What is the Prize for Peace and Humanity?
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Prize for Peace and Humanity was created in 1987 by the Council of Delegates, following a proposal from the Algerian Red Crescent the preceding year. It can be awarded to both National Societies and to individual persons in the Movement.
The purpose of the Prize is to reward outstanding contributions to respect for the Movement’s motto ‘Per Humanitatem ad Pacem’ (Through Humanity to Peace), that is, to a more peaceful world through humanitarian work and promotion of the Movement’s ideals. These contributions – of international, national or local scope – must be characterized by decisive and practical efforts by an individual or a National Society to safeguard and strengthen peace, and to resist forces violating or threatening it, inspired by the 1975 ‘Programme of Action of the Red Cross [and Red Crescent] as a Factor of Peace’ and the 1984 ‘Fundamental Guidelines for the contribution of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to a true peace in the world’
When awarded to an individual person, the Henry Dunant Medal should preferably be given to living individuals so that they know the recognition of their peers and of the Movement for their exceptional work and can be honoured as inspiring examples for others. The Prize may be awarded posthumously to a person who has died recently in accordance with the conditions set out in the Regulations and Guidelines for awarding the Prize.
The Standing Commission is empowered to award a maximum of two Prizes for Peace and Humanity every four years. The ceremony for presentation of the recipients normally takes place at a plenary session of a Council of Delegates.