22. Sérgio Vieira de Mello Prize

This year, several dozen nominations were submitted for the Award. The nominees included individuals and organisations from around the world working to promote peace, human rights, and dialogue between religions and cultures.

The Jury included representatives of the President of the Republic of Poland; the Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil; the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Poland; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Commissioner for Human Rights; the Mayor of Kraków; the Consul General of the United States in Kraków; ZNAK Publishing House; the Award’s sponsors and initiators; as well as the Chair of the Board and the Director of the Willa Decjusza Association.

Ece Temelkuran – a Turkish writer, political thinker and journalist whose work reminds us that compassion is a political force and kindness is a form of resistance to a world indifferent to suffering. Her books, translated into numerous languages, inspire readers around the world to defend democracy, solidarity and social awareness.

Truth Hounds (On behalf of the Ukrainian organisation, the award was accepted by Oksana Pokalchuk.) The organisation’s team documents war crimes and works to ensure justice for the victims of armed conflict. Their work reminds us that truth and accountability are the foundations of peace.