South Africa's Institute for Justice and Reconciliation wins UNESCO award
28 May 2008 - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) selected the Institute for Justice and
Reconciliation of South Africa as this year's recipient of its Prize for Peace Education.
The Cape Town-based Institute was chosen "for its outstanding efforts in building sustainable reconciliation through
education and in addressing systemic injustice in Africa," according to the Prize jury led by Mohammed Arkoun, Professor
of History of Islamic Thought.
Founded in 2000, it seeks to promote reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa and encourage peace, and has helped
other African countries - including Rwanda, Sudan and Burundi - take part in a similar process.
The Institute works with governments, civil society and academics in countries of transition to enhance justice,
development and human security thought policy research, analysis and capacity building.
One of its key projects called "Turning Points in History" has resulted in the first comprehensive South African history
textbook for secondary schools since the end of apartheid to be published. Using oral tradition to forge a "dialogue
between perspectives," it includes personal stories.
The $40,000 prize, funded by the Nippon Foundation, seeks to boost public awareness of the need for peace. Previous
recipients include Sri Lankan judge Christopher Gregory Weeramantry, Mother Teresa, Father Emile Shoufani, Bishop Nelson
Onono-Onweng and Paulo Freire.
ENDS