The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent and international award recognizing people and entities of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, that are working selflessly and tirelessly across divides to strengthen real human connection and spearhead breakthroughs towards peaceful coexistence.

The award was launched in 2019, to mark the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity. The award is named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, renowned for his humanitarianism and dedication to helping people no matter their background.

Sheikh Zayed was the main driving force behind the unification of the seven independent emirates, which led to the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. His life was dedicated to working closely with people from all backgrounds, regardless of religion, gender, and background. His legacy remains one of compassion, respect, and innovation - values that to this day shape the culture of the people and leadership of the UAE.

The award was established in 2019 to mark the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb and His Holiness Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, during which the Document on Human Fraternity was co-signed

There are no separate categories. It is a single annual award that goes to the honoree(s) that best meets the criteria as evaluated by the judging committee.

In addition to a trophy and an honorary certificate, the award includes USD $1 million, which can be granted to one or more honorees each year. Honorees will be celebrated at an annual ceremony hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Candidates for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity can be individuals or entities from all walks of life and all backgrounds, who have made profound contributions toward human fraternity in communities around the world.

• An intellectual, spiritual, or cultural leader
• A member of government or a current or former head of state
• A member of parliament
• The head of a Supreme Court
• A member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity
• A United Nations senior executive
• The head of an international non-governmental organization (NGO)
• A university president
• A Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honoree

Only eligible nominators can nominate candidates for the award. Nominations from eligible nominators can be submitted without invitation via the website.

Nominators will be required to upload official documentation confirming eligibility to nominate. Self-nominations are not accepted.

Nominations are assessed by the award’s judging committee based on the following criteria:

• Contributions to the promotion of global fraternity, solidarity, fairness, and world peace
• Impact on the local community; being a role model and inspiring and mentoring role models
• Innovation to find new ways to foster fraternity and collaboration
• Recognition from international organizations and community members

Honorees of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity are decided by an independent judging committee appointed annually by the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, bringing together a group of experts in peacebuilding and coexistence.

• H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Under-secretary-general and High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
• H.Em. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Holy See
• Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr, former Vice-President of the Republic of Costa Rica
• Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, 2014 Nobel Peace laureate and children’s rights activist
• Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui, 2015 Nobel Peace laureate and entrepreneur
• Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders

• H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, former president of the Republic of Niger
• H.E. José Ramos Horta, President of East Timor and Nobel Peace Laureate
• H.E. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former UN Under-Secretary-General
• H.Em. Cardinal Michael Czerny, Interim Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at the Holy See
• Dr. Leah Pisar, President of the Aladdin Project
• Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity

• H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza, former President of the Central African Republic
• H.E. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, former Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia
• Rt. Hon. Michaelle Jean, 27th Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of Canad
• H.Em. Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
• Adama Dieng, former UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
• Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity

Nominations for the awards will close on September 30, 2023.

For more information about the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, visit the website

https://www.zayedaward.org/en

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The honoree(s) for the 2024 edition of the award will be announced in February 2024.