Avicenna Prize for Ethics in Science

Date of creation: 2003.
Purpose: The purpose of the prize is to reward the activities of individuals and groups in the field of ethics in science. Such activities shall be in conformity with UNESCO’s policies and be related to the Programme of the Organization in the field of ethics of science and technology.
Periodicity: Biennial.
Value: A medal of Avicenna, a certificate, US $10,000, a one-week academic visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Funding Source: Islamic Republic of Iran prior to 2005; Islamic Republic of Iran and UNESCO from 2005 onwards.
Contact: Henk ten Have
Website

UNESCO - International José Martí Prize

Date of creation: 1995.
Purpose: To promote and reward an activity of outstanding merit that, in accordance with the ideals and spirit of José Martí and embodying a nation’s aspiration to sovereignty and its struggle for liberty, contributes, in any region of the world, to the unity and the integration of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean and to the preservation of their identities, cultural traditions and historical values.
Periodicity: Biennial.
Value: US $5,000.
Funding Source: The Government of Cuba.
Contact: Christina von Furstenberg
Website

UNESCO - International Simón Bolívar Prize

Date of creation: 1978.
Purpose: To reward an activity of outstanding merit which, in accordance with the ideals of Simón Bolívar, has contributed to the freedom, independence and dignity of peoples and to the strengthening of a new international economic, social and cultural order. Such activity may take the form of intellectual or artistic creation, a social achievement or the mobilization of public opinion.
Periodicity: Biennial.
Funding Source: The Government of Venezuela.

UNESCO/Juan Bosch Prize for the Promotion of Social Science Research in Latin America and the Caribbean

Date of creation: 2009.
Purpose: Its purpose is to reward social science research work by young researchers in Latin America and the Caribbean which has contributed to stronger research-policy linkages.
Periodicity: Biennial.
Value: US $10,000 which may be divided equally among a maximum of three prizewinners. The Prize also provides for the publication of the prize-winning thesis from extrabudgetary funds, if available, with the assistance of a publishing house and under the auspices of UNESCO.
Funding Source: Government of the Dominican Republic.

See also: UNESCO Executive Board Document 181 EX/56 [PDF, 39 KB]

UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights
(former UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education)

Date of creation: 2008.
(Date of creation of the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education: 1978)
Purpose: The purpose of the prize is to reward the efforts of institutions, organizations and individuals that have made a particularly important and effective contribution to the promotion of a culture of human rights at regional and international levels.
This contribution could be made through the dissemination of knowledge, development of human rights education and research, sensitization of decision-makers and general public on human rights issues and related challenges, as well as the imparting of skills and the moulding of attitudes aimed at strengthening respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The prize shall be awarded also to encourage or stimulate innovative initiatives serving to promote a culture of human rights.
Periodicity: Biennial.
Value: US $20,000, a diploma and a trophy created specifically for the prize.
Funding Source: City of Bilbao (the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country, Spain).
Contact: Irina Zoubenko-Laplante
Website

UNESCO Prize for Peace Education

Date of creation: 1981.
Purpose: Promotion of all forms of action designed to construct the defences of peace in the minds of men and to alert public opinion and mobilize the conscience of mankind in the cause of peace.
Periodicity: Biennial. The prize is awarded on the occasion of the International Day of Peace (21 September).
Value: Approximately US $60,000 - the exact amount to be decided each year on the basis of the interest accruing from the fund.
Funding Source: US $1 million donated by the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, now the Nippon Foundation.
Contact: peace&security;@unesco.org
Website

UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence

Date of creation: 1995.
Purpose: The purpose of the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize is to reward outstanding activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural or communication field aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitution of UNESCO. The Prize may be awarded to institutions, organizations or living persons who have contributed in a particularly meritorious and effective manner to promoting tolerance and non-violence. The Prize was created through the generous contribution of the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Indian artist, writer and diplomat Madanjeet Singh. It honours his lifelong commitment to the cause of peace, tolerance and non-violence. By establishing the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence in 1995, UNESCO marked the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi and the United Nations Year for Tolerance.
Periodicity: Biennial. The prize is awarded on 16 November, International Day for Tolerance and the anniversary of the foundation of UNESCO.
Value: US $100,000.
Funding Source: Funds donated by the South Asia Foundation (SAF), established by Mr Madanjeet Singh.
Contact: Vladimir Volodine
Website