Background
Women are disproportionately affected by violent conflict. But rather than being passive victims, they have made important contributions towards rebuilding peace in their communities. For the most part, however, women’s roles in peace processes have been constrained by their lack of access to the highest levels of decision-making.
Aim
The Prize is being launched as part of a major international campaign entitled "Women Building Peace: From the Village Council to the Negotiating Table" to promote the role of women in peacebuilding. It will both recognise and honour the work of individual women and organisations engaged in conflict prevention/resolution and peacebuilding work, particularly at the grassroots level. In addition, it will highlight to the international community the significant role that women are playing in peacebuilding and the need for their inclusion at all levels of the peace process.
The Prize
This year the Millennium Peace Prize for Women will be given to 3 organisations and 3 individuals who have made a significant and substantial contribution to peacebuilding. The awards will be given to those who have supported efforts to promote women’s human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations and to advance women’s leadership in peacebuilding processes at the community, national and/or international levels. In recognition of their work, the 3 organisations will each receive a substantive monetary award that will support and enable them to further develop their peacebuilding initiatives. Individual winners will each receive a statuette. It is envisaged that the Prize will be awarded every 3 to 5 years.
The Prize Selection Committee
The Prize Selection Committee will be composed of approximately 11 individuals, known for their outstanding contributions to the issue of women and peacebuilding. The winners will be drawn from both the North and the South and from a wide variety of backgrounds, including the global women’s movement, the media, government, the literary arts and the academic/research and development/peacebuilding communities.
Nomination Process
Prize nominees must be involved in work for the promotion of peacebuilding, conflict prevention and related activities. Special account will be taken of women who have contributed in courageous and innovative ways to peacebuilding and women’s leadership processes. Nominations for this year’s awards are invited from individuals, women’s organizations and groups involved in peacebuilding and related activities. Nominations should reach the Campaign Secretariat by 29th September 2000.
Guidelines for selection of prize-winning organisations:
® the organisation or group should have been in existence for at least 2 years;
® they must have a track record of promoting the human rights of women and girls in conflict situations;
® they must demonstrate innovative approaches to address questions of women and peacebuilding;
® they must be working with, or have strong links to grassroots initiatives to build peace.
Guidelines for nominating individuals:
® individuals must have made a substantial and/or sustained commitment to peacebuilding at the grassroots;
® they should have contributed towards deepening the understanding and support for promoting the leadership of women in decision-making processes for peace.
NOMINATION FORM FOR MILLENNIUM PEACE PRIZE FOR WOMEN
Nomination for Individual/s Nomination for organisation/s
A. How to nominate
Nominations can be sent by post, e-mail or fax to the international Campaign Secretariat:-Millennium Peace Prize for Women
Feyzi Ismail
International Alert
1 Glyn Street
London SE 11 5HT
UK
Tel: +44 (020) 7 793 8383
Fax: +44 (020) 7 793 7975
Email: [email protected]
B. Information required
Please provide the following information:
Name of candidate:
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:Please provide brief particulars of the candidate including a short description of accomplishments and initiatives in the field of peacebuilding and related activities that the candidate has achieved.
Please state clearly the reasons why you think the candidate merits the Award.