The Wear My Shoes Awards are more than just a recognition of outstanding achievements; they are a catalyst for change as part of an annual global thematic campaign. Each year, the awards grant US $5,000 to intergenerational child-led grassroots initiatives that advance children’s rights within their communities. By inspiring action and fostering significant transformations at the grassroots level, the awards help protect children from the harmful impacts of the current polycrisis.
Now in its fourth year, the awards are helping to build a community of champions and change-makers dedicated to the well-being of children, working hand in hand with the children themselves. Since its establishment in 2021, the Wear My Shoes Awards have raised interest from organizations in 58 countries and recognized 15 initiatives from 14 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Guided by the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Wear My Shoes Awards are aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. This alignment underscores the awards’ relevance and the comprehensive progress they aim to achieve in promoting, protecting, and upholding children’s rights.
This campaign is part of the annual World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, co-led by Arigatou International Prayer and Action and UNICEF, sponsored by The Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, and with the support and collaboration of a wide range of global partners who are members of the World Day Planning Committee (see page 6 on the 2023 report).
Description
In its fourth edition, the Wear My Shoes Awards 2024 will honor exceptional grassroots projects led by children or co-led with adults that promote peace. Projects can focus on reconciliation and dialogue, peace education and empowerment, or activism and advocacy. Applications are welcome from projects involving people of diverse religions, gender, and cultures.
The Wear My Shoes Awards will be officially presented on November 20, 2024 during our World Day of Prayer and Action commemoration in Abu Dhabi at the 6th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children.
Awardees will be selected for outstanding intergenerational and child-led practices or projects implemented at the grassroots level. Each awardee will receive USD 5,000.
References:
UN Resolution 2686 (2023) on promoting peace and tolerance.
UNICEF. Prospects for Children 2024: Cooperation in a Fragmented World.
See: Galtung, J. (1976). Three Approaches to Peace: Peacekeeping, Peacemaking, and Peacebuilding. In Peace, War and Defense: Essays in Peace Research II (pp. 292-304). Copenhagen: Christian Elders.
Abdul Aziz Said and Nathan C. Funk, “The Role of Faith in Cross-Cultural Conflict Resolution” (paper presented at the European Parliament for the European Centre for Common Ground, Brussels, Belgium, September 2001).
Susan Allen Nan and Danielle Brand-LeMond (2008), “Spirituality and Peacebuilding“. See also Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Conflict Resolution, Culture, and Religion: Toward a Training Model of Inter-religious Peacebuilding, Journal of Peace Research 38, no. 6 (2001): 685-704.
Criteria for entry:
1. Organizations that received the Wear My Shoes Award in the past three years, will not be eligible to apply again for three years or until five years have passed.
2. The organization must be legally registered in the country of operation or affiliated with another legally registered organization (required).
3. The organization must provide one letter of recommendation from a reputable, well-established organization (required).
4. Entries must be action(s) or projects focused on peacebuilding implemented or completed during the years 2023-2024 and supported by local faith-based or faith-inspired organizations/networks and/or religious communities (required).
5. The practice or project must support and promote children’s rights and well-being through peacebuilding activities focused on at least one of the following:
(i) Reconciliation and Dialogue
(ii) Peace Education and Empowerment, or
(iii) Mobilization, Campaigning and Advocacy
6. The practice or project must be led and implemented by adults and children OR by children – understanding children as individuals below 18 years old.
7. Submissions must include supporting documents such as reports, videos, photographs, data, assessments and/or evaluations, information materials, and tools about the results on children, families, schools, and/or communities. Note that video and/or photographic materials are required.
8. Effective and ethical participation of children – the practice or project ensures that children’s participation is aligned with safeguarding principles and standards highlighted in the Arigatou International Child Safeguarding Policy: https://arigatouinternational.org/all-with-children/safeguarding/safeguarding- policy/
9. The practice or project should be promising and aim to strengthen participation opportunities for children at the scope, quality, and outcomes level.
10. The practices or projects should be implemented with cultural and religious sensitivity. If the local context is not diverse, interfaith or interdenominational implementers and beneficiaries may be included.
Criteria notes:
Grassroots initiatives promoting peace building are community-driven efforts aimed at fostering harmony, resolving conflicts, and establishing sustainable peace within local contexts. These initiatives should originate from the community level, reflecting the needs, aspirations, and active participation of local members. Child-led initiatives should specifically involve children up to the age of 18, as defined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as central agents in planning, decision-making, and implementation, focusing on creating a safer, more equitable, and prosperous future for children. Criteria to consider include:
1. Child Leadership and Participation
– Initiatives must be led and actively managed or co-managed by children.
– Demonstrable roles and responsibilities held by children in project implementation and decision-making processes.
2. Peace-Building Focus
– Efforts should contribute to conflict resolution, reconciliation, or the proactive promotion of peace and non-violence.
– Projects should reflect tangible outcomes or plans for improving peace within their communities.
3. Community-Driven
– The initiative must originate from the community level with local needs and contexts in mind.
– Active participation from community members, and faith communities ensuring inclusivity and representation of diverse groups.
4. Educational Components
– Inclusion of educational elements that raise awareness about peace, rights, and non-violence among children.
– Programs fostering knowledge, awareness and respectful attitudes necessary for peaceful coexistence.
5. Eligibility timeframe
– Initiatives must have begun or been completed between 2023-2024.
Media Consent Form:
Signed informed media consent is required from parents/guardians and children: Communicate with children and their parents/legal guardians to obtain a signed informed consent for their participation and use of the children’s images and/or names in your application. We enclose a release form with the application for parents and children to sign and give permission to use the children’s images in photos and videos, as well as other materials made by the children.
Please download here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GhZ5DIiIC0WTYrMlEdl_PCWvnA1hc2OMzvZ32rVBywg/edit?usp=sharing)
Any questions?
Please contact Alibe Hamacher, Partnership and Development Officer
Email: a.hamacher@arigatouinternational.org