SUA Opens Nominations for Fifth Soka Global Citizen Award

December 04, 2024
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An overlook on SUA's campus displays the words "Wisdom, Courage, Compassion" in front of the Performing Arts Center which is lit up during dusk.

Soka University of America has opened nominations for its fifth Soka Global Citizen Award. Members of the SUA community—including faculty, staff, alumni, and current students—are invited to nominate individuals who have made major contributions to the global community and inspired positive change in one of the following areas:

  • The practice of nonviolence in human society
  • The study of ecological realities and means of protecting the environment
  • The focus on poverty and global justice
  • The awareness of human equality and dignity

The annual award includes $25,000 to support the recipient’s ongoing work. The nomination process opened November 18 and nominations will be accepted through January 31, 2025.

Past recipients include Dr. Mirian Vilela, honored for her pioneering work in sustainable development and education for global citizenship as executive director of Earth Charter International; Wanjira Mathai, recognized for her decades of advocacy for environmental conservation, climate action, and social change across Africa and globally; Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, recognized for his dedicated work toward peace, women’s rights and equality, and advocacy for the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged nations; and Ambassador Andrew Young, honored for his lifelong commitment to advancing social, political, and economic rights and human dignity in over 150 countries.

Nomination packages must include the following:

  • A nomination letter (maximum 1,000 words) detailing the candidate’s contributions in one or more of the criteria areas and how they have embodied the essential elements of global citizenship. Supporting documents may be attached.
  • A letter from the nominee acknowledging consent to their nomination, including their contact information (address, email, and phone number) and biography.
  • The nominator’s information (address, email, phone number, relationship to nominee, and affiliation with Soka University of America).

Submit nominations electronically to SokaGlobalCitizen@soka.edu or by mail to:

Soka Global Citizen Award Committee
Soka University of America
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

For more information, visit our Soka Global Citizen Award webpage. Direct questions about the nominating process to SokaGlobalCitizen@soka.edu