Generations For Peace uses sport as a tool to tackle conflict in some of the world's worst affected war-zones.

The pioneers are trained at Generations For Peace camps and work tirelessly at home striving to implement what they are taught.

Prince Feisal Al Hussein and Princess Sarah Al-Feisal presided over the awards ceremony that was split into four categories: innovation, quality, impact and sustainability.

Sangsuk Roh, President of Samsung Electronics Levant Company, which sponsored the awards and gala dinner, was also in attendance.

"Samsung's partnership with Generations For Peace signifies our strong commitment and belief that leaders of youth can be empowered to create a more peaceful future for their communities, extending their reach by cascading and passing on the values of Generations For Peace," he said.

Prince Feisal commented: "These awards recognise the really outstanding efforts of pioneers in four categories that we believe are drivers of change that we must focus on: innovation, quality, impact and sustainability.

"These values lie at the heart of the partnership between Generations For Peace and Samsung.

"We have over 300 certified Generations For Peace Pioneers in 48 countries and territories on three continents, and all are worthy of awards."


He continued: "They have implemented peace building programmes in their home communities, passing on their knowledge, skills and values to more than 5,300 other leaders of youth.

"This cascading process has reached second, third, fourth and now even fifth generation pioneers.

"Together, their programmes have touched the lives of more than 75,000 children."

Bernice Dapaah of Ghana won the award for Innovation for her work, providing peace-building programmes to girls and women from different communities.

"I'm most grateful to Generations For Peace for this award," said Daapah.

"It is one more opportunity for me to spread my message and my project with young people and women.

"I am passionate about making changes in their lives."

The executive director of the Bright Generation Community Foundation, Daapah's impressive work has been replicated in two other communities as well as winning various international awards.

"It is better to prepare a child than to repair an adult," said Zahid Johnson, recipient of the Quality accolade.

"I can't find the words to say what this award means to me working on the ground in my country," he commented.

A basketball player, Johnson is the director of a Non-Governmental Organisation co-founded with sports workers and has spent several years based in Pakistan.

He has worked with thousands of children, providing them with educational and sporting activities.

"After personally experiencing the effects of conflict and violence in 2004 when my house was attacked by a rampaging mob that swept through my town, I knew I had to try to do something to make a difference," said Nigerian Michael Sodipo, who earned the award for Impact.

"This was not right.

"These boys had not been given a chance at life."

Sodipo founded the Nigerian Peace Initiative Network and encouraged people to find solutions to problems rather than seeking revenge.

He also heads the Generations For Peace office in Kano and has worked with over 8,000 young people.

Paul Wel Yithak, who was handed the Generations For Peace accolade for Sustainability, said: "This award will help me operate my programme for building peace with more dedication and concerted effort.

"I can better support my country in the divided communities in the post-conflict areas of South Sudan working with Generations For Peace."

Yithak refused to join the Sudanese military at the age of 18 and subsequently spent many years in prison before becoming a humanitarian activist.

He has since worked with children on both sides of the bloody civil war that has affected Sudan in recent years.

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