The Corrymeela Community in Northern Ireland has been awarded the 1997 Niwano Peace Prize, worth more than £100,000, which is given every year to organisation and individuals who have contributed significantly to inter-religious co-operation. The presentation ceremony will be in Tokyo on May 8th.
The prize-winner is chosen from nominations from about 1,000 people in 125 countries by a committee including representatives of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The Niwano Peace Foundation said Corrymeela had been chosen because its primary goal since its foundation 31 years ago was to do away with fear, prejudice and ignorance in Northern Ireland.