International 2007

This award will recognise campaigners based outside of the UK in the global South, working to achieve social or environmental justice in their home countries. This award will target campaigners living in the lowest 52 countries in the world as defined by the United Nations Human Development Index.

Sponsored by Concern Worldwide

Winner

Irene Banda

Organisational Development Management Community Trust, Zambia

Irene has led one of the largest grassroots campaigns for social justice in Southern Africa. She is Director of the Organisational Development Management Community Trust, which is campaigning to ensure that people in Zambian communities are included in decisions that affect their lives. In 2003, Irene got involved in Oxfam?s ?Big Noise? campaign. She recruited a team of volunteers across the country to explain to people how international trading rules impacted on Zambian communities. Her work was instrumental in mobilising 1.4 million signatures for the campaign from a population of 14 million Zambians.

Finalists

Sipihwe Hlophe

Swaziland Positive Living (SWAPOL), Swaziland

Siphiwe is director of SWAPOL, campaigning for the rights of people living with AIDS in Swaziland. SWAPOL advocates in support of access to care and support for people in Swaziland living with HIV and AIDS. By highlighting the fact that treatment is not properly accessible to the seventy percent of the population who live in rural areas, Siphiwe is challenging the Swazi Government direct.
www.swapol.net

Gladys Mabaso

Centre for Environment, Preventive Healthcare and Counselling, Zimbabwe

Gladys works at the Centre for Environment, Preventive Healthcare and Counselling. Gladys focuses on promoting conflict resolution and championing womens role in the peace building process. Gladys recognised that women were largely the victims of domestic and community conflicts in the provinces where she works, yet they were not included in the peace building processes. Through her work, women peacemaker groups have been established in three districts of Zimbabwe?s Midlands province.

Alvin Mosioma

Africa Tax Justice Network, Kenya

Alvin co-ordinates the Tax Justice Network in Africa. The Network?s objective is to tackle tax avoidance and competition affecting countries in the South in order to mobilise greater resources to fight poverty rather than be dependant on aid. The Tax Justice Network is dedicated to providing a platform for campaigners, researchers, activists and journalists to debate and undertake advocacy work on tax practices that are detrimental to the economic development of African countries.
www.taxjustice4africa.net