CALL FOR NOMINATION! The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) Human Rights Award

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The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), a continental ecumenical body of over 140 million Christians across the continent has launched a biennial Pan-African award to recognize progressive and touchable faith-based leadership (individuals, and or institutions) in areas of promoting democracy, governance, human rights and rule of law. 

The award will recognise those who have made particularly significant contributions to the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights, governance and the rule of law in Africa. The Independent Awards Committee has a responsibility of ensuring the implementation of a credible and transparent nomination, screening and selection process and identifying winners who will receive the award at the 12th General Assembly of the AACC in November 2023.

The award scheme is in recognition of human rights as basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world (from birth until death) and apply regardless of your origin, belief or way of life. These basic rights are based on shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence. They cannot be taken away, although they can sometimes be restricted. These values are defined and protected by law. Therefore, the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights thrives in a society where there is respect for rule of law, good governance, transparency, accountability, citizen participation and effective state institutions.

Human Rights and the Rule of Law came top on the African agenda during the wave of democratization in the 1990s. This vision is further expressed in Aspiration 3 of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 which provides for an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law. The aspiration also seeks to build a continent of capable institutions and transformed leadership at all levels and facilitate the emergence of development-oriented and visionary leadership in all spheres.

In view of this, the AACC through their project, “Enhancing capacities of the AACC to heighten its advocacy role for human dignity & justice in the continent” is instituting a biennial Pan African award to recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations whose life mission is championing human rights, good governance and the rule of law. This is to inspire African citizens to commit to the transformation of the continent towards attaining an inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.

To achieve this objective, the AACC through its Advocacy Advisory Group has set up an Independent Awards Committee. This Committee will lead, engage with and oversee the nomination process, screening and selecting a winner for the award. This is also to ensure that the awards are organised in a credible and transparent manner.

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