The Foundation sponsors a Peace Education Prize of $30,000, given annually to persons who focus on inclusive and just community-building. Nine activists, organizers, and scholars have won previous awards.
What do peace educators do? In the community, they work toward reconciliation among diverse groups and transformation of social values. In academia, they promote nonviolent conflict resolution and appreciation for human rights.
Eligible for the prize are persons who build alliances with diverse groups, devise new ways to fight discrimination, and foster positive change. These individuals are often thought to be leaders, policymakers, or nurturers of justice-oriented organizations.
The most recent winner is Dr. Eboo Patel, the president and founder of the Interfaith Youth Core. The author of three books, Patel leads initiatives to create mutual understanding between faith groups. Each year the group engages some 500 student leaders and 10,000 institutions of higher learning. He has worked extensively with President Obama on interfaith projects.