Gautam Buddha International Peace Award

Background

The First World Buddhist Summit held in December 1998 unanimously passed a declaration designating Lumbini, Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha, as the fountain of World Peace. It also passed a resolution to establish an International Peace Prize named after Lord Gautam Buddha.

The Gautam Buddha International Peace Award was formally announced by the Government of Nepal in 2002. Its objective is to recognize and honor individuals and institutions around the world that have made a significant contribution to peace and nonviolence inspired by the teachings and messages of Lord Buddha.

1. Purpose and objectives:
The purpose of the Gautam Buddha International Peace Award is to recognize and honour individuals and institutions from around the world that have made significant contribution to peace and non-violence inspired by the teachings of Lord Buddha.

Responding to the call of the First World Buddhist Summit held in Lumbini, the Government of Nepal took the initiative to establish the Award, as Nepal takes great pride as the birthplace of Shakyamuni Siddartha Gautam Buddha, known to many as the Prince of Peace. Nepalis consider Gautam Buddha as a great national luminary, and Asia’s guiding light as well as a messenger for peace in the world. An Award named after Gautam Buddha, would enhance Nepal’s position in the international arena, and encourage Nepal to follow the path of peace in its domestic policies as well as in its international relations. It would also be helpful in developing Lumbini as a major global Buddhist pilgrimage site. Most importantly, the Award would promote Buddha’s message of peace, non-violence and human solidarity, values that are so essential in our world today.

2. Selection Criteria
The Gautam Buddha International Peace Award would be conferred on distinguished individuals and institutions that meet the following criteria:

• Individuals/institutions that have made significant contribution for the promotion of world peace, disarmament and non-violence.
  
  
• Individuals/institutions that have made significant contribution to promote humanitarian efforts and global human solidarity.
  
  
• Individuals/institutions that have made significant contribution to spread Buddhist philosophy and to promote the development of Lumbini/Nepal, as a major global pilgrimage site.
  
  
• Individuals/institutions that have made extra-ordinary contribution toward alleviating human suffering, ending conflicts and promoting non-violence.
  

Officials of the Government of Nepal who are currently in active service in political and administrative affairs of State will be ineligible for nomination for the Award.

3. Nomination Guideline

The selection procedure for the Award shall be through nomination by recognized individuals and organizations worldwide. The selection process shall be according to procedure set by the management and Selection Committee of the Gautam Buddha International Peace Award
established by the Government of Nepal. :

The following individuals and institutions may nominate candidates for the Gautam Buddha International Peace Award:

• Recognized national and international Buddhist associations
  
  
• Individuals and institutions who have won the Nobel Peace Prize and similar international awards
  
  
• The Executive Heads, and members of governing bodies of the United Nations, its specialized agencies, funds and programmes.
  
  
• The Executive Heads of major international non-governmental organizations, and NGOs accredited to the United Nations, UNESCO, UNICEF, etc.
  
  
• Heads of major regional institutions, universities, and research institutions especially those specializing in Buddhist studies and peace studies.
  
  

While the nominator should be knowledgeable about the nominee’s work and contribution, he or she may not be an employee, supervisor, family member or business partner of the nominee. The nominator must disclose any financial or other interactions with the nominee in the last
five years.

4. Selection Process:
The Gautam Buddha International Peace Award Management and Selection Committee composed of five members appointed by the Government of Nepal through a Cabinet decision is responsible for the management of the selection process, and short-listing of candidates for final decision by consensus of the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal.

The Committee may consult any knowledgeable personalities and institutions to acquire additional information and insight in screening the nominees for the award. However, any contact with the Committee by the nominator nominee with the purpose of influencing the selection process may subject the nominee to disqualification. In particular, officials of the Government of Nepal, legislators and political party officials are discouraged from contacting the Committee members with a view to influencing the selection process. Committee members are required to disclose any such unauthorized contacts made to them.

The Committee will agree on specific criteria for short-listing and selection of candidates, which will be published prior to the beginning of the selection process.

The names of nominees and nominators will be kept confidential and shared only within members of the Management and Selection Committee. Only the names of the short-listed and finalist candidates will be made public.

The Committee shall recommend a short-list of candidates not exceeding 3 distinguished nominees for the Award to the Government of Nepal for its final decision.

As per the decision of Government of Nepal, for the period May 2010 to May 2011, the Committee consists of the following members:

􀂃 Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam, former Assistant Secretary-General of the UN - Chairperson
􀂃 Dr. Bimal Prasad Koirala, former Chief Secretary of Nepal Government - Member
􀂃 Acharya Karmasangpo, Vice-chairman, Lumbini Development Trust - Member
􀂃 Mrs. Urmila Garg, Renowned Nepali Artist - Member
􀂃 Ms. Ani Choying Dolma, Renowned Buddhist Nun and Singer - Member

5. Timing of Nomination and Selection:

- The Management and Selection Committee will issue invitations for nomination in May/June of the year preceding the Award.
- 30 September – Deadline for receipt of nominations
- 31 December – The Management and Selection Committee to submit a short-list of candidates not exceeding 3 distinguished nominees for the Award to the Government of Nepal.
- 31 January – The Government of Nepal to decide and announce the winner of the Award from the short-list presented by the Committee.
- May/June – Award Ceremony to be held on the auspicious occasion of Gautam Buddha’s Birthday (Buddha Jayanti).

6. Award Ceremony:

The first Award ceremony for the Gautam Buddha International Peace Award will be held in Lumbini, Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti in May 2011, and subsequently at 5 year intervals. The Award will be conferred by the Right Honorable President of the Republic of Nepal. The recipient will be awarded a Gold Medal, a Certificate of Award and a cash prize of US $50,000. The Award winner will deliver a major lecture, which will be followed by a reception/banquet at Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, Kathmandu, the following day.

7. Award Amount and Endowment:

Initially the Award amount of $50,000 will be contributed by the Government of Nepal. The Government of Nepal is committed to continue to provide this level of funding for the foreseeable future. In addition, in future years, an endowment will be established to seek contributions from other interested donors to enhance the amount as well as the prestige of the Gautam Buddha International Peace Award as a major international peace prize.

8. Secretariat:

A small secretariat will be established to provide support to the Management and Selection Committee for the Award within the Nepal Government’s Ministry of Culture (currently, Ministry of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture). This secretariat will initially comprise a senior professional specialist, a programme officer, and an administrative assistant. Other necessary administrative personnel will be provided by the Ministry, as and when needed. Salaries, remunerations etc. of these personnel and operating costs of the secretariat will be provided by the Government of Nepal. The secretariat will liase with diplomatic missions of the Government of Nepal to publicize the Award. It will also liaise closely with Nepal-based diplomatic missions of countries with large Buddhist populations. It will correspond with recognized major national and international Buddhist organizations, and distinguished personalities to seek their participation and support for the Award.

For further information, please visit www.buddhaintpeaceaward.gov.np

Click here for Nomination Form