SUA annually presents the Soka Global Citizen Award to recognize an individual for efforts, either throughout their life or for a major event/initiative, that embody the essential elements of global citizenship and address key issues facing society and the world. Each prize carries an award of $25,000 to further their work.
Global society today faces myriad interlocking crises. These include the issues of war, environmental degradation, the North-South development gap, and divisions among people based on differences of ethnicity, religion or language. The list is long and familiar, and the road to solutions may seem all too distant and daunting. It is my view, however, that the root of all these problems is our collective failure to make the human being – human happiness – the consistent focus and goal in all fields of endeavor. The human being is the point to which we must return and from which we must depart anew. What is required is a human transformation – a human revolution.
— Daisaku Ikeda, SUA founder at Teachers College, Columbia University, 1996
Jazz legend and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, honored for six decades using music to bridge cultures.
Executive director of Earth Charter International, honored for championing sustainability and global citizenship education.
Managing director for Africa and global partnerships at the World Resources Institute, honored for two decades advancing climate and environmental leadership.
Civil rights leader and diplomat, honored for a lifetime of peacebuilding and human rights work.
The award's inaugural recipient, honored for advancing the culture of peace and women's equality at the United Nations.
The candidate has made a major contribution to the global community and effected positive change in one of the following areas outlined by Mr. Ikeda:
The announcement and call for nominations from the public will commence each year on November 18. All members of the SUA community including students, faculty, staff, alumni are welcome to submit nominations.
Nomination submittals should include the following:
Nominations can be electronically submitted to SokaGlobalCitizen@soka.edu or by mail to:
Soka Global Citizen Award Committee
Soka University of America
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.
Any questions regarding the nominating process may be directed to SokaGlobalCitizen@soka.edu
Deadline for nomination submittals is January 31.