Pope Francis urges the Zayed Award judging committee to act on human fraternity

Vatican City: His Holiness Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, received the 2023 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity judging committee at the Vatican to discuss the significance of the award in promoting human fraternity on a global scale, including the protection of women’s rights.

Pope Francis, a 2019 honorary recipient of the award, told the six diverse judging committee members: “Your work is important in advancing the message of human fraternity.” His Holiness stressed the importance of the global award for humanity and urged the committee members to do their part to advance the rights of women.

“It is important in your work to uphold the dignity of women as women’s rights are often outlined on paper, but not practised in reality,” said Pope Francis, who also highlighted the ongoing crisis in Haiti, urging the international community to support the country. Haitian organization the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL) was awarded the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity in 2022.

For their part, the judging committee members expressed their appreciation for His Holiness Pope Francis’ co-signing of the historic Document on Human Fraternity in 2019, alongside His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The members shared how each of them in their respective fields are upholding the Document on Human Fraternity’s principles.

The members affirmed that the values outlined in the Document will serve as a source of guidance during their ongoing selection process of the honoree(s) for the fourth edition of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. 

The members of the independent judging committee are United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos; former Vice President of Costa Rica H.E. Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr; Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Holy See His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi; 2015 Nobel Peace Laureate and entrepreneur Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui; and Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Secretary-General and Muslim Council of Elders Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam.

On behalf of the committee, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said: “We are extremely grateful to His Holiness Pope Francis for his continued support of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. His Holiness presents a real and unique example of a man of peace and continues to bring people together from different walks of life, with the feeling that we are all members of the same human family.

H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, “It is a great honor and privilege to be part of this important jury. Fraternity guides our respect and understanding of each other. Today we will find an honoree shining with the values and principles outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity, able to practically implement their vision, and to give people hope.”

His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said: “With our work at the judging committee, we aim to support this mission and recognize that the only way to ensure a brighter and more peaceful future is to demonstrate and support solidarity, coexistence, and respect for one another. The award represents an important platform to support these values.”

Dr Epsy Campbell Barr, “There are many challenges facing our world, but this award is a source of inspiration. It highlights and supports the people fighting against discrimination while working towards peace and fraternity. We have most recently seen the impact of this Award in Haiti, where our sisters in FOKAL are continuing to create a just, equitable for the women and youth. The award is a source of inspiration to support women’s rights.”

Mr Kailash Satyarthi, “This award reaffirms the message that hope, truth, peace and love will always prevail against hatred. The honorees show us how we can learn to walk together in the world, speaking out for the most vulnerable in our communities, especially children, and deepening the values of human fraternity.

Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui added, “I am proud as women to be part of this award’s jury. An award that has been won by several female human fraternity pioneers. They are proof that women can instil peace in the world.”

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent and international award recognizing people and entities of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, that are working selflessly and tirelessly across divides to strengthen real human connection and spearhead breakthroughs towards peaceful coexistence.

The award was launched in 2019 to mark the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity. The award is named in honour of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, renowned for his humanitarianism and dedication to helping people no matter their background.

Previous award honorees include Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb (honorary recipients) in 2019; United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Moroccan French activist against extremism Latifa Ibn Ziaten in 2021; Their Majesties King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and Haitian humanitarian organization, the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL) in 2022. 

The judging committee are in Rome to continue their deliberations on the 2023 award honoree(s) – to be announced next month. The honoree(s) will be awarded USD $1 million (AED3m) in support of their efforts, and for the continuation of their work in, advancing human fraternity, collaborating across divides, and driving real progress.