International Peace Award

The United Nations Association of Australia presents the International Peace Award to an outstanding individual as part of the Media Peace Awards in recognition of their efforts to promote peace and resolve conflict.

Please find below a list of past recipients of the International Peace Award.

Sergio Vieira de Mello, UN High Commissioner for Refugees

The United Nations Association of Australia (Victorian Division) International Peace Award honoured, posthumously, Sergio Vieira de Mello for his strength, bravery and dedication in establishing order in some of the world's most troubled areas.

Sergio Vieira de Mello was an experienced and widely respected humanitarian whose recent death has been mourned worldwide. He had a long-standing career with the United Nations spanning 30 years. He worked for the UN's High Commission for Refugees office in Geneva as well as serving in Bangladesh, Sudan, Cyprus, Mozambique, Peru and Cambodia.

In 1999 Mr Vieira de Mello served as the Chief United Nations official in Kosovo helping to restore peace during the collapse of the Yugoslav province. In 2000 he led the UN's operations in East Timor, overseeing the territory's difficult transition to full independence.

At the request of Secretary General Kofi Annan, Sergio Vieira de Mello took temporary leave from his position as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to head the UN delegation in post-war Iraq. In this, his final mission, Mr Vieira de Mello believed that the UN had a key role to play in establishing peace and democracy in Iraq. It is hoped that this mission will be accomplished.

His exceptional contribution in rebuilding war-devastated societies has brought peace in the most bitter of international conflicts. His passion and tenacity to the peaceful mechanisms he championed are an inspiration to many.

Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

This award recognised the work of Mary Robinson in promoting international human rights. Ms Robinson, formerly the first female president of Ireland, served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002. As President of Ireland, she was the first Head of State to visit Rwanda in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide there and also the first Head of State to visit Somalia following the crisis there in 1992. Her work as High Commissioner ensured that human rights were made a priority within the activities of the United Nations.

Xanana Gusmao, Former Leader of East Timorese Resistance

This award was presented to Xanana Gusmao for his leadership and his commitment to peace and freedom in East Timor. Mr Gusmao is recognised for his outstanding contribution in reshaping the destiny of his country, and his leadership in guiding its transition to independence during a period of conflict and turmoil.

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

This award was presented to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso for his continuous effort to resolve conflict through negotiation, diplomacy and non-violence.

The United Nations Association hosted a luncheon to pay tribute to his Holiness, the Dalai Lama, during his Australian visit May 2002. This very special occasion provided a rare opportunity for the people of Melbourne and Victoria to personally pay homage to His Holiness for his inspirational leadership and promotion of peace, non-violence and inter-religious understanding throughout the world. In honour of the example he has set as both a world leader and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama was presented with the United Nations Associations International Peace Award. The Award honoured both the man and his cause. The luncheon was held in the Savoy Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. Ian Henderson, ABC Presenter, hosted the luncheon. The luncheon generated widespread media attention and was broadcast on all major National News Bulletins.

Mr Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa

This award was presented to Mr Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, in recognition of his pivotal role in the dismantling of apartheid and his exceptional contribution in helping to create a more tolerant and democratic South African society.

Dr Marjorie Mowlam, British Cabinet Minister and Secretary of State to Northern Ireland

The International Peace Award went to Dr Marjorie Mowlam, British Cabinet Minister and Secretary of State to Northern Ireland. Dr Mowlam was successful in helping to restore an IRA ceasefire and persuading Sinn Fein to join multi-party talks. She was instrumental in negotiating 1998's landmark Good Friday Agreement.

Past Australian recipients include Aboriginal leader, Pat Dodson for his work in the reconciliation process between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, and Major-General John Sanderson, the Australian who headed the UN peace-keeping force in Cambodia.