Perhaps it is time to start thinking about who should be nominated for the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education? While I think not enough people are aware of it, this prize is an important form of recognition of the critical need for Peace Education in modern society. The prize was first awarded in 1981. Here’s a brief excerpt from UNESCO’s Peace Education Prize page describing the qualities of an acceptable candidate:

Candidates, who shall not be subject to any discrimination whatsoever on the grounds of nationality, religion, race, gender or age, shall have made a significant contribution to alerting public opinion and mobilizing the consciences of humankind in the cause of peace. Candidates shall have distinguished themselves through outstanding action, carried out in accordance with the spirit of UNESCO and the United Nations Charter, extending over several years and confirmed by international public opinion, in the following fields:

– the mobilization of consciences in the cause of peace;
– the implementation, at international or regional level, of programmes of activity designed to strengthen peace education by enlisting the support of public opinion;
– the launching of important activities contributing to the strengthening of peace;
– educational action to promote human rights and international understanding;
– the alerting of public opinion to the problems of peace through the media and other effective channels;
– any other activity recognized as essential to constructing the defences of peace in people’s minds (Rule 3.1 of the General Rules).

The nomination form will be available online as of October/November 2009. For more information, please contact: peace&security@unesco.org