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MEDIA ALERT: Sydney Peace Prize Recipient announced at noon Saturday 14 May
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MEDIA RELEASE
Saturday 14 May 2016

Naomi Klein, Canadian award-winning author, journalist, and activist has been selected to receive the 2016 Sydney Peace Prize. It will be awarded on Friday 11 November at Sydney Town Hall.

Following No Logo and The Shock Doctrine, Naomi Klein’s most recent book, documentary and global campaign This Changes Everything is a bold and insightful examination of the make or break issue for us all: the global climate crisis and what we can do about it.
The 2016 Sydney Peace Prize Jury’s citation reads:
 
Naomi Klein: For exposing the structural causes and responsibility for the climate crisis, for inspiring us to stand up locally, nationally and internationally to demand a new agenda for sharing the planet that respects human rights and equality, and for reminding us of the power of authentic democracy to achieve transformative change and justice.

The Sydney Peace Prize is Australia’s international prize for peace, awarded by the Sydney Peace Foundation at the University of Sydney. The Prize recognises leading global voices that promote peace, justice and nonviolence. Past winners include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Arundhati Roy, and Professor Noam Chomsky.
“It is a tremendous honour to receive this recognition, Naomi Klein said. “It comes at a time when the impacts of the climate crisis are being acutely felt, from the devastating bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef to the horrific wildfires tearing across my own country. A great many people know in their hearts that now is the time for bold action. Yet political leadership is still lacking — and nowhere more so than in Australia.”
 
The Jury observed that many Australians feel let down by our politicians, and that the transition to a clean economy has been hampered by short-term thinking and the self-interest of powerful industries. “Klein’s award comes at a time when Australia is at a challenging crossroads”, said David Hirsch, Chair of the Sydney Peace Foundation. “We can act decisively on climate change if we want to.  We can be global leaders if we want to. Naomi Klein – bold, courageous and visionary – shows us how we can and why we should.”
 
The Jury commended Klein for proposing solutions that not only reduce emissions and end fossil fuel extraction, but also aim for social justice, economic fairness, and authentic representation. “She inspires people to demand a leap towards a society based on caring for each other and for the earth, and challenges feelings of powerlessness, apathy and confusion” said Hirsch. “We think that Klein’s message is one that Australians really want – and need to hear.”
 
“This award will help further articulate the need for a justice-based transition from fossil fuels, highlighting policies that dramatically lower emissions while creating huge numbers of jobs and battling systemic inequalities. I have no doubt that the jury’s decision will spark healthy debate, and I look forward to participating in those discussions,” Naomi Klein concluded. 
Recipients for the Sydney Peace Prize are selected from nominations submitted by the public. Nominate for the 2017 Prize can be sumitted until 30 June via www.sydneypeacefoundation.org.au.

Purchase tickets for the City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture at the Sydney Town Hall and the celebratory Gala Dinner at the Hilton Sydney on the evening of Friday 11 November via bit.ly/tickets-sydneypeaceprize or by contacting peace.foundation@sydney.edu.au / 9351 4468.
 
For media enquiries contact Katie Mayor: peace.foundation@sydney.edu.au or 0433 915 625.
For event enquiries contact Katie Gabriel on peace.foundation@sydney.edu.au.
Past Sydney Peace Prize Recipients respond to Naomi Klein’s award:
 
Mary Robinson, 2002 Sydney Peace Prize recipient, former President of Ireland:
“Climate change is the crisis of our generation and Naomi Klein’s efforts to raise awareness of this fact deserves recognition by the Sydney Peace Prize. Like Naomi, I believe that climate change is not just an environmental issue, it is an issue of human rights and justice. Therefore it is the responsibility of all of us to take appropriate action that will protect people as well as the planet.”
 
Arundhati Roy, 2004 Sydney Peace Prize recipient, author and human rights campaigner:
“Naomi Klein is a perfect choice for this prize. There is no looking away from the direct connection she makes between climate change and capitalism. I hope the Sydney Peace Prize will help to amplify her message.”
 
Dr Vandana Shiva, 2010 Sydney Peace Prize recipient, eminent scientist and environmentalist:
“I am so happy that Naomi Klein will be awarded this year’s Sydney Peace Prize. Naomi’s contributions to the movement for climate justice are a significant step in Making Peace with the Earth.”
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