On 20 November 2018, Archbishop Desmond Tutu awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize to David Hogg, Emma González, Jaclyn Corin and Matt Deitsch for organizing a student movement against gun violence, called March for our Lives.
The four students initiated this anti-gun violence movement, with the help of more than 20 of their fellow classmates, after 17 people were killed inside their high-school, in February 2018. They organized the March For Our Lives event in the spring of 2018 to demand safer schools and communities and to protest gun violence. They have lobbied, held town hall rallies, and persuaded thousands of young people to register to vote. Since its advent, over 25 US states have passed more than 50 pieces of legislation consistent with the cause of March For Our Lives.
About the International Children’s Peace Prize
The International Children’s Peace Prize is awarded annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable actions have made a difference in improving children’s rights, which helps children worldwide. The motivation behind the prize is to provide a platform for children to express their ideas and personal involvement in children’s rights. The prize was launched by Kidsright during the 2005 World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates at the Capital of Rome, chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev. Since then, the prize has been presented every year by a Nobel Peace Laureate. The International Children’s Peace Prize is an initiative of Marc Dullaert, Chairman and Founder of the KidsRights Foundation.
The prize recognizes the achievements of the young winner and offers a global platform to promote his or her ideals and further their work. With the newfound attention, these young heroes’ messages reach an international audience of millions.