Ottawa, Canada, 27 November 2025 – The 2025 Global Pluralism Award honoured three organisations for their efforts to foster inclusion and bridge divides in some of the world’s most fractured societies, while seven others received honourable mentions for their impactful work in building inclusive communities. The ceremony took place at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa, with Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand, former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, and leaders from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in attendance. His Highness the Aga Khan addressed the audience via video message, highlighting the importance of pluralism and encouraging individuals to take meaningful action in their own lives to embrace diversity and understanding.
The award process began with over 300 applications from 64 countries, which were narrowed down to 10 finalists in September before selecting the three winners in October. The Southern Africa Litigation Centre, based in South Africa, was recognised for its social engagement to protect marginalised groups in a region challenged by high migration and xenophobia, providing legal support and building the capacity of local lawyers to defend vulnerable populations. Colombia Diversa was honoured for nearly two decades of advocacy securing human rights protections for LGBTQI+ people in Colombia, combining documentation of abuses during the country’s conflict with public advocacy that led to landmark achievements such as marriage equality and gender identity recognition. A Land for All earned recognition for promoting a confederal solution between Israelis and Palestinians, advocating for two sovereign states with open borders, equal rights, and shared institutions, and mobilising thousands from both societies around the concept of a shared homeland.
The seven organisations receiving honourable mentions included the Artistic Freedom Initiative operating between the United States and Switzerland, Slovakia’s Cesta Von, Mexico’s Coordinadora Nacional de Mujeres Indígenas, Brazil’s Mais Diferenças, Afghanistan’s New Life Trust Organization, the international Nonviolent Peaceforce, and the regional Sudanese Youth Network for Ending the War and Establishing a Democratic Civil Transformation. Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism, emphasised that the award winners demonstrate pluralism as a practical necessity, working against division, polarisation, and hate, and inspiring others to take action within their own communities.
Since its establishment in 2017, the Global Pluralism Award has recognised approximately 50 laureates, including individuals, organisations, governments, and businesses advancing inclusive societies where diversity is valued and protected. Award recipients will participate in a programme of in-kind support and engagement activities throughout 2026, enabling them to expand their work and share lessons with the broader community. Marwan Muasher, jury chair, highlighted the courage, persistence, and commitment of this year’s laureates, noting that they operate in some of the most challenging contexts of our time, seizing opportunities to effect meaningful change and inspire others to persevere in the pursuit of inclusion and pluralism.
