Award for activists working for peace and refugees

Jacqueline Flory receives the award for the Grassroots Peace Worker. The translator, author and single mother from Munich started an initiative in 2015 when many people fled from the war-torn areas of Syria to Europe. She helped the refugees both in the neighbouring country of Lebanon and in her home country, Syria. In doing so, she was able to save them from risking the life-threatening journey of escape to the supposedly-safe haven of Europe. This initiative gave rise to "Zeitschule - Tent School", an association that has been building schools for refugee children since 2016. With the aim of supporting the families by enabling the children to go to school rather than having to work, Jaqueline regularly travels to the region, where she actively and pragmatically fights for education and training. Thus, the first schools have already been built in Homs, Syria. Meanwhile, the association "Zeitschule" supports 30 schools and more than 7000 children in Lebanon and Syria between the ages of 5 and 14 years. In addition, more than 25,000 people are provided with the essentials. Jaqueline Flory's commitment attracts increasing attention as the activist gives interviews and presentations in which she encourages others to follow her example by helping comprehensively and sustainably. "For me, the honour in receiving this prize means first and foremost that we, my fellow campaigners and I, have succeeded in diverting attention to those individuals who work as refugees at the grassroots level every day although war has shaken their very own deepest foundation", says the winner of the peace award. "While I am delighted to have the honour to help them in their fight for education, future and independence, the real honour goes to the refugee women themselves".

The award for the Peace Ambassador in Public Life goes to Clemens Ronnefeldt. He is a Catholic theologist who has been campaigning for peace, justice and the integrity of creation since he declined his military service in 1979. His motivation is rooted in his Christian faith. He is advisor for peace-related questions for the German branch of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. He took part in numerous projects to prepare and accompany conscientious objectors carrying out community service for children in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia as well as participating in the training of a peace specialist for the Balkans. After this, he was part of various peace delegations. Over the course of time, his newsletter and blog have become an increasingly important source of information for those engaged in peace work. He has chaired peace conferences and become known as a speaker for different target groups in seminars, training events, schools and churches. What distinguishes him is his ability to explain complex connections in a way that makes them understandable and subsequently accessible to the target group. He campaigns for peace-related questions through both print media and television, working together with a large number of experts. His high level of expertise in the field of political analysis is often in demand. "I feel that receiving the Bremen Peace Award shows great appreciation for the work I have done over the past 30 years with the German branch of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation", says Clemens Ronnefeld. "It gives me an extra boost of energy for my future engagement at a difficult time for peace policy."

LesvosSolidarity receives the Award of the Donors for Encouraging Initiatives. In 2012, Efi Latsoudi in cooperation with a small group of local residents and volunteers began to distribute food and essential goods to refugees and other people in need of protection. When the number of refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea continued to rise, they prepared large amounts of warm meals and distributed them at central localities. The deserted area of land around a former summer camp on the outskirts of the capital city Mytilene was set up to cater for up to 120 people in need of protection. Pregnant women, people suffering from chronic illnesses and those with mental health problems, minors and people with disability were able to find refuge there. When a great number of refugees came to the island in 2015, the structures were already in place to take in another 400 people. In 2016, LesvosSolidarity was officially registered as a non-government organisation. Since then, refugees and local residents have been encouraged to become actively involved by learning to help themselves. The principles that underlie the work are openness, transparency and environmental sustainability. Everyone has access to the activities on offer, which are distinguished by cultural diversity and shared artistic creation. 2This award is of great importance since it reminds us that we are not alone and empowers us to continue fighting for human rights and peace", says Efi Latsoudi, initiator of the Lesvos Solidarity.

The public award ceremony has been postponed until the coming year due to the pandemic.

The winners will be honored in a ceremony in Bremen's City Hall on May 20, 2022, you are cordially invited to attend.

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Peace Award Winner 2021

Lesvos Solidarity: An Oasis for Refugees in Greece

In 2012, Efi Latsoudi and a small group of local residents and volunteers begin distributing food and other essential goods to refugees and other…

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Jacqueline Flory: Helping Refugees On Site in Lebanon

"We do not see the solution in uprooting people from their region and culture, and then forcing them to begin a new life far away from their own home.…

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Clemens Ronnefeldt: Giving Peace a Voice in Germany

Clemens Ronnefeldt has devoted his entire professional activity to peace work. He gives peace a voice and uses his many talents in projects ranging…

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