Peace Award for 90-yr-old activist
Ninety-year-old peace activist Dr Stella Cornelius has been internationally recognised for her efforts towards achieving peace and has been presented with the International Peace Award from the United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA).
The award was presented at a function held in her honour in the NSW Parliament House theatrette in Sydney.
Previous winners include former South African President Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, East Timor President Xanana Gusmao and former Irish President Mary Robinson.
The award was presented by Sir Laurence Street and the ceremony was addressed by UNAA national president Professor Robert Hill, a former Australian Defence Minister. Their remarks were followed by a litany of accolades, including from seven high school students, all of whom saluted Cornelius as their role model.
The citation stated: “The International Peace Award is made to Dr Cornelius for a lifetime of devotion to peace, conflict resolution and social justice issues; and in particular for initiating the Peace and Conflict Resolution Program of the UNAA 1973; the Conflict Resolution Network; the Media Peace Awards 1979; the Ministry for Peace Campaign 1983; the Bilateral Peace Treaties Proposal.”
Dr Cornelius, who is Jewish and has an AO and OBE after her name, founded the Conflict Resolution Network and is a doyenne among peace activists. In 2000 Mandela presented her with a certificate in recognition of her achievements in the arena of conflict resolution and education.
In the audience to honour Dr Cornelius was NSW Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff. “Stella Cornelius is an inspiration,” he said. “She is as incisive and involved in the issues today as she ever was. Anyone who is in the business of working towards social cohesion need look no further for a model of dedication and commitment.”
