Dr. Anthony Fauci, Opal Tometi, Ricky Martin, Amazonian Chief Raoni, And Vint Cerf To Be Recognized By The Inaugural International Peace Honors Presented By PeaceTech Lab
A ceremony of inspiration, recognizing global influencers whose efforts are helping to build a more just and peaceful world.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As much of our world endures natural, political and social upheaval, we are also witnessing unparalleled movements of change, as leaders from many disciplines work to advance humanity and our planet. The International Peace Honors (IPH), created by PeaceTech Lab, an award-winning non-profit organization founded by the United States Institute of Peace, will recognize some of the most outstanding global leaders and change-agents of our time. The event will be virtually hosted on Sunday, December 6, at 8:00 pm, EST.
"We live on a planet where cell phones outnumber people and 1 million new Internet users come online every day. As we continue to celebrate the International Day of Peace, we must recognize our collective responsibility as peacebuilders to do more to enlist these modern tools in solving the world's biggest challenges. This year's International Peace Honorees are innovating daily to prevent conflict, cure disease, save vulnerable children, protect the planet, and promote stability. These are the people we want to recognize; these are the people who inspire us," said Sheldon Himelfarb, President & CEO, PeaceTech Lab.
The International Peace Honors will recognize people from different backgrounds who have determinedly championed a fundamental social cause. The honorees' achievements include inspiring millions to help prevent the spread of disease, defending human rights, nature and the rights of indigenous people, using technology for the betterment of humankind, as well as leading the largest international movement to fight for equality and justice.
As we continue to commemorate International Day of Peace, declared by the United Nations as a day to strengthen the ideals of peace, and whose motto this year is "Shaping Peace Together," the announcement of the first honorees of the International Peace Honors serves as a reminder that we are global citizens and what happens in one part of the world can affect people everywhere.
This year's honorees, two of which are recognized on TIME'S 2020 list of the 100 Most Influential People, are exceptional representatives of the current fight against global events that have threatened racial justice, economic prosperity, the conservation of nature, and our collective health and safety. Among the honorees is the Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci. As a specialist in immunology, Dr. Fauci has had an impeccable career as a pioneer in the fight against HIV and other public health crises, advising every U.S. President since 1984. In addition, his clear communication, guided by science and explained simply, has made him an undisputed and highly respected world leader during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As an internationally lauded human rights champion, and one of the three women co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, digital platform, and chapter-based network, Opal Tometi will also be recognized. She is respected for her thought leadership on race, immigration, and gender. She has received an honorary PhD, and was also named among the most influential women of the century by TIME and USA Today, and one the 50 most influential People by Fortune, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan magazines. As a result of her tireless service, Tometi's name is etched in history. She spent nearly a decade serving as the first woman Executive Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), the premier immigrant rights organization for people of African descent in the United States. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants, Tometi has set her sights on an even bigger struggle: uplifting Black lives worldwide. In 2020 she founded Diaspora Rising, a digital digest focused on Black narratives and experiences around the globe. She is also focused on other social enterprises. With nearly two decades as a human rights champion, Tometi still feels her work has only just begun.
Chief Raoni Metuktire, leader of the Kayapó people, who inhabit a protected reserve in the Amazon region of Brazil, is another award recipient. Chief Raoni has become one of the most powerful environmental voices in the world through his diligent commitment to preserve the Amazon rainforest and protect indigenous cultures. His message echoes greater than ever today, in part due to increased visibility through documentaries, narrative films, and tours with great personalities such as the singer Sting, all in pursuit of raising awareness around and protecting indigenous peoples and their environments. He epitomizes PeaceTech Lab's unrelenting focus on local solutions.
Also on the list of personalities who make a difference in the world is legendary American technologist Vint Cerf, known as one of the fathers of the Internet. A visionary computer scientist and philanthropist, Cerf has dedicated himself to advancing the Web as a tool to serve humanity and increasing Internet accessibility throughout the world. He is a tireless and admired fighter for progress on issues like the digital divide, the online gender gap, and internet safety, always advocating for an ethical and socially impactful use of technology and science.
Lastly, is the international superstar Ricky Martin, a philanthropist and activist, who is also a singer, songwriter, EMMY® Award-nominated actor, two-time GRAMMY® award winner, four-time Latin GRAMMY® award winner, and New York Times bestselling author. As Founder and President of the Ricky Martin Foundation, over the past two decades, Martin has been a leading force in the fight against human trafficking and is recognized for protecting children and vulnerable communities, as well as upholding human rights. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his Foundation acquired and delivered Personal Protective Equipment to health professionals in 50+ hospitals in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the United States. The Foundation continues to serve communities at risk with much-needed humanitarian aid and mental health services during this time of crisis.
PeaceTech Lab will soon be announcing the host, performers, presenters and special guests who will also be participating in the inspiring opening ceremony of the International Peace Honors.
The invitation is global to join this virtual program, which will broadcast through various social media platforms, including those of PeaceTech Lab, the International Peace Honors, its host, honorees, performers, and media partners, thus reaching a global audience of approximately 100 million people. The specific broadcast platforms will be announced closer to the date of the broadcast on December 6th.
About PeaceTech Lab:
Established by the United States Institute of Peace, PeaceTech Lab is committed to using technology, media, and data to prevent violent conflict and build prosperous and peaceful communities around the world.
For more information: http://www.peacetechlab.org
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