By Sunday Elijah
When international institutions choose to honor a human rights defender with an award bearing the name of Nelson Mandela, the recognition extends beyond the individual. It speaks to the values, causes and communities that person represents.
That is why the recent announcement that Moroccan journalist and human rights advocate Zakaria El Hamel will receive the International Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award in Italy has attracted attention far beyond Morocco’s borders.
For many observers, the distinction is not only a personal achievement for El Hamel but also an acknowledgment of the growing influence of African civil society actors who are advancing peace, dialogue and human rights through grassroots initiatives.
The award, presented by the Scientific Committee of the Peace, Freedom and Human Rights International Award, recognizes El Hamel’s work as founder and president of Youth for Peace and Dialogue Between Cultures, an organization dedicated to promoting tolerance, intercultural understanding and human rights education among young people.
In a world increasingly marked by polarization, conflict and social fragmentation, advocates such as El Hamel have sought to create spaces where dialogue replaces division. Through educational campaigns and community outreach programmes, his organization has worked to familiarize young people with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and encourage active citizenship.
The significance of the award lies partly in its association with Nelson Mandela, the South African statesman whose life became synonymous with the struggle for justice, equality and reconciliation. Mandela’s legacy continues to inspire human rights defenders across Africa and around the world, making awards that carry his name particularly meaningful within civil society circles.
For African journalists, El Hamel’s recognition carries an additional dimension. Across the continent, journalists frequently serve not only as chroniclers of social change but also as advocates for public awareness, civic engagement and accountability. His dual role as a journalist and human rights defender reflects a tradition of media professionals who use their platforms to amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.
The award also shines a spotlight on Morocco’s increasingly active civil society landscape. Organizations focused on youth empowerment, intercultural dialogue and peacebuilding have become important actors in addressing social challenges and fostering cross-cultural understanding both within the country and internationally.
Scheduled to be presented in September at the historic Norman-Swabian Castle of Sannicandro di Bari in Italy, the award ceremony will bring together academics, cultural leaders and civil society representatives from different parts of the world. Yet the broader significance of the recognition may already be evident.
At a time when international headlines are often dominated by conflict and division, the acknowledgment of a grassroots activist from Oujda serves as a reminder that meaningful change is frequently driven by local initiatives and community-based leadership.
Whether through journalism, civic education or human rights advocacy, Zakaria El Hamel’s journey demonstrates how local action can resonate globally — and how the ideals championed by Nelson Mandela continue to inspire a new generation of peacebuilders across Africa and beyond.
