Pope Francis has emphasised the importance of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity to address global humanitarian challenges, such as world hunger.
He made the comments during a meeting with the 2025 judging committee at the Vatican. Pope Francis discussed strategies to advance peace and to address human fraternity issues, state news agency Wam reported on Tuesday.
The award was established on February 4, 2019, to mark the meeting in Abu Dhabi between Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed Al Tayeb. It allocates $1 million to a person, group or organisation that works to further peaceful co-existence in the world.
As an honorary recipient of the award in 2019, Pope Francis meets annually with the award's judging committee. "There are millions of famished children around the world – children have to go through waste to find food," Pope Francis said. The judging committee includes leaders from diverse sectors and places: Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America are represented.
"Pope Francis is a true hero for peace and human fraternity and his ongoing support for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ... which unites people of all backgrounds and promotes understanding amid the chaos and conflicts of our world," said secretary general and judge Mohamed Abdelsalam.
Cardinal Peter Turkson said the members of the committee were invited to be "apostles of hope" by Pope Francis. The award, he added, provides "a flicker of hope that shows us that peace is on the horizon and that humanity will not be overcome by the shadows of war and injustice".
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, former president of Spain, said they are "seeking to recognise the brave men and women who are pursuing peace at all costs", while Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the WTO, described them as "agents of change".
Patricia Scotland KC, secretary general of the Commonwealth, called Pope Francis a "great inspiration" and said their discussions looked at "how conflict does not have to be the path forward for humanity and that peace is not just a desire but can be a reality".
The judging committee is in Rome to continue its deliberations on the 2025 award, with the winners to be announced during a ceremony in February 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
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Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
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How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
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Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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