Other Prizes
Understanding the global landscape
Not a level playing field
Around the world, prestigious awards have long been used to recognise excellence, innovation, and leadership across various domains — from peace-building and science to literature, education, and human rights. Many of these awards have a rich history and have brought global attention to individuals and causes of great merit.
However, in reviewing the landscape of existing global honours, one cannot ignore a clear and persistent trend: the remarkable contributions of Afro-descendants — across Africa and the global diaspora — remain significantly underrepresented in many of these prestigious platforms.
Recognition — But not for all
While awards like the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer, and the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought have honored great minds and courageous spirits, their recognition of Afro-descendants has often been infrequent, inconsistent, or narrowly framed. For instance:
- In 2024, despite the achievements of countless Afro-descendant innovators, not a single person of African descent was among the Nobel Prize laureates.
- The Sakharov Prize, established by the European Parliament in 1988 and first awarded to Nelson Mandela, has in recent decades focused on a particular narrative of human rights — one that tends to align with geopolitical interests rather than reflect the full diversity of human rights struggles worldwide.
- Other awards that claim to be international have often operated more as celebratory platforms for elite circles, sometimes honoring individuals based on financial contributions, social status, or political visibility rather than impact or service.
The case for The Global Prize
This persistent under-representation is not merely an oversight — it reflects systemic gaps in how excellence is defined, where it is sought, and who gets to be seen.
The Global Prize was conceived to address this imbalance.
It is a bold and necessary step toward ensuring that Afro-descendant excellence — in science, arts, leadership, innovation, education, entrepreneurship, social justice, and beyond — receives the global recognition, documentation, and celebration it truly deserves.
Unlike some award systems that may be influenced by wealth, proximity to power, or institutional affiliations, The Global Prize is being built on the pillars of independence, merit, global participation, and historical justice.
Why representation matters
Representation in awards is not just symbolic — it shapes narratives, inspires generations, and influences global priorities. When those who have advanced humanity through extraordinary creativity, courage, and ingenuity are honored, the world takes note. Young people take note. History takes note.
By ensuring that the achievements of people of African descent are not only remembered but celebrated, The Global Prize contributes to rewriting a more complete, inclusive, and truthful global story.
Not a critique, but a call forward
This page is not intended to diminish the value of existing award institutions. Many of them have changed lives and brought global awareness to worthy causes. But we believe it is also essential to reflect on what remains missing — and to do something about it.
The Global Prize aims to be one of the defining legacies of the United Nations’ Second Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034) — not just as an award, but as a movement for visibility, justice, excellence, and pride.