The Ojai Peace Coalition's exclusive Noble Peace Prize has been awarded annually since 2007 in conjunction with
the International Day of Peace, a fixed calendar date set by the United Nations as September 21 of each year.
the International Day of Peace, a fixed calendar date set by the United Nations as September 21 of each year.
Ojai's exclusive Peace Award
The Noble Peace Prize concept - an obvious play on the internationally awarded NOBEL Peace Prize - was first shared at a casual but intentional gathering of Ojai-area peace activists, and it resonated immediately with our philosophy that to create a working Culture of Peace, we must infuse peace practices and values into those elements which make up "culture".
One of those elements is heroes and legends; those events and people that a community holds up as exemplary. By holding up our local peace workers as s/heroes, we are literally building that culture.
The paradox is that peace workers, by their nature, tend to avoid the spotlight and are commonly uncomfortable taking individual credit for their work. While this cooperative attitude is ALSO very much part of the foundation of Peace, we have made the appeal many times that our honorees stretch themselves just a little to allow us to build community around them, to let us celebrate them and their noble efforts and organizations.
The award medal was designed in 2007 by Ojai Peace Coalition founder evan austin, and incorporates the classic peace symbol with the image of a flaming torch to symbolize the noble and impassioned actions of its recipients.
The founding cornerstone action of the Ojai Peace Coalition was their peace-themed entry into Ojai's Independence Day parade in 2005. After the establishment of the Noble Peace Prize, it was our custom to feature each honoree in the following year's parade entry. This practice was observed from 2008 to 2010, after which time parade interest/participation waned, and the OPC has not participated in the Independence Day parade since that time.
Beginning in 2010, upon the generous donations of Ojai Peace Coalition members, awarding of the Noble Peace Prize now also includes a cash gift to the recipient. This is given with no conditions or earmarks, in good faith that it will be used for the honoree's continued noble efforts, which may include sustaining their own health and energy.
One of those elements is heroes and legends; those events and people that a community holds up as exemplary. By holding up our local peace workers as s/heroes, we are literally building that culture.
The paradox is that peace workers, by their nature, tend to avoid the spotlight and are commonly uncomfortable taking individual credit for their work. While this cooperative attitude is ALSO very much part of the foundation of Peace, we have made the appeal many times that our honorees stretch themselves just a little to allow us to build community around them, to let us celebrate them and their noble efforts and organizations.
The award medal was designed in 2007 by Ojai Peace Coalition founder evan austin, and incorporates the classic peace symbol with the image of a flaming torch to symbolize the noble and impassioned actions of its recipients.
The founding cornerstone action of the Ojai Peace Coalition was their peace-themed entry into Ojai's Independence Day parade in 2005. After the establishment of the Noble Peace Prize, it was our custom to feature each honoree in the following year's parade entry. This practice was observed from 2008 to 2010, after which time parade interest/participation waned, and the OPC has not participated in the Independence Day parade since that time.
Beginning in 2010, upon the generous donations of Ojai Peace Coalition members, awarding of the Noble Peace Prize now also includes a cash gift to the recipient. This is given with no conditions or earmarks, in good faith that it will be used for the honoree's continued noble efforts, which may include sustaining their own health and energy.
2017 NPP Awarded In Libbey Park!
The 2017 Noble Peace Prize was awarded to Marta Nelson of Ojai Studio Artists and Ojai Artists for Peace. Marta's efforts have been integral to the arts culture for which Ojai is known, and she has long been a strong advocate for peace through her own artwork and by encouraging others. Learn more...
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Learn About Past Recipients
Click here to see all of the past recipients of the Noble Peace Prize and see what great work they were nominated for and continue to do!
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