News - Allard Prize

Journalists, activists and advocacy group named finalists for Allard Prize for International Integrity

The Peter A. Allard School of Law, at UBC, announced today the four finalists for the 2015 Allard Prize for International Integrity. Created and funded by alumnus Peter A. Allard, Q.C., the $100,000 prize is one of the largest awards in the world recognizing efforts to combat corruption and promote human rights. It was first awarded in 2013. “At great personal risk and sacrifice, and with courage and leadership, the four finalists for the 2015 Allard Prize have been compelling in their fight for transparency, accountability, the Rule of Law, and against corruption,” says Peter Allard. “We want to honour these heroes and tell their stories, in the hope that doing so will inspire change — not just in our systems, but in each of us personally.” The 2015 Allard Prize finalists are: John Githongo – Former journalist and government-employed corruption fighter from Kenya, Githongo risked his life and career to expose one of the biggest government corruption scandals in the country’s history, and subsequently has led grassroots advocacy efforts aimed at creating and mobilizing an informed citizenry against corruption and injustice. Indonesia Corruption Watch – This research and evidence-based advocacy group is Indonesia’s leading organization focused on fighting corruption. It has been successful in bringing numerous cases of political and judicial corruption to the forefront. Sergei Magnitsky – After uncovering a large-scale government tax fraud in Russia, Magnitsky, a lawyer, was arrested and held in custody for 11 months without trial. His subsequent in-prison death brought international attention to human rights violations and corruption in his home country. Rafael Marques de Morais – This Angola-based human rights activist and journalist has dedicated his career to raising public awareness of government corruption, conflict diamonds, army brutality and corruption in the oil industry. The winner of the Allard Prize will be announced on October 1, 2015 as part of UBC’s Centennial, a year-long celebration of 100 years of research innovation, learning and community engagement. “The Allard Prize holds a very special place in the heart of the Allard School of Law,” says Dean Catherine Dauvergne. “It recognizes the law school’s longstanding commitment to human rights, and its commitment to making real change happen in the world. We are grateful for the generosity of Peter Allard that makes this award possible.” BACKGROUNDER The Allard Prize for International Integrity Established in October 2012 and funded by alumnus Peter A. Allard, Q.C., the Allard Prize for International Integrity is awarded to an individual, movement or organization that has shown exceptional courage and leadership in combating corruption, especially through promoting transparency, accountability and the Rule of Law. After a comprehensive nomination and selection process, four finalists were selected from 146 nominations from 53 countries around the world. The Allard Prize, which is administered by the Peter A. Allard School of Law, is steered by the Allard Prize Committee composed of representatives of both the Allard School of Law and the private sector, in consultation with the Allard Prize Advisory Board composed of members of the anti-corruption and human rights communities worldwide. Learn more: www.allardprize.org. The Allard Prize Committee Allard Prize Foundation: Robert W. King, Principal, Westbridge Capital Group Geoff Lyster, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Richard Olson, Lawyer, McKechnie & Company Peter A. Allard School of Law: Natasha Affolder, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia Joel Bakan, Professor, University of British Columbia James Stewart, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia The Allard Prize Advisory Board Dr. Marianne I. Camerer, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. Programme Director, Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice University of Cape Town Cape Town, South Africa Dr. Mark S. Ellis, B.S., J.D., Ph.D. Executive Director International Bar Association London, England Mr. James M. Klotz, LL.B. Partner Miller Thomson LLP Toronto, Canada Professor Susan Rose-Ackerman, B.A., Ph.D. Henry R. Luce Professor of Jurisprudence Law and Political Science Yale University New Haven, CT, United States of America Justice Ellen G. Northfleet Partner Ellen Gracie Advogados Associados Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Clare Wee, Esq. Head, Office of Anticorruption and Integrity Asian Development Bank Manila, Philippines Stephen Zimmermann, Esq. Director of Operations, Integrity Vice Presidency The World Bank Washington, DC, United States of America Allard Prize Photography Competition The Allard Prize Committee also oversees the semi-annual Allard Prize Photography Competition, which recognizes photographic excellence reflecting the ideals of the Allard Prize. Each winning entrant receives a $1,000 cash prize and will be featured on the Allard Prize website for six months. Up to six photographs will be selected every six months. Learn more> Peter A. Allard, Q.C. The Allard Prize for International Integrity was created by Peter A. Allard, Q.C., as part of his 2011 gift of $11.86 million to the law school. This gift also supported the creation of the Faculty’s new home, Allard Hall. On January 22, 2015, UBC announced a transformational $30‑million gift from Mr. Allard. Mr. Allard’s gift is the largest ever to a Canadian law school. In recognition of this gift, which will enable the faculty to build on its reputation for championing human rights, the university named the law school the Peter A. Allard School of Law. Throughout his career as a lawyer and businessman, Mr. Allard has assumed leadership roles in human rights, environmental advocacy and other philanthropic work. Mr. Allard graduated from UBC with a B.A. in History in 1968, and a LL.B. in 1971. After graduation, Mr. Allard practiced law and participated in various business enterprises. In 1993, he established the Highbury Foundation, which has assisted medical communities in B.C. and Alberta with support for research and the purchase of medical equipment. The Highbury Foundation has also made significant donations to colleges and universities across Western Canada for scholarships and building needs. Peter A. Allard School of Law The Peter A. Allard School of Law is committed to being one of the world’s great centres for legal education and research. As part of an outstanding public university situated in one of the most open, diverse and beautiful places in the world, the Allard School of Law offers an inspiring environment that combines rigorous professional legal training with