Call for Nominations: Global Pluralism Award

The Global Pluralism Award recognizes pluralism in action. Presented every other year to individuals, organisations, governments and businesses from around the world, the Award celebrates the inspiring and brave work that is helping to build more inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected.

What is Pluralism?

• Diversity in society is a universal fact; how societies respond to diversity is a choice. Pluralism is a positive response to diversity. It involves taking decisions and actions, as individuals and societies, that are grounded in respect for diversity. Those working towards pluralism recognize, value and respect diversity as a basis for more just, peaceful and equitable societies.
• Pluralism is intersectional, considering multiple dimensions and expressions of identity to include race, ethnicity, indigeneity, religion, culture, language, neurodiversity, dis/ability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Funding Information

• Three Award winners will share a total prize pool of $150,000 (CAD). The monetary prize will be equally divided among the three Award winners (CAD $50,000 each).
• In late 2025, each of the three Award winners and up to seven honourable mention recipients, or their delegates, will be invited to the Award ceremony.
• In addition to the financial Award, the Centre will work with Award winners and honourable mention recipients to develop a program of in-kind support and engagement in 2026. This may include communications support, collaboration through events and global convenings or opportunities to engage in the research and educational activities of the Centre.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates from any country are eligible, including:
  • Individuals (e.g., artists, journalists, academics, policymakers, filmmakers, etc.);
  • Civil society organizations (e.g., professional associations, faith-based organizations, labour unions, non-profit research or educational institutions, local community groups, non-governmental organizations, foundations, think tanks, etc);
  • Social enterprises;
  • Corporations (public or private);
  • Educational, research and policy institutions (public or private);
  • Local/municipal, regional or federal/national branches or agencies of government.

Criteria

• Candidates must meet the following requirements:
  • Candidates must be living. The Award cannot be given posthumously.
  • Candidates may not have applied for the Award more than once previously.
  • Candidates must not have previously received the Global Pluralism Award or an honourable mention.
  • Candidates must not be an agency, employee or institutional project of any of the Centre’s founding partners, namely the Government of Canada and the Aga Khan Development Network. Partner or grantee organizations of the aforementioned, however, are eligible to apply.
  • Candidates must not be members of the Jury, the Centre’s Board or staff, a Centre’s Director emeritus, former juror or a consultant receiving remuneration from the Centre at the time of nomination. Close relations and organizations owned or operated by members of the Jury, the Centre’s Board members, Centre’s Director Emeriti, former jurors and staff are also ineligible.
  • Candidates for the Award must not have been found guilty of committing violent crimes, terrorism, or other criminal activities; or have publicly held extremist views.

For more information, visit Global Centre for Pluralism.