World Future Policy Award 2024 on Peace and Future Generations

by Unfold Zero

At a time when we are experiencing the highest number and intensity of armed conflicts this century, it is vital to find, analyse and learn from successful approaches in conflict resolution and peace-building. For this reason, the World Future Council (WFC), a founding partner of UNFOLD ZERO, chose Peace and Future Generations as the topic for the 2024 World Future Policy Award.

WFC has just announced the 12 finalists for the award, selected from 47 nominations across 29 countries. The five winners will be revealed and honoured at a high-level award ceremony on 27 November 2024 at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva.

The finalists:
(in alphabetical order with year the policy was established)

• Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (2017)
• Costa Rica’s Abolition of the Army (1948) and Affirmation of Active Neutrality (1983 and 2014)
• Finland’s Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan (2018-2021)
• Kaianere’ko:wa: the Great Law of Peace of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (12th/13th Century)
• Kauswagan From Arms to Farms Program, Philippines (2010)
• Moriori Peace Covenant “Nunuku’s Law” (16th Century)
• Nigerian National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (2021)
• Philippines’ Peace Education – Executive Order No. 570: Institutionalising Peace Education in Basic Education and Teacher Education (2006)
• Rwanda Peace Education Programme (2013)
• Supporting Bougainvillean-Owned Peace: The New Zealand-Led Pacific Partnership for Peace Monitoring and Mediation (1997-1998)
• Switzerland’s Active Neutrality Policy  (1815/1848/1907)
• Wales Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015)

Find out more about these policies at WFC Press Release: World Future Policy Award 2024 on Peace and Future Generations.

About the World Future Policy Award

The World Future Policy Award celebrates top policy solutions for current and future generations. We raise global awareness of exemplary laws and policies, accelerating policy action towards a common future where every person lives in dignity on a healthy, sustainable planet.

As the world’s premier policy prize, the award showcases inspiring and effective policies, not individuals, on the international stage. Each year, World Future Council focuses on one topic where progress is particularly urgent and receive nominations from across the globe.

2024 Award: Peace and Future Generations

The 2024 topic is Peace and Future Generations because effective peace policies to protect current and future generations are needed now more than ever.

The world is facing the largest number of armed conflicts since 1946, with a quarter of the world’s population living in conflict-affected areas. More than 170,000 people lost their lives in wars and violent conflicts last year, and a record 114 million people worldwide were forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution and human rights violations.

In addition, militarism and armed conflict have devastating impacts on the environment including military pollution, resource use/depletion, explosive damage and over 5% of global carbon emissions.

Effective policies identified by the 2024 World Future Policy Award give us hope, inspiration and guidance for a better world for today and the future.