Common Ground Awards 2006

Search for Common Ground Announces 2006 Common Ground Awards to be Presented at the United Nations on November 1st

In times of violence and suffering, it is hard not to despair when reading about, or watching, our fellow human beings' pain. At such a time, we feel helpless to effect change, and the work that we and our colleagues do is even more challenging than usual.

It is important to remember that there are individuals and organizations who are making a significant difference -- and to acknowledge their courage and strength of spirit. These individuals and groups inspire others to be their best, even in the face of violent conflict.

We are pleased that the Master of Ceremonies for this year's Awards will be Kathleen Turner.

This year we will honor:

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (National Reconciliation Award)

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia, is the first woman elected to lead an African nation. Prior to her election she worked for over 35 years, in a variety of positions, to build a better Liberia. She and her administration are committed to advancing reconciliation and reconstruction in a country destroyed by war, through inclusive and transparent leadership, and by ending government corruption. Her vision and courage are bringing new hope to West Africa.

Sesame Workshop (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Rooted in the belief that every child deserves the chance to reach their highest potential, Sesame Workshop, the producer of Sesame Street, has been creating children's educational television programming for 38 years. Broadcasting in more than 120 countries around the world, including some of the most challenging regions affected by conflict, such as Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and South Africa, Sesame Workshop's programs promote understanding of differences and diversity, while emphasizing the commonalities.

Taylor Branch (Book Award)
For nearly twentyfive years, Taylor Branch devoted himself to writing about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and to portraying America during the King years. Inspired by Dr. King's dedication to nonviolent social change, Taylor has painted an inspirational portrait of a towering leader who brought the country together behind a just cause. Taylor's awardwinning trilogy includes Parting the Waters (1988; Pulitzer Prize for History and National Book Critics Circle Award for NonFiction), Pillar of Fire (1998), and At Canaan's Edge (2005). The books appear on a list of favorite titles in the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.

John Whitehead (Leadership Award)
In the aftermath of September 11th, John Whitehead was appointed Chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The former Deputy Secretary of State and CoChairman of Goldman Sachs has been widely praised for his leadership in promoting downtown Manhattan's resurgence and revitalization, by leading a public planning process that reached out to the many diverse communities affected by the tragic events in 2001.

David Broza, Wisam Murad and Said Murad (Music Award)
In My Heart, the theme song for the TV documentary The Shape of the Future, is a collaboration between Israeli musician David Broza and two members of the Palestinian group Sabreen: Wisam and Said Murad. Breaking new cultural ground, In My Heart is sung in Hebrew and Arabic, capturing the love and the bond that both peoples share for the same land. The song had the distinction of being simultaneously premiered on both Israeli Army Radio and on the Voice of Palestine.

The Eliav-Sartawi Awards for Middle East Journalism
The EliavSartawi Awards are given annually to recognize and encourage journalism that contributes to better understanding between people and to maintaining political dialogue in the Middle East. A broad range of articles from the Arab, Israeli, and international press is reviewed by a distinguished panel of international judges, who select winners in each of the three categories. The Awards are sponsored, and have been endowed, by the J. Zel Lurie Fund for Investigative Journalism.

Please click here to read the winning articles.

We created The Common Ground Awards in 1998 to honor outstanding accomplishments in conflict resolution, community building, and peacebuilding. Recipients have made significant contributions toward bridging the divides between people, finding solutions to seemingly intractable problems, and providing hope where there often was none.

Whether people work internationally or in their local communities -- the work that they do and the transformation they bring -- are essentially the same.

For the first time The Common Ground Awards will be held in New York, at the United Nations, on November 1st.

"There is no conflict that cannot be resolved. Violent conflict is created and sustained by human beings, and it can be ended by human beings." Past Common Ground Award Recipient, former Senator George Mitchell.

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