THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
To commemorate Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) in 2020, the United Nations will confer an honorary award on two laureates, one female and one male who shall not be selected from the same geographic region of the world.
The United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, which is awarded every five years, honours individuals for their outstanding achievements and contributions to humanity in the promotion of reconciliation and social cohesion, and in community development.
“The Prize aims to recognize the achievements of those who dedicated their lives to the service of humanity as guided by the purposes and principles of the UN, while honouring and paying homage to Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation,” according to the UN.
Nominations for the 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize shall reach the secretariat no later than 28 February 2020.
Nominations can be made by Member States and observer States of the UN; entities and intergovernmental organizations having received a standing invitation to participate as observers in the sessions and work of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council; institutions of higher education; independent research centres and institutes; NGOs in consultative status with Economic and Social Council; and past laureates of the Prize.
Winners of the Prize for 2020 will be announced in May and the UN Secretary-General will present the Prize to the laureates at an award ceremony as part of the General Assembly commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) at the UN Headquarters in New York.
The Nelson Mandela Prize was established by the UN on 6 June 2014 while the Nelson Mandela International Day, observed by the UN since 2010, was designated on 10 November 2009).
For more information on the Nelson Mandela Prize and how to nominate prospective laureates, click here
Felix Dappah
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