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NOMINEES FOR 2008 CHATNAM HOUSE PRIZE

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010189692
Linda Young - AHN Editor
London, England (AHN)
February 29, 2008 12:22 p.m. EST

Four Nominees For 2008 Chatham House Prize

Voting is now open for the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Chatham House Prize. The now annual contest began in 2005 when the Royal Institute of International Affairs presented Ukraine's President Victor Yushchenko with the award for his demonstrated "political courage and skill" in "steering a peaceful process of political change in Ukraine."

Chatham House is home to the Royal Institute of International Affairs, which was founded in 1920 as a "world-leading source of independent analysis, informed debate and influential ideas on how to build a prosperous and secure world for all."

Some people have criticized Chatham House rules, established in 1927, which provide for free speech by protecting confidentiality. Under the rules, reporters can't disclose the identities of people who speak at international conferences held at Chatham House.

But the rules are designed to allow freewheeling discussions and the open sharing of information so that leaders can collect information from high-ranking sources that otherwise might not speak openly.

Members of Chatham House can vote online for the person they think deserves the 2008 Chatham House Prize. The four nominees for this year's prize are:

His Highness the Aga Khan, founder of the Aga Khan Development Network. Khan was nominated for his 50 years of work to "improve the living conditions and opportunities for some of the poorest people in conflict-ridden countries regardless of their origin or religion."

U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Hill was nominated for his work, "as head of the U.S. delegation to the Six-Party Talks between the United States, North Korea, South Korea, China, Russia and Japan," in keeping the talks alive and viable. Hill's work resulted in the North Korean government in late 2007 agreeing to shut down its nuclear facilities.

Ghana's President John Kufuor. He is known as the "Gentle Giant." President Kufuor was nominated for bringing peace and economic growth to his nation during his time in office. His first term in 2000 marked that nation's first peaceful transfer of power. He has also "taken a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts, including those in Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire."

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel. She was nominated for "managing difficult negotiations to achieve significant international breakthroughs. Germany held both the G8 and EU presidencies during the year." Also, as president of the European Council, she overcame deep divisions and as chair of the G8 reached "consensus on climate change."

In 2006, the prize went to former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano. In 2007 Her Highness Sheikha Mozah, chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, was awarded the prize.


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