Worth $2 million to invest in vital programme work, the prize is the largest of its kind in the world.
Trócaire was nominated for the prize by the inspirational Sr Geraldine Henry, a Daughter of Charity with extensive experience of mission in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.
Supporting the nomination, Trócaire received glowing endorsements from partner organisations from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Guatemala.
The Reverend Fr Dr Henry Saindi, Secretary General of Episcopal Conference of Malawi stressed the importance of Trócaire’s work with CADECOM, the Development Agency of the Conference.
He said of Trócaire, “Its demonstration of long-term and meaningful partnership with local agencies makes it a model for true partnership… We believe Trócaire in Malawi serves as a model for other non-profits here and internationally”.
Trócaire was instrumental is setting up CADECOM in 1999, and continues to support it to build its capacity.Together the organisations have delivered humanitarian relief in Malawi to many thousands of beneficiaries.
Roselyn Hanzi, Acting Executive Director at Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)praised Trócaire for its long-term support of the organisation’s work in the area of HIV/AIDS and the law, and in funding access to justice and protection of human rights defenders, offering her ‘unequivocal’ support for the prize nomination.
She also described Trócaire as a “model for other non-profits” adding that “It comes in as an equal partner and not as a donor willing to listen to the views of local partners and incorporate their suggestions into its strategy. Trócaire does not impose projects on partners, it actually creates platforms for engagement of partners from different sectors.”
Juan Francisco Soto, Director at the CALDH in Guatemala (Centre for Legal Action on Human Rights) wrote: “CALDH truly values the unconditional support that Trócaire has provided us for more than 13 years in the search for truth, justice and the historical memory for the survivors of the Internal Armed Conflict in Guatemala; and for strengthening the justice system to guarantee the non-repetition of egregious human rights abuses.”
The prize is awarded by the Conrad N Hilton Foundation. Launched in 1996, as a tribute to the humanitarian efforts of the renowned businessman and hotelier, the prize is awarded to non-profit organisations judged to have made extraordinary contributions to the alleviation of human suffering.
The outcome of this year’s nomination process is expected to be announced in late 2017.
The 2016 winner of the prize was The Task Force for Global Health, a US-based organisation that uses collaboration to address large-scale health problems that affect populations in 151 countries.
For more on the work of Trócaire see www.trocaire.org