese Association for Civil Rights as well as the Arab Non-Violence Network, for her zeal in promoting non-violence and democracy through housing initiatives and publications.
2006 – Mr Rami Khourymetodica2024-08-15T11:52:22+02:00
A Palestinian-Jordanian and veteran editor, columnist and reporter for the Lebanese English Language Paper, the Daily Star, for his work (among other things) as a member of the Brookings Institution Task Force on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World and a frequent lecturer on Middle Eastern issues at conferences and universities throughout the world.
2005 – Jacques Delorsmetodica2024-08-15T11:52:50+02:00
a French statesman and former European Commission President for his vision and contribution to peace and security on the continent, in addition to his efforts in strengthening Europe’s role in peace building around the world.
2004 – Sergio Vieira de Mellometodica2024-08-15T11:53:16+02:00
the Brazilian UN High Commissioner for Human Rights And UN Special Representative in Iraq, for being a champion of peace and human dignity worldwide and for giving his life to his work.
2003 – Franjo Starcevicmetodica2024-08-15T11:53:47+02:00
For founding the Peace School in Mrkopalj, Croatia.
2002 – Father Roberto Layson (Philippines)metodica2024-08-15T11:54:24+02:00
For building a culture of peace among Christians, Muslims and indigenous people in an area of armed conflict.
2001 – Eddie Kneebonemetodica2024-08-15T11:54:50+02:00
For promoting reconciliation between young Australians.
2001 – Ms Teesta Setavaldmetodica2024-08-15T11:55:15+02:00
An Indian journalist and tireless campaigner for greater inter-religious dialogue in Asia.
2000 – Ann Pettifor and Laura Vargasmetodica2024-08-15T11:55:44+02:00
From the United Kingdom and Peru respectively, for their work on the Jubilee 2000 campaign to cancel the debts of developing countries.
1999 – The Clonard Fitzroy Fellowshipmetodica2024-08-15T11:56:04+02:00
From Northern Ireland, for their Catholic-Presbyterian initiative to unite people in a divided community.
1998 – Laurien Ntezimana and Father Modeste Mungwararebametodica2024-08-15T11:56:35+02:00
For training young leaders in Rwanda to be agents of reconciliation between ethnic groups.
1997 – Father Domingos Soares and Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruzmetodica2024-08-15T11:57:08+02:00
For their work on education, development and dignity of people in poor communities in East Timor.
1996 – Franjo Komarica, bishop of Banja Luka, Hadzi Halilovic, mufti of Banja Luka (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Jelena Santic (Serbia) and Gordana Stojanovic (Croatia)metodica2024-08-15T11:57:36+02:00
For promoting reconciliation amidst the hostilities.
1995 – Janina Ochojskametodica2024-08-15T11:58:02+02:00
Founder of the Poland Humanitarian Action, for organising humanitarian relief convoys to Chechnya and the former Yugoslavia.
1994 – Father José Mpundu E’Bootometodica2024-08-15T11:58:33+02:00
From Zaire, co-founder of the Groupe Amos, for fighting against corruption and promoting justice, peace and democracy.
1993 – Ray Williams and Dorraine Booth-Williamsmetodica2024-08-15T11:59:43+02:00
From the USA, members of the Swinomish American Indian nation, for promoting the cultures and traditions of indigenous peoples in Central, North and South America.
1992 – Joaquim Pinto de Andrademetodica2024-08-15T11:59:26+02:00
Founding member of the Popular Movement for the Liberation in Angola, for his advocacy for freedom and civil rights and for his contribution to the post-war reconstruction of his country.
