Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity?

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent global award that recognizes, supports and honors people and entities of all backgrounds working to advance the timeless values of solidarity, integrity, fairness and optimism.

The award was established following the historic meeting between Head of the Catholic Church His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb in 2019 in Abu Dhabi, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The award is named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates.

Who was Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan?

A global leader and change-maker, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a world-renowned humanitarian and conservationist who advocated respect, sustainability, education and women empowerment.

Among his many local and international achievements, Sheikh Zayed was the main driving force behind the unification of the seven independent emirates to found the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Affectionately known as the 'Father of the Nation,' he was unanimously elected by the Rulers of the other Emirates to become the first President of the UAE, a position he held for more than three decades.

Sheikh Zayed passed away in 2004, aged 86.

When was the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity created?

The award was established in 2019 following the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between , His Holiness Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church and His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

The Document is a joint declaration urging peace among all people in the world. Born out of the fraternal friendship between the two great religious figures, the Document provides a blueprint for a culture of dialogue and collaboration between faiths. The declaration intends to serve as a guide for future generations to advance a culture of mutual respect, in recognition that we are all members of one human family.

What is Human Fraternity?

The concept of human fraternity derives from the historic Document on Human Fraternity signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb. The joint declaration encompasses many noble values and heartfelt aspirations such as peace, coexistence, integrity, helping others, collaboration, philanthropy, and humanitarianism.

The Document on Human Fraternity invites people from all over the world to unite and work together to advance a culture of mutual respect guided by the belief that people are members of one human family.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity seeks to recognize the outstanding examples of human fraternity efforts taking place every day, with people and entities of all backgrounds who have endless determination to build bridges and strengthen human connection. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity recognizes people and organizations living the values of human fraternity and harnessing collective effort to enable transformative change.

Who can be nominated for the award?

Nominees for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity can be individuals and/or entities from all walks of life, who have made profound contributions toward human fraternity in communities around the world.

Who can submit a nomination?

Nominations can only be submitted by eligible nominators, including:

  • Spiritual leaders, intellectuals, and public figures
  • Members of governments or current or former heads of state
  • Members of a parliament
  • Heads of a Supreme Court
  • United Nations senior executives
  • Heads of international NGOs
  • University presidents
  • Former or current members of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity
  • Zayed Award for Human Fraternity former honorees

Nominators will be required to upload official documentation confirming eligibility to nominate. Self-nominations are not accepted.

What are the categories for the award?

There are no separate categories. It is a single annual award that goes to the honoree(s) that best meets the criteria as evaluated by the judging committee.

What will the honoree(s) of the award receive?

In addition to a trophy and an honorary certificate, the award includes USD $1 million, which can be granted to one or more honorees each year. Honorees will be celebrated at an annual ceremony hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

What are the criteria for evaluating nominations?

Nominees are assessed by the award judging committee based on the following criteria:

  • Contributions to the promotion of global values like human fraternity, solidarity of
    the human family, fairness, and world peace
  • Impact on the local community; being and creating role models
  • Innovation to find new ways to foster fraternity and collaboration
  • Recognition from international organization and community members

Who decides the honoree(s) of the award?

Honorees of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity are decided by an independent judging committee appointed annually, bringing together a range of experts from around the globe – individuals who have shown a deep commitment to advancing human fraternity.

  • An individual selected by the Pope of the Catholic Church
  • An individual selected by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar
  • An individual selected by the Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Two individuals selected from among world figures recognized for their endeavors to promote tolerance, peace, and human fraternity
  • The Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity

Who were the members of the judging committee for the 2024 award?

  • H.E. Megawati Sukarnoputri, former President of the Republic of Indonesia
  • His Eminence Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect Emeritus of the Holy See Dicastery for Oriental Churches
  • Ms. Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, Secretary-General of the United Nations
    Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom
  • Ms. Irina Bokova, Former Director-General of UNESCO
  • H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General

Who were the members of the judging committee for the 2023 award?

  • H.E. Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Under-secretary-general and High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
  • His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Holy See.
  • Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr, former Vice-President of the Republic of Costa Rica
  • Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, 2014 Nobel Peace laureate and children’s rights activist
  • Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui, 2015 Nobel Peace laureate and entrepreneur
  • H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General

Who were the members of the 2022 award judging committee?

  • H.E. José Ramos Horta, President of East Timor and Nobel Peace Laureate
  • H.E. Mahamadou Issoufou, Former President of the Republic of Niger
  • H.E. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former UN Under-Secretary-General
  • His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development at the Holy See
  • Dr. Leah Pisar, President of the Aladdin Project
  • H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General

Who were the members of the 2021 award judging committee?

  • H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza, former President of the Central African Republic
  • H.E. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, former Vice-President of the Republic of Indonesia
  • Rt. Hon. Michaelle Jean, 27th Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada
  • His Eminence Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
  • Adama Dieng, former UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
  • H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General

When will the nomination period for the 2025 award end?

Nominations for the award will close on October 31, 2024

For more information about the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, visit our website:

https://www.zayedaward.org/en

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When will the recipient(s) of the 2025 award be announced?

The honoree(s) for the 2025 edition of the award will be announced 33 in February 2025.