2017 McNulty Prize Laureates Announced

ASPEN, Colo., July 30, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aspen Institute and Anne Welsh McNulty announced the tenth annual John P. McNulty Prize Laureates, four extraordinary leaders from across the world who felt the moral imperative to act, and who have used their entrepreneurialism and professional expertise to address seemingly intractable challenges in their communities.

From training Syrian journalists in objective, reliable reporting on the conflict; to giving Palestinian and Honduran youth experience in governance and holding elections; to extending training and access to markets for formerly displaced Ugandan farmers; to creating a national platform for civic engagement in Panama, the 2017 Laureates are changing the world in innovative, scalable and replicable ways. 

"These individuals have each used their specific expertise and skills to build world-changing organizations, but what really unites them is that their ventures all put agency, opportunity and self-determination in the hands of the individuals and communities they benefit," said Anne Welsh McNulty, President of the John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation and Trustee of the Aspen Institute.

The McNulty Prize is given annually to honor the visionary work of Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and their social ventures. The 2017 Laureates were announced on July 29 at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum, and each Laureate will receive $25,000 to further his or her venture. An international jury, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, international statesman Olara Otunnu, development expert Brizio Biondi-Morra, and President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker, will select the winner. The winning venture will receive $100,000, and will be announced in November in New York City.

The 2017 Laureates:

SYRIA DIRECT | AMJAD TADROS
Jordan

By training new generations of Syrian reporters, entrepreneur and award-winning journalist Amjad Tadros is ensuring that Syrian perspectives are heard, and that the world has access to objective, truthful in-depth reporting on the region.

TRAIL (Transforming Agriculture for Improved Livelihoods) | BRUCE ROBERTSON
Uganda

Following the Lord's Resistance Army's devastation of Northern Uganda, agriculture executive Bruce Robertson is rebuilding the region's economy and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through agronomy training, financial literacy, and access to markets and capital.

VOLUNTARIOS DE PANAMÁ | CAROLINA FREIRE
Panama

Uniting a broad network of private, public and nonprofit stakeholders, public policy specialist Carolina Freire is shifting the national culture around civic engagement, and propelling citizens to address community challenges by spearheading Panama's first national volunteer platform.

YOUTH LOCAL COUNCILS | LANA ABU-HIJLEH
Palestine with global replication

Building the next generation's experience and faith in peaceful democracy, development expert Lana Abu-Hijleh is enabling youth in places like Palestine and Honduras to hold democratic elections, serve constituent communities, and practice good governance in full-fledged councils.

The announcement was celebrated on July 29 at the Resnick Aspen Action Forum. Watch the Laureates pitch their bold ideas: http://agln.aspeninstitute.org/live 

About The John P. McNulty Prize
Founded by Anne Welsh McNulty in honor of her late husband John, the McNulty Prize celebrates the boldness and impact of individuals who are using their exceptional leadership abilities, entrepreneurial spirit and private sector talents to address the world's toughest challenges.

Each year, the winner is selected by a jury that has previously included Mary Robinson, Bill Gates, Sr. and Sir Richard Branson. The winner receives $100,000 and each Laureate receives $25,000 to further his or her venture. The Prize is given in partnership with the Aspen Institute, and recognizes exceptional leadership ventures undertaken by Fellows of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

For more information, visit www.mcnultyprize.org. Follow @McNultyPrize on Twitter and join the conversation using #McNultyPrize.

The Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN) is a growing, worldwide community of more than 2,500 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from over 50 countries who share a commitment to enlightened leadership and to using their creativity, energy and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our times. Fellows convene annually at the AGLN's flagship event, the Resnick Aspen Action Forum. For more information, visit agln.aspeninstitute.org.

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

SOURCE The Aspen Institute

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