The University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Law announced today the three finalists for the inaugural Allard Prize for International Integrity. Established by UBC Law alumnus Mr. Peter A. Allard, QC, the $100,000 Allard Prize is one of the largest awards in the world recognizing efforts to combat corruption and promote human rights.
“Our outstanding finalists exemplify the values of the Allard Prize through their extraordinary courage and leadership in promoting transparency, accountability and the rule of law in opposing corruption and promoting and protecting human rights,” said Mr. Allard. “In celebrating these achievements and remarkable stories, the Allard Prize strives to inspire others to take up the fight against abuses of power and the suppression of human rights, wherever they arise.”
The 2013 Allard Prize finalists are:
- Global Witness – Based in London, U.K. and Washington, D.C., Global Witness has initiated trailblazing campaigns against natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated environmental and human rights abuses.
- Anna Hazare – One of India’s most influential and renowned social and political activists, Mr. Hazare has led popular movements to enhance government transparency and investigate and prosecute official corruption.
- Dr. Sima Samar – Dr. Samar is an internationally celebrated advocate for human and women’s rights. Dr. Samar has worked to raise global awareness about the detrimental impact of corruption on the promotion and protection of Afghan human and women’s rights.
The winner of the Allard Prize will be announced on September 25, 2013 at a ceremony at the UBC Faculty of Law at Allard Hall in Vancouver, British Columbia. The other two finalists will each be given Honourable Mention recognition and a $25,000 cash prize. These three finalists were selected from a short list of six nominees, which also included: Peter Eigen, John Githongo and Chen Guangcheng.
“UBC Law has a deep and longstanding history of advancing human rights,” says Dean Mary Anne Bobinski. “Faculty members have been pioneers supporting the human rights of women, indigenous communities and the rights of victims of crime around the world.”
BACKGROUNDER
The Allard Prize for International Integrity
Established in October 2012 and funded by UBC Law alumnus, Mr. Peter A. Allard, QC, the Allard Prize for International Integrity is awarded to an individual, movement or organization that has shown exceptional courage and leadership in combating corruption, especially through promoting transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
After a comprehensive review process, the finalists were selected from more than 100 nominations received, representing 48 countries around the world.
The Allard Prize, which is administered by UBC Law at Allard Hall, is steered by a prize committee composed of representatives of both UBC Law at Allard Hall and the private sector, in consultation with the Allard Prize Advisory Board. Learn more about the Allard Prize on the following website, which features content translated into over 10 languages: www.allardprize.org.
The Allard Prize Advisory Board
The Advisory Board includes individuals who have substantial experience in and commitment to the fight against corruption and for human rights: Dr. Mark S. Ellis, B.S., J.D., Ph. D. (Executive Director, International Bar Association, London, England); Mr. James M. Klotz, LL.B. (Partner, Miller Thomson LLP, Toronto, Canada); Justice Ellen G. Northfleet (Partner, Ellen Gracie Advogados Associados , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil); and Stephen Zimmermann, Esq. (Director of Operations, Integrity Vice Presidency, The World Bank).
The Allard Prize Committee
Natasha Affolder, Associate Professor at UBC Faculty of Law; Rob King, Principal at Westbridge Capital Group; Geoff Lyster, Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP; Richard Olsen, Lawyer at McKechnie and Company; Benjamin Richardson, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Law & Sustainability at UBC Faculty of Law; and James Stewart, Assistant Professor at UBC Faculty of Law.
Allard Prize Photo Competition
UBC Law oversees the Allard Prize Photo Competition that recognizes photographic excellence reflecting the ideals of the Allard Prize. Each winning entrant receives a $1,000 cash prize and will be featured on the Allard Prize website for six months. Up to six photographs will be selected every six months. Learn more: http://www.allardprize.org/photography-competition/
Allard Prize Award Design Competition
In addition to the $100,000, the recipient of the Allard Prize for International Integrity will also receive the Allard Prize Award, an original creative work, as a symbol of the Allard Prize and its enduring legacy. A competition was launched earlier this year, inviting designers and artists around the world to submit their concepts and proposals for the Allard Prize Award. Congratulations to Diatom Studio (Greg Saul and Tiago Rorke) whose design entry has been selected. Learn more: http://www.allardprize.org/award-competition/
Peter A. Allard, QC
The Allard Prize for International Integrity was created by Mr. Peter A. Allard, QC, as part of his 2011 gift of $11.86 million to UBC’s Faculty of Law. This gift, which is the largest in the Faculty’s history and one of the largest to legal education in Canada, also supported the creation of the Faculty’s new home, Allard Hall. Throughout his career as a lawyer and businessman, Mr. Allard has assumed leadership roles in human rights, environmental advocacy and other philanthropic work. Mr. Allard graduated from UBC with a B.A. in History in 1968, and a LL.B. in 1971. After graduation, Mr. Allard practiced law and participated in various business enterprises. In 1993, he established the Highbury Foundation, which has assisted medical communities in B.C. and Alberta with support for research and the purchase of medical equipment. The Highbury Foundation has also made significant donations to colleges and universities across Western Canada for scholarships and building needs.
UBC Law at Allard Hall
UBC’s Faculty of Law at Allard Hall, located in Vancouver, Canada, is one of the world’s leading legal education and research centres. Its faculty engages in research with national and global reach and provides students with some of the most extensive and innovative curricular opportunities of any Canadian law school. The law school offers strengths in many fields, including business law, international law, environmental and natural resources law, and Indigenous legal issues. Graduates have gone on to leadership positions in a broad range of spheres, from the legal profession, to government, public interest organizations, business and academia. www.law.ubc.ca