On Thursday 22nd May, the Sydney Peace Foundation revealed that it is set to become an “independent legal entity” after 27 years as a foundation of the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS).
This was attributed to a “recommendation from the Faculty” itself, despite many FASS academic staff serving as “leaders in these world-renowned initiatives” within the Sydney Peace Foundation. The Foundation is funded through donations partnerships with FASS only providing in-kind support.
Founded by Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees in 1998, the Sydney Peace Foundation is Australia’s only international prize for peace. It serves as a non-profit organisation which annually awards leading social justice figures, and hosts events and panels to platform prominent voices advocating for “the meaning of peace, justice and alternatives to violence”.
At the Peace Prize announcement ceremony, the Foundation thanked the University for its partnership and said it would “embrace this new phase and are excited about the opportunities it presents.” It also noted its continuing partnerships with the City of Sydney, the New South Wales Teachers Federation, and Amnesty International Australia.
When queried by Honi on the motivation of this move, a spokesperson for the University of Sydney cited the “growing separation between the objectives of the Sydney Peace Foundation’s mission and our Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ strategic focus on delivering transformational teaching and research.”
The University also referenced “the current uncertain environment being experienced by the sector led to significant consultation throughout 2024 regarding our core priorities”.
The University added that “the Foundation’s Council has since voted to separate, announcing their exciting move towards independence yesterday, and we’re working closely together on a supported transition plan.”
They went on to “acknowledge the Foundation’s valuable contribution over many years, particularly its recognition of leading global peacemakers through its Sydney Peace Prize.”
The statement concluded, “we will continue to support the Prize through a multi-year agreement that includes sponsorship for the suite of Peace Week hallmark events as well as cross-promotion on our channels.
“We will also continue to provide internship opportunities for our students, and promote the activities of the Sydney Peace Foundation across our many channels.”
A statement to Honi attributable to the Sydney Peace Foundation read:
“Over the past two years, the Sydney Peace Foundation is proud at the way in which we have increasingly aligned its activities with teaching and learning priorities at the University – including an academic-focused public events programs, scholarships and a more robust student internship program.
As a new, not-for-profit entity we look forward to strengthening these initiatives with a broader coalition of academic, government and civil society organisations and expanding our honoured and greatly valued coalition of supporters.
At a time when the world is suffering an escalation of violence and military aggression, the mission of the Sydney Peace Foundation is ever more urgent. We thank the University for being our home for 27 years and are grateful for their commitment to support the new Foundation with a generous multi-year sponsorship agreement. Together, with a coalition of partners, we look forward to building a broader movement for peace and justice.”
The ceremony, hosted by Sydney Peace Foundation Patron and City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore also announced that Dr Navanethem ‘Navi’ Pillay, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and eminent international jurist, will be awarded the 2025 Sydney Peace Prize on 6th November.
Pillay was a former judge on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and on the International Criminal Court. She was also the first woman of colour to serve as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The jury noted that Pillay’s selection owed to a “lifetime of advocating for fundamental human rights, peace with justice and the rights of women, all of which serves a clarion call in the face of a growing culture of impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, towards accountability and responsibility”.
