Presented every two years, the Global Pluralism Award celebrates the inspiring and brave work that is helping to build more inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected. 

An independent, international jury of experts selected this year’s three winners and seven honourable mention recipients from among 200 submissions across 60 countries following a rigorous review process. 

Dr. Marwan Muasher, Award Jury Chair and Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said, “The Award winners’ work has enormous value in the world today. Pluralism is not embedded in every society or every country in the world. Those who work for pluralism, those who truly believe that diversity is a source of strength and not weakness, need to be acknowledged and celebrated.” 

Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism said, “I can think of nothing more important than recommitting to the values of pluralism and encouraging leaders everywhere to do the same. The 2023 Global Pluralism Award winners demonstrate how pluralism can be advanced with creativity and courage. I hope they are seen as examples of the leadership that is possible, even when divisions seem insurmountable.”

The three winners are:

• Esther Omam (Cameroon) – peacebuilder, mediator and human rights defender mobilizing women and young people from across Cameroon to advocate for an end to conflict;

• Red de Intérpretes y Promotores Interculturales Asociación Civil (Mexico) – Indigenous youth collective in Oaxaca, Mexico providing otherwise unavailable Indigenous language interpretation to those involved in legal proceedings in Mexico and the United States; 

• REFORM: The Palestinian Association for Empowerment and Local Development (Palestine) – non-governmental organization building solidarity between groups in Palestine by empowering them to get involved in social life and influence decision-making.