IRIAD Prize - Golden Doves for Peace, 2015
Last night took place XXXI edition of the IRIAD Prize – Golden Doves for Peace, at the MAXXI in Rome.
It provides recognition to those promote peace and coexistence in the mass media and society and look for non-violent solutions to controversies. There are many crisis zones in the world. So, also this year our doves look with apprehension and participation to the Mediterranean. Here (not only here, unfortunately) wars, terrorism, poverty, exploitation and human rights deprivation stimulate our consciousness and pose difficult challenges. A lot of journalists courageously face every day these hard situations. Thanks to them we know what happens beyond the sea, over few kilometers from our homes. Mass media are crucial, as well as some local communities living on the italian border and facing generously globalization's emergencies.
For these reasons the Information category IRIAD Prize was assigned to the following talented operators:
- Laura Silvia Battaglia: a freelance journalist who works as a documentary filmmaker and reporter in conflict zones;
- Gianpaolo Cadalanu (La Repubblica): he told the main conflicts in the Middle East and Africa;
- Corrado Formigli and his staff (Piazza Pulita - La7) for tenacious investigation and analysis of the political and cultural italian debate.
In addition, a Jury Special Prize was assigned to Emiliano Abramo, the Comunità di Sant’Egidio - Sicilia Onlus president, who welcomes the migrants and asylum seekers and gives them the opportunity to help others.
Although more evident, however, migration is not the only emergency in a globalized world. In fact, it is also necessary bring humanity to a balanced and respectful relationship with nature and animals. This is the goal of the Compassion in World Farming, NGO directed by Philip Lymbery, which received, in the nutrition’s year, the International Personality IRIAD Prize. He was honored by the famous actor Luca Zingaretti, Golden Dove for Peace in 2003, who has read some steps of Farmageddon, book documenting the intensive farming failures on animals, environment, public health, food safety. Along with water shortage, it is considered one of the main causes of armed conflicts.
At the ceremony took part Laura Boldrini, too. She briefly explained the dramatic global situation and lauded who daily work with sacrifice and courage to get a better world. The Chamber of Deputies president thanked IRIAD, too, for the incessant work of these years, "during which it analyzed the international dynamics and indicated the main present and future critical situations to society and political leadership".
The professional and emotional testimony of the 2015 winners confirms that a real contribution to peace and solidarity is possible. They deserve our plaudit and gratitude for having revived the hope for a better future.
