The ceremony for the presentation of the 1st CESPIC Peace Award will take place on the morning of March 11, starting at 10:00 a.m. The award is promoted by the “Our Lady of the Good Counsel” Foundation and coordinated by CESPIC, in collaboration with the Trans-European Balkans and Caucasus Observatory / Center for International Cooperation. The award is given annually to one or more individuals or organizations engaged in the promotion of peace, with particular attention to the Balkan region. In particular, the CESPIC Peace Award honors individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the promotion of peace.
A jury composed of experts from various Balkan countries and representatives of Albanian religious communities has decided that the 2025 Award will be jointly presented to the following recipients:
- Nihad Suljić,
a Bosnian humanitarian activist and founder of the association DjelujBa!. For several years, he has supported migrants in transit along the Balkan route, providing concrete assistance to refugees and participating in the identification and burial procedures of the deceased. For this reason, he is awarded the prize “…for his sustained humanitarian commitment and his community-rooted contribution to social peace…”.
- The “Joint History Books Project”,
launched in the early 2000s by the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE) to overcome divisive nationalist narratives in the teaching of history in Southeast European countries. Its “Joint History Workbooks” present multiple sources and perspectives on major historical events, promoting critical thinking and supporting post-conflict reconciliation. This initiative thus contributes to building more peaceful and inclusive societies. For this reason, it is awarded the prize “…for its long-term educational role in promoting mutual understanding and reconciliation…”.
At 12:30 p.m., in the Garden of the Righteous of the ZKM Foundation, the names of the two Italian magistrates, Falcone and Borsellino, brutally murdered for their fight against the mafia, will be inscribed. Notably, these two figures were chosen in January through a public vote.
