Goi Peace Award

Established in 2000, the Goi Peace Award is an international award presented annually to honor individuals and organizations in various fields that have made outstanding contributions toward the realization of a peaceful and harmonious world as envisioned in the Declaration for All Life on Earth. They are selected not only in recognition of their past achievements, but for their ongoing contribution to building a better future.

The Goi Peace Award is usually presented at a ceremony during the annual Goi Peace Foundation Forum in Tokyo, where the laureate takes center stage to deliver a commemorative address and receive a medal and a diploma together with a monetary prize.

In addition to this annual award, the Culture of Peace Special Award is presented occasionally to honor individuals and organizations in various fields that have notably contributed to spreading and fostering a Culture of Peace around the world.

Goi Peace Award Laureates

(Attributes are as of the year of the award)

2023Goi Peace Award

Scilla Elworthy

Scilla Elworthy

Peace builder, Author (United Kingdom)

In recognition of her lifelong dedication to prevent and transform conflicts and build sustainable peace throughout the world.

2022Goi Peace Award

Satish Kumar

Satish Kumar

Peace activist, Environmental thought leader (United Kingdom)

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to campaigning for ecological regeneration, social justice, and spiritual fulfillment.

2021Goi Peace Award

Gunter Pauli

Gunter Pauli

Entrepreneur, Author (Belgium)

In recognition of his pioneering work in developing sustainable design and innovative business models which promote the well-being of all in harmony with the environment.

2020Goi Peace Award

Jacques-Attali

Jacques Attali

Economist, Author (France)

In recognition of his visionary leadership in promoting a positive economy and a positive future for all.

2019Goi Peace Award

Nipun Mehta

Nipun Mehta and ServiceSpace

Founder and members of all-volunteer organization (United States)

In recognition of their collective efforts to transform the world through generosity.

2018Goi Peace Award

Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa

Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa

Princess of the Kingdom of Morocco

In honor of her leadership in promoting the protection of the environment and improving people’s quality of life, particularly through education and advocacy for sustainable development.

2017Goi Peace Award

Kenny Ausubel, Nina Simons

Social entrepreneurs (United States)

For their pioneering work to promote nature-inspired innovations for restoring the Earth and our human community.

2016Goi Peace Award

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Hafsat Abiola-Costello

Pro-democracy activist, Political representative (Nigeria)

In recognition of her unwavering commitment to advance women’s rights and leadership and pave the way for true democracy in Africa.

2015Goi Peace Award

2015-lynne-twist

Lynne Twist

Social activist, Fundraiser (United States)

In recognition of her lifelong commitment to empower humanity in creating a thriving, just, and sustainable world for all.

2014Goi Peace Award

2014-kazuo-inamori

Kazuo Inamori

Business leader (Japan)

For his contribution towards building an economy and society based on new ethics, by setting an example with his ethical and visionary management philosophy.

2013Goi Peace Award

2013-silsilah

Silsilah Dialogue Movement

Grassroots initiative (Philippines)

In recognition of its many years of commitment to promote dialogue for peace and solidarity among Muslims and Christians in the Philippines.

2012Goi Peace Award

2012-helena-noberg-hodge

Helena Norberg-Hodge

Author, Filmmaker (Sweden)

For her pioneering work in the localization movement to help create a more sustainable and equitable world.

2011Goi Peace Award

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Bill Strickland

Social innovator, Community leader (United States)

For his commitment and innovative social work to help the underserved population transform their lives.

2010Goi Peace Award

2010-deepak-chopra

Deepak Chopra

Pioneer in mind-body medicine, Author (United States)

For his visionary leadership in promoting global peace and well being through personal transformation.

2009Goi Peace Award

2009-bruce-lipton

Bruce Lipton

Cell biologist (United States)

For his pioneering work in the field of new biology, which has contributed to a greater understanding of life and empowered many people to take control of their own lives.

2008Goi Peace Award

2008-bill-gates

Bill Gates

Philanthropist (United States)

For his visionary leadership to help create a more equitable world through philanthropy.

2007Goi Peace Award

2007-bill-drayton

Bill Drayton

Social entrepreneur (United States)

For his pioneering work to support social entrepreneurs and thereby paving the way for a truly innovative citizen sector to emerge around the world.

2006Goi Peace Award

2006-duane-elgin

Duane Elgin

Futurist, Educator (United States)

For promoting a new vision, consciousness and lifestyle that fosters a more sustainable and spiritual culture.

2005Goi Peace Award

2005-lester-brown

Lester Brown

Environmentalist (United States)

For promoting global environmental awareness and a sustainable and equitable world through many years of research, analysis and advocacy.

2004Goi Peace Award

2004-oscar-arias

Oscar Arias Sánchez

Statesman (Costa Rica)

For his tireless efforts to promote global peace, democracy and human progress.

2003Goi Peace Award

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Robert Muller

Educator (France)

In recognition of his life’s work for world peace as a visionary leader and educator.

2002Goi Peace Award

2002-takeshi-umehara

Takeshi Umehara

Philosopher (Japan)

For revealing timeless wisdom for a harmonious future through his unique and comprehensive study of Japanese culture.

2001Goi Peace Award

2001-ervin-laszlo

Ervin Laszlo

Systems philosopher (Hungary)

For promoting planetary consciousness for a new and sustainable civilization based on his extraordinary insights and vision.

2000Goi Peace Award

2000-james-lovelock

James Lovelock

Scientist (United Kingdom)

For contributing to changing people’s awareness of the Earth and inspiring the global environmental movement through the “Gaia Theory.

Culture of Peace Special Award Laureates

(Attributes are as of the year of the award)

2016Culture of Peace Special Award

2016-nursultan-nazarbayev1

Nursultan Nazarbayev

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

For his leadership in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and for his initiative to foster peace and unity through interfaith dialogue and inter-cultural ties.

2013Culture of Peace Special Award

jaabreu-2

José Antonio Abreu

Musician, Conductor (Venezuela)

In recognition of his extraordinary achievement in transforming the lives of young people through music.

2005Culture of Peace Special Award

2005-mikhail-gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev

Former President of the Soviet Union (Russia)

For promoting new thinking and values for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world order.

2003Culture of Peace Special Award

2003-genshitsu-sen

Genshitsu Sen

Former Grand Tea Master of Urasenke (Japan)

In recognition of his contribution to international cultural exchange and goodwill through the Way of Tea.

2000Culture of Peace Special Award

2000-foundation-for-cultural-heritage1

Foundation for Cultural Heritage

  (Japan)

In recognition of their contribution to world peace through preservation and restoration of world cultural heritage and assets around the globe including sites in conflict areas.

Selection Process

Candidates for the Goi Peace Award are nominated by nominators, who have been selected by the Goi Peace Foundation from among recognized experts in various fields. The selection committee, elected by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, selects the laureate fairly and impartially from among the nominated candidates.

Selection Committee

Chairman
  • Teiichi Sato
    Honorary Executive Director, Tokyo National Museum
    Former Ambassador of Japan to UNESCO
Members
  • Yasushi Akashi
    Chairman, Kyoto International Conference Center
    Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • Hideki Kato
    President, Japan Initiative
    Professor (Special Appointment), Faculty of Economics, Kyoto University
  • Tadateru Konoe
    President of Japanese Red Cross Society
  • Kiyoshi Kurokawa
    Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo
    Chairman, Health and Global Policy Institute
  • Masami Saionji
    Chairperson, The Goi Peace Foundation
  • Hiroshi Tasaka
    Emeritus Professor at the Graduate School of Tama University
    President of Think Tank SophiaBank