Global Pluralism Award ceremony honours peacebuilders

Ottawa, Canada, 27 November 2025 – Three organisations working to bridge divides in some of the world’s most fractured societies received the 2025 Global Pluralism Award at a ceremony in Ottawa this week. Seven others earned honourable mentions for their efforts to build inclusive communities.

Held at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, Princess Zahra Aga Khan was present, alongside Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand and former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. AKDN leaders were also in attendance.

His Highness the Aga Khan sent a video message, in which he spoke of the vital importance of pluralism, and encouraged learning from the diversity we encounter more each day.

“Once we take time to listen to another who we see as different from ourselves, and we start to understand their story, we may find we have more in common than we thought, and our conception of ‘we’ begins to expand.

“As we congratulate and learn more about these exceptional laureates tonight,” His Highness added, “I invite you to think about what meaningful action you can implement in your own life. Each of our choices matters in the face of our global challenges.” Read the full speech

The ceremony marked the culmination of a selection process that began with more than 300 applications from 64 countries. An international jury narrowed the field to 10 finalists in September before selecting the three winners in October.

The Southern Africa Litigation Centre, based in South Africa, was honoured for its social engagement to protect marginalised groups across a region marked by high migration levels and xenophobia. The centre provides legal support and builds local lawyer capacity to defend vulnerable populations.

Colombia Diversa earned its award for nearly two decades of advocacy securing human rights protections for LGBTQI+ people in Colombia. The organisation combines documentation of abuses during the country’s conflict with guerrillas, and public advocacy to achieve landmark victories including marriage equality and gender identity recognition.

A Land for All won recognition for promoting a confederal solution between Israelis and Palestinians through two sovereign states with open borders, equal rights and shared institutions. The organisation has built a movement of thousands from both societies around the concept of a shared homeland with mutual recognition and dignity.

Seven organisations received honourable mentions: the Artistic Freedom Initiative operating between the United States and Switzerland, Slovakia’s Cesta Von, Mexico’s Coordinadora Nacional de Mujeres Indígenas, Brazil’s Mais Diferenças, Afghanistan’s New Life Trust Organization, the international Nonviolent Peaceforce and the regional Sudanese Youth Network for Ending the War and Establishing a Democratic Civil Transformation.

Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism (GCP), said the winners demonstrated that pluralism served as a practical necessity rather than a distant ideal in addressing polarisation and conflict.

“Those that we celebrate tonight are leaders that work against exceptional odds. They work against division, against pessimism, against polarisation and against hate,” she said in her welcome remarks.

“Their work challenges us to step into our own communities, to speak to those we may prefer to avoid, to act when we see division. This is how pluralism happens.”

The 10 laureates join a community of approximately 50 award alumni recognised since the prize was established in 2017. The GCP presents the award every two years to individuals, organisations, governments and businesses advancing inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected.

Award recipients will participate in a programme of in-kind support and engagement activities throughout 2026, allowing them to expand their work and share lessons with the broader community.

Marwan Muasher, the Award’s jury chair offered concluding remarks. “I’m incredibly moved,” he said, “by the remarkable stories of courage, humility, persistence, and the belief that at our core, each human being deserves to belong.”

“This year’s laureates are operating in the most difficult contexts of our time,” he explained. “They continue to put in herculean efforts for change, despite risks to themselves, finding the smallest windows of opportunity and making sure the light still comes in.”

“They impressed us with their ability to bring about real change,” he added. “If they have not given up, how can we?”