UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence
The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural, and communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence. The Prize was established in 1995 on the occasion of the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. The same year the UNESCO Member States adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance. The creation of the Prize has been inspired by the ideals of UNESCO’s Constitution which proclaims that “peace if it is not to fail, must be founded on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind”.
Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse, only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe. In recognition of a lifelong devotion to communal harmony and peace, the Prize bears the name of its benefactor Madanjeet Singh, who was a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Indian artist, writer, and diplomat. Awarded every two years, on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance (16 November), the Prize is marked by a ceremony, and the winner is presented with the sum of US$ 100,000.
Who was Madanjeet Singh
Madanjeet Singh was born on 16 April 1924 in Lahore, present-day Pakistan. He is an internationally known author of several books on art and other subjects, closely interwoven with UNESCO’s programs, principles, and ideals. He served as Ambassador of India in Asia, South America, Africa and Europe.
In 1995, in recognition of his lifelong devotion to the cause of communal harmony and peace, the UNESCO Executive Board unanimously created the biennial “UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence”. The decision was adopted at meetings in Paris and Fez (May 16 to June 4), to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
In the year 2000, Madanjeet Singh created the South Asia Foundation (SAF) to promote sustainable cultural, educational, and economic development throughout the region. Koïchira Matsuura,former UNESCO Director-General stated: “Mr. Singh’s personal commitment to fostering culture, dialogue mutual understanding and peace has served as a great source of inspiration to people of many different nations, cultures, and religions”.
In recognition of his generosity and untiring efforts to promote these noble objectives, which are also those of UNESCO, Madanieet Singh was designated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador on November 16, 2000. The great diplomat, artist, writer, and public figure Madanjeet Singh passed away on January 6, 2013. UNESCO and its Honorary and Goodwill Ambassadors are committed to continuing the pursuit of the noble causes Madanjeet Singh defended over his life.
Winner of UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize 2022
The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence, for this 2022 Edition, has been given to Franca Ma-ih Sulem Yong from Cameroon, President of the NGOs #Afrogiveness and Positive Youths Africa.
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