JPIIJPC WINS THE INAUGURAL ST. JOHN PAUL II AWARD IN VATICAN
St. John Paul II Award, established by the Vatican John Paul II Foundation, recognizes outstanding contributions to human dignity, justice, and peace. In 2024, John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre (JPIIJPC) became the inaugural recipient in recognition of nearly two decades of work addressing poverty, conflict, human trafficking, environmental challenges, and social injustice through research, advocacy, community empowerment, and grassroots action.
The global arena of humanitarian work and religious ministry requires both moral leadership and structural support to tackle systemic inequality. Established by the Rome-based Vatican John Paul II Foundation, St. John Paul II Award (Premio San Giovanni Paolo II) serves as a prestigious international mechanism to honor those who translate Catholic social teaching into tangible, transformative action. Conferred at least every two years by a highly selective 13-member international Chapter, the accolade formally recognizes individuals, groups, or institutions dedicated to defending human dignity and fostering peace across the globe.
Financially and symbolically, the award provides substantial validation for grassroots initiatives. Recipients are presented with a grant intended to scale their operations, a commemorative diploma, and a unique bronze statuette designed by artist Karolina Koch. This visual anchor depicts Pope John Paul II in a contemplative yet resolute stance, symbolizing the intellectual and spiritual heritage the award aims to preserve. The inaugural presentation took place on May 22, 2024, within the historic Apostolic Palace at the Vatican, marking a milestones in the Foundation's history.
The first-ever recipient of this honor was John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre . Founded between 2006 and 2007 through a collaborative effort by multiple religious institutes and missionary congregations—including the Comboni Missionaries, Holy Cross Missionaries, Mill Hill Missionaries, Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, Society of Jesus, Comboni Missionary Sisters and Missionaries of Africa—the Centre was born out of a collective response to the devastating civil conflict in Northern Uganda. By anchoring its operations in Catholic social doctrine, the Centre has spent nearly two decades addressing the root causes of poverty, conflict, and societal marginalization through a multi-tiered approach.
The Centre’s work spans across four primary pillars: community training, academic research, policy advocacy, and grassroots action. Rather than relying solely on short-term relief, the institution empowers local leaders, catechists, and citizens to become self-sufficient agents of justice. Its programs tackle critical modern issues including human trafficking prevention, environmental stewardship in the spirit of Laudato si’, youth unemployment, and civic education. By winning the inaugural prize, JPIIJPC shone as a global spotlight on the vital role that local, faith-based institutions play in building sustainable peace.
