February 19, 2019
Today we are pleased to announce that Dr. John Paul Lederach, HU Senior Fellow and Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding at the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, has been chosen to receive the 36th Niwano Peace Prize, an annual award that honors and encourages those who are devoting themselves to interreligious cooperation in the cause of peace.
As part of the Niwano Peace Foundation’s annual process for the award, hundreds are contacted for nominations, and an international selection committee determines the final award. Dr. Lederach was selected for his achievements in mediating conflicts, building peace, and fostering international reconciliation and inter-religious cooperation for more than 30 years, often in some of the world’s most violently-conflicted regions.
“I am grateful and humbled to receive this prestigious award. I owe so much to those who have influenced me along my journey, and now I hope this recognition is an opportunity to encourage others,” Lederach said. “With complicated issues growing globally, now more than ever we must invest in future generations to help bring about peaceful change.”
Dr. Lederach will accept the award at a formal ceremony on May 8, 2019 in Tokyo. There he will receive a traditional medal, certificate and 20 million yen as part of the award. He will deliver a speech to the Niwano Peace Foundation, Japanese dignitaries and global peace leaders that will be made available to the public.
“Dr. Lederach’s work has been a significant source of inspiration for me and others, for many years. His principles, based on his deep experience, helped form the foundational approach of Humanity United’s work,” said Pam Omidyar, founder of Humanity United. “John Paul’s ability to deeply listen, imagine possibilities, and commit to long-term engagement, has been instrumental in transforming violent conflict into stability and peace.”
As Senior Fellow at HU, Dr. Lederach explores approaches to peacebuilding that emphasize the courage, imagination, and agency of local actors to transform cycles of violence into durable peace and human flourishing.