The International Children’s Peace Prize is awarded yearly to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable acts and thoughts have made a difference in countering problems which affect children around the world. The prize is an initiative of the Dutch organization KidsRights and was launched in 2005 in Rome by the Nobel Peace Laureates headed by Mikhail Gorbachev.
During their annual World Summit in Rome in November 2005, the Nobel Peace Prize winners headed by Mikhail Gorbachev launched the International Children’s Peace Prize. All attending Nobel Lauretes and all Nobel Peace Prize winning organizations, including Unicef, the Red Cross, and the United Nations, welcomed this new instrument in the fight for children’s rights.
Also present was pop icon Sting, who commented “I think the concept of a peace prize for kids is a wonderful idea. It’s children who will inherit the earth. The sooner children can be galvanized to think that they can make a difference, the better it is. I fully support that.” To which his friend Bob Geldof added: “There are many children who are utterly brave, who fully understand what is happening. Absolutely, I think the Prize is very worth while.
To mark the occasion of awarding the International Children’s Peace Prize, KidsRights will distribute 100,000 Euro each year to a project which gives direct aid to children who have to deal with the same problems as the young laureate.
Since the first International Children’s Peace Prize was awarded in Rome in 2005 during the Summit of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, the bond with the extraordinary group of people has become all the more important for the Prize. For the Nobel Prize Laureates, the young Children’s Peace Prize Laureates offer them an opportunity to bring over their vision of a world of human rights and peace to the younger generations.
The young International Children’s Peace Prize Laureate is selected each year from nominations from all over the world. Any recognized organizations involved with children’s rights may nominate children for this Prize. Nominations from individuals are also accepted.
