Responding to the urgent need to support positive responses to diversity, the Global Centre for Pluralism today announced 10 finalists for the 2023 Global Pluralism Award.
Selected from among 200 submissions from 60 countries, Build Up, an innovator in the field of peacebuilding based in Kenya, was shortlisted for its use of technology to address online polarization and division in diverse contexts.
Build Up was selected for its unique approach to addressing hate speech and polarization. It partners with peacebuilding organizations around the world to design and implement technology-based solutions to conflict. Among its creations is a chatbot that fights online misinformation. It has helped deliver voter education via WhatsApp bot to remote communities.
“The creativity, courage, and commitment shown by this year’s finalists is so important at this moment,” said Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism. “At a time of increasing polarization globally, it is critical to magnify the impacts of pluralism leaders who are creating more inclusive and peaceful societies where diversity is valued. I hope these examples spur us all to follow their example and take action.”
Nominees for the Award undergo rigorous review and finalists are selected by an independent, international jury of experts.
According to jury chair Dr. Marwan Muasher of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a former foreign minister and deputy prime minister of Jordan: “The Award finalists have made outstanding contributions to fostering pluralism in some of the world’s most challenging contexts. They are strengthening their communities by helping to build a foundation of mutual respect, cooperation, and shared purpose.”
From among these 10 finalists, three winners and seven honorable mention recipients will be announced in October and recognized at a ceremony to be held in November in Ottawa, Canada. Each winner will receive a prize of $50,000 (CAD) to further their work in support of pluralism.
