• Mawlana Hazar Imam and Chief Justice Beverly Mclaughlin join the inaugural Global Pluralism Award recipients for a group photograph.
  • Mawlana Hazar Imam delivers remarks during the ceremony, The Global Centre for Pluralism was founded as a partnership between Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Government of Canada.
  • Each winner received a commemorative sculpture designed and handcrafted by renowned German artist, Karl Schlamminger
  • Mawlana Hazar Imam presented the inaugural Global Pluralism Award at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa on 15 November 2017. The Award celebrates achievement and excellence in the field of pluralism.
  • Leyner Palacios Asprilla receives the Award from Mawlana Hazar Imam and Chief Justice Beverly McLaughlin. A Colombian community leader and human rights advocate, Leyner fought for more than 20 years to bring peace to his community of Bojayá, Chocó.
  • Alice Wairimu Nderitu raises the Global Pluralism Award as Mawlana Hazar Imam and Chief Justice Beverly McLaughlin applaud. Nderitu was recognised for mediating and brokering peace in multiple ethnic conflicts throughout Africa.
  • Daniel Webb, Director of Legal Advocacy for the Human Rights Law Centre, received the Global Pluralism Award in recognition for his efforts to protect the rights of asylum seekers in in Australia, through advocacy and media campaigns.
  • Chief Justice Beverly Mclaughlin speaks during the opening of the Global Pluralism Awards Ceremony.
  • ATD Quart Monde, represented by Frédérique Pasturel, receives an Honourable Mention for the first cycle for the Global Pluralism Awards.
  • BeAnotherLab, represented by Daanish Masood, receives an Honourable Mention, for using Virtual Reality technology to help reduce implicit bias and promote empathy across differences.
  • Fundación Construir was presented with an Honourable Mention for the 2017 Global Pluralism Award. The organization serves as a strong enabler for pluralism in Bolivia.
  • Thadeu Luz receives an Honourable Mention on behalf of Hand Talk, a Brazilian social enterprise that creates technology to offer automatic translation from spoken language into Brazilian sign language.
  • Rouba Mhaissen, founder of Sawa for Development and Aid, is presented with an Honourable Mention. Sawa provides multi-faceted relief for Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the UK.
  • Wapikoni Mobile, represented by Virginie Michel, receives an Honourable Mention for the 2017 Global Pluralism Awards, for encouraging filmmaking among youth in Canadian indigenous communities.
  • David Lubell, founder of Welcoming America, receives an Honourable Mention of the Global Pluralism Award, for helping immigrants to the United States become active members in their new society.
  • Global Centre for Pluralism Secretary General John McNee provides opening remarks at the Inaugural Global Pluralism Awards, held at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa on 15 November 2017.
  • Global Pluralism award recipient Leyner Palacios Asprilla delivers remarks of appreciation during the Global Pluralism Award ceremony.
  • Alice Nderitu shares some remarks upon receiving the 2017 Global Pluralism Award.
  • Daniel Webb delivers an acceptance speech at the Global Pluralism Award Ceremony in Ottawa on 15 November 2017.
  • The Global Centre for Pluralism was founded as a partnership between Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Government of Canada. Working with other partners, the Centre seeks to advance respect for diversity as a global ethic and practice.
  • Former Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt. Honourable Joe Clark, delivers closing remarks during the Ceremony. Clark served as Chair of Award's Jury.
Related Information
Article: Inaugural Global Pluralism Award recognises advocates of social justice

Mawlana Hazar Imam presided over the inaugural Global Pluralism Award on 15 November 2017. The Award, presented biennially, is designed to seek out those, “… who explore and investigate, and who then reflect on the difference that pluralistic commitments can make in specific contexts, at specific moments, in specific places,” Hazar Imam said. The Global Pluralism Award highlights what a commitment to pluralism can look like in practice.

Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Rt Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, presented the Award at a ceremony held at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, in Ottawa, Canada.