May 01, 2024

In collaboration with Pale Bleu Dot Foundation:

Presentation


In a context marked by record military expenditures and global tensions exacerbated by persistent conflicts, the Executive Education HEC Montréal, in collaboration with Pale Bleu Dot Foundation – Japan, is launching the Global Media Peace Awards. This initiative aims to encourage and support peace-building efforts on a global scale. Open to all, these awards will recognize the contributions of radio and television broadcasters, digital media experts and citizens, public and private, in conflict prevention and resolution. In three distinct categories, these awards will honor excellence in radio, television, and digital media. We firmly believe in the vital role of media in influencing societies to address global challenges and promoting peace.  

Join us for this inaugural 2024 edition and contribute to shaping a more harmonious world for future generations. 

Applications closed

“Today, humanity is facing unprecedented challenges, from natural and man-made conflicts and climate change to environmental degradation. These crises inflict immense suffering on humanity and pose severe risks to our planet. More than ever, there is an urgent need to foster peace, tolerance, mutual understanding, and sustainable development by changing our mindsets, behaviours, and actions. Media can play a crucial role in shaping the public opinion and help bring peace and sustainability. We invite radio and television broadcasters, digital media experts and citizens, public and private, to join us in this movement and constructive dialogue by submitting your programs on conflict prevention or conflict resolution to Executive Education HEC Montréal.”

- Dr Javad Mottaghi, Adjunct Professor, Department of International Business, HEC·Montreal

Awards Categories


The Awards are presented to the most innovative and remarkable radio, video/television and digital programs/ contents/ stories focused on the proposed topic, with the intent of encouraging high-quality program production.

Considering relevant storytelling on peacekeeping as the main topic of the Awards, the accepted media genres in this competition are documentary, reportage, and docudrama. News programs and radio drama will also be accepted for these Awards. The theme / message of the story/ program should be on conflict prevention or conflict resolution.

Three cash prizes will be awarded in each of the following 3 categories:

Radio Awards

1st Award: C$ 5,000
2nd Award: C$ 2,500
3rd Award: C$ 1,500

Television Awards 

1st Award: C$ 5,000
2nd Award: C$ 2,500
3rd Award: C$ 1,500

Digital Media Awards

1st Award: C$ 5,000
2nd Award: C$ 2,500
3rd Award: C$ 1,500

Radio Awards

1st Award: C$ 5,000
2nd Award: C$ 2,500
3rd Award: C$ 1,500

Television Awards 

1st Award: C$ 5,000
2nd Award: C$ 2,500
3rd Award: C$ 1,500

Digital Media Awards

1st Award: C$ 5,000
2nd Award: C$ 2,500
3rd Award: C$ 1,500

Eligibility


Executive Education HEC Montreal and Pale Bleu Dot Foundation- Japan Media Peace Awards are open to all public and private media organisations. The Awards are also open to individual content producers.

All radio, TV and digital media programs produced or co-produced* in any country and broadcast between January 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024, are eligible for entry to these Awards. The programs will be accepted in the competition only once.

Each participant can submit one (1) entry, in each category, either reportage, documentary, or docudrama, of a maximum duration of 52 minutes. Entries must be free from any political propaganda or intentional commercial advertising. Storytelling through animation is also acceptable.

*A program made in co-production by two or more organisations may only be entered in the competition by one of the co-producing organisations, on the basis of a written agreement with the co-producers.

Registration


The Programs competing for the Global Media Peace Awards should be registered in the competition by filling in the registration form.

Each applicant must submit:

  1. their radio, television, or digital media program(s) in mp3 or wav format, in the original language;
  2. in a single document, the following information in English:
    - an accompanying script,
    - a synopsis,
    - and the biographies of the director / producer of the respective program.

All entries, together with the filled in registration form, must be submitted by WeTransfer to the Executive Education HEC Montréal Awards Secretariat before August 30, 2024, at the following e-mail address: executiveeducation@hec.ca

By entering the Program(s) in the competition, participants shall guarantee that the Program(s) design and production comply with applicable law, especially copyright law. By registering under these Awards, participants declare and guarantee that they are the exclusive owners and/or have the exclusive availability of all exploitation rights of the Program(s), also in the name and on behalf of any third-party owners. 

Executive Education HEC Montreal and Pale Bleu Dot Foundation- Japan Media Peace Awards competition does not require registration fees from the participating organisations. 

Applications closed

Goals

  • Encourage media journalists and producers to promote peace and sustainable development through innovative media programs highlighting the significance of peace keeping, conflict prevention and conflict resolution.
  • Inspire the general public, young people in particular, about the importance of peace-making, mutual understanding, commitment to preventing crises as well as solidarity for resolving conflicts and safeguarding our planet.
  • Foster the capacity of media creators and producers to engage themselves in peacebuilding and sustainable development.
  • Showcase the originality and importance of the subject – conflict prevention and resolution – and its treatment, which must be reflected in the innovative and impactful approach of the programs. 

“The Russo-Ukrainian or Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, among others, exacerbate global tensions, while the rise of racism and intolerance constitutes another major concern. In the face of these challenges, Executive Education HEC Montréal, in partnership with international actors, is honored to participate in the Global Media Peace Awards, whose main objective is to promote and support efforts to strengthen peace on a global scale.”

- Serge Lafrance, Director, Executive Education HEC Montréal, and Associate Professor Member of the UNICON Board of Directors

Jury


The Jury for all categories shall be formed of five members or more. The Jury members are appointed by the Award organizers at their discretion, taking into account their recognized media expertise, balanced representation and other criteria considered relevant. The Jury shall be presided by a chairperson, appointed by the organizers, among the renowned experts with whom they collaborate.  

If an organisation enters a program in the competition and there is a member of the Jury that is linked to that organisation, they will not vote on that program. 

  • Relevance: The rewarded program adds new viewpoints to the proposed topic. 
  • Innovation and creativity: The program is innovative and original in approaching to address the topic. 
  • Professionalism: The realization of the program complies with professional journalism principles. 
  • Impartiality: The program demonstrates the impartiality of storytelling. 
  • Production technique: Narration, music and sound effects are appropriate, and the overall production makes a memorable and strong impression on the listener.  
  • A role model for future generations: the program can inspire the audience and offers models for peacebuilding in the future. 
  • Debate-oriented: The program encourages debate and contributes to a more profound knowledge of the topic. 
  • Positiveness: Although addressing a topic related to warfare and conflict, the program's focus on the peace-making process demonstrates a capacity to highlight positive ways to overcome crisis situations. Building positive peace is one of the key messages. 

Global Media Peace Awards (GMPA), presented jointly by Executive Education HEC Montréal and Pale Bleu Dot (PBD) Foundation, Japan, is more than just an event. It is a platform to recognize and celebrate the critical role played by media creators in promoting peace and its fundamental element, sustainable development. Our planet, Earth, is precious, yet facing crises from conflict to climate change. Peace and sustainability, rooted in our minds, are crucial for a brighter future. Media holds immense power to shape societies and influence our world. As Johan Galtung highlights, positive peace goes beyond the absence of wars and conflicts to foster harmony. Amidst crises, understanding and presenting diverse realities are vital. Let us embark on this joint endeavour for a better tomorrow.”

- Shigeru Aoyagi, Founder and Director General, Pale Bleu Dot Foundation, Japan - Former UNESCO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific

Jury Members

Members

  • Dan Santa (Chairperson), Ph. D., director-International Relations, Radio Romania
  • Andrea Borgnino, Journalist, author, and radio host, Rai – Italy
  • Irina Kornienko, Director of the Radio Culture Channel of the Ukrainian Public Broadcaster
  • Giedrius Masalskis, Head of Radio - The Lithuanian Public Broadcaster
  • Colleen Holder, Dir. Corp. Comms. & Productions, Parliament of Trinidad, and Tobago
  • Ade Irosadi, Head of LPP RRI- Indonesia
  • Flavia Voinea, Journalist, Manager of Bucharest FM Radio Romania Regional Network

Take a look at the jury members

Members

  • Bob Collins (Chairperson), Former DG of RTÉ, Ireland’s National Broadcaster
  • Moneeza Hashmi, Trustee Faiz Foundation
  • Akhtar Viqar Azim, Former Managing Director of Pakistan Television
  • Feten Fradi, Head of Arab and International Cooperation Unit ad-interim at ASBU (Arab States Broadcasting Union)
  • Jun Ogawa, Representative for International Affairs at BPO Japan
  • Xia Jixuan, Vice-president, China Public Relations Association - Former Executive Vice-president of China Radio International (CRI)
  • Berthe Mbala, Director of TV Antennas at Cameroon Radio and Television
  • Walter Ingrassia, Head of Marketing and Promotion and Senior Producer - Scripted at Rai

Take a look at the jury members

Members

  • Manuela Kasper-Claridge (Chairperson), Editor-In-Chief of Deutsche Welle, Germany’s International Public Broadcaster
  • Rebecca Hanson, Director-General, North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
  • Kyung Heekim, Executive Producer of KBS Radio's Hanminjok Channel
  • Wendy Everett, Journalist - leading her own media consultancy in Australia
  • Chevaan Daniel, Group Director of The Capital Maharaja Organization Sri Lanka
  • Steve Ahern, Manager of ABC Radio Sydney
  • Akim Mogaji, Expert trainer, Change-maker and Producer-Co-funded New Media Networks (NMN) 

Take a look at the jury members

International Partners

Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators

For further comments or questions, you may contact


Dr Javad Mottaghi, Adjunct Professor, Department of International Business, HEC Montréal  

OR  

Mr Shigeru Aoyagi, Director-General, PBD Foundation   

Applications closed