Michael Kim Riegelman is elected as Moroccan of the Month for his outstanding services for the Moroccan community. Wafin would like to thank people who show respect and affection for Moroccan people and Moroccan culture, and build paths and bridges to communicate their knowledge to others.

As the Modir of the NYC Arabic Language & Culture Club, Michael Kim Riegelman has been fulfilling the third goal of the Peace Corps’ mission ever since returning home to NYC from Morocco in April, 2003. ‘Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of all Americans’ – at a time when so many Americans have misconceptions and negative stereotypes of Muslims and ‘Arabs’, this third goal has never been more important.

Michael lived and worked in Morocco as an Environmental Educator with the US Peace Corps from 2002-2003. His stay was cut short due to the suspension of the program in April after the American invasion of Iraq. “The readjustment of coming home was far more difficult than I’d anticipated”, Michael said. It wasn’t just the fact that everyone around me was speaking English again, but the clear prevalence of anti-Arab sentiment which I saw and felt.

Wanting to stay in touch with the Arab community, Michael found a position working with the Arab-American Family Support Center in Brooklyn as an ESL teacher. He taught English while continuing to study Arabic for the summer, before accepting a position at the United Nations Secretariat. While working as a conference management assistant during the 58th General Assembly, Michael had the opportunity to meet with President Bush and the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI:

‘It’s a long story, and pretty funny, but the brunt of it was that I had the chance to meet President Bush after he gave his speech to the GA.’ I asked him if he’d introduce me to the King of Morocco. He asked me why. I said I’d recently served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco. He then grabbed my shoulder and walked me over to Mohammed VI and his entourage, introducing me as ‘one of America’s finest – he served as a PCV in your country.’ I then proceeded to speak with the King in Darija for about two minutes, sputtering out everything I could. I made him and his guards smile, as Bush stood shocked beside me, totally unexpecting me to speak Arabic and not knowing what I was saying. Afterwards, Bush complimented me on my ‘exceptional language skills’ and asked what I’d said. I told him it wasn’t important, just greetings and salutations, and then returned to the back room to work. This little adventure even got press in the NY Times Sept 29th, 2003

It was during this time that Michael became involved with the NYC Arabic Language & Culture Club. With less than 70 inactive members, he took over the club and in the scope of a short year brought its membership to nearly 700 international members. The club’s mission is to promote the diverse cultures of the Middle East and North Africa through educational and social activities. Part of MeetUp.com, the club gathers regularly to attend concerts, plays, lectures, art exhibitions, movies – you name it – but everything has an ‘Arab twist’ to it. Michael provides free monthly ‘Learn the Arabic Alphabet Workshops’, as well as hosts club Dinner Parties at his small studio apartment in Hell’s Kitchen, Madhattan.

Although not Moroccan, Michael’s love for Morocco truly shows in the generous volunteer work he gives to the club. Recently having completed the Cambridge University CELTA Certificate (TESOL), Michael chose to leave the UN to pursue his interest in teaching, and is currently looking for a job in the United Arab Emirates. He holds a BS in Outdoor Adventure Education from Northland College (1999)– perhaps the leading Environmental Liberal Arts college in the country. He’s also taught English at the American Language Center (ALC) in Marrakesh as well as studied Arabic at the Arabic Language Institute (ALIF) in Fez. Michael also supports the High Atlas Foundation, and is a current member of NAAP-NYs Community Outreach Committee.

Al Santoli is my nomination for OneWorld's Person of 2006. His success, through his dedication in the efforts for peace and the development of the Asia America Initiative, has inspired many people who once thought it was not possible to create peaceful solutions and economic development in an area known for its poverty, violence and almost non-existant healthcare. Created a future for these people who once felt abandoned by the rest of the world. I applaud Al Santoli and feel hopeful for our own future due to his success against many odds!

Name: Albert Santoli
Country: USA
Organization: Asia America Initiative

Issue of Focus: Peace Mediation through building Hope by social and economic development and building common human bonds between peoples of different cultures and religious beliefs.

Why should this person be nominated? Albert Santoli is a true innovator in building peace in highly impoversihed and violent place in the world through grassroots social and economic development. The organization's basic that leads to Hope. The Asia America Initiativ's Development for Peace in Sulu program in the Muslim Mindanao area of the Phillippines combines health, education and livelihood development programs to stabilize violence torn communities. The program has received numerous rewards in the Phillippines including a Presidential Citation, because for four years and at great personal sacrifice the Asia America Initiativ's Muslim, Christian and Buddhist staff has helped to build and hold peace in an area where no one thought progress was possible.

In partnership with community leaders, Mr. Santoli and his dedicated local staff have inspired the rebuilding of the local healcare system, created Model of Excellence public schools that now have some 25,000 students attending with a retention and graduation rate of over 90 percent in a regional where the graduation rate is around 36 percent. this has dramatically swayed into becoming violent and destructive. In addition, livelihood programs include women's cooperatives, chicken farming, fish processing an an e-marketing center is being created to bring more substantial revenues into the community for investment and other forms of economic development.

The development for Peace program is one of the few ture sucesses in the International struggle to deter terrorism..In early 2005, Mr. Santoli helped stop a war from breaking out in Sulu by going up to the mountain headquarters of the province guerillas. Mr Santoli has put his own life on the line to prove that there is a common human bond that can unite people of different backgrounds, languages and religions when they work together to address basic human needs. The program is now preparing to expand to Southern Thailand and areas of Afghanistan.

When I think of all the self-less people in the world, Al Santoli is at the top of my list. Al Santoli single handedly started the Asia America Initiative with only a prayer and a few personal pennies. Al’s mission was to deliver hope, peace and sustenance to an area that was war-torn and physically and emotionally battered by the corruption of its enemies. Al faced an uphill battle. He was virtually penniless; he put his career, family and life on hold to take on a mission that, to most, would have seemed hopeless. Al had support from his friends and loved ones and perhaps this along with his personal drive is what motivates him to continue his mission.

He has delivered over $3 million technology, healthcare, and educational supplies personally to the Sulu Province of the Muslim Mindanao region of the Philippines. He has undertaken life threatening situations that most would not have the courage to endure. His story of nearly escaping a planted bomb that was meant for him and his entourage in a recent trip to the area reverberates in my mind when he discusses his desire to embark on yet another mission to one of many perilous areas. Many Filipinos will not visit the Sulu Province of the Mindanao region of the country, yet Al believes whole heartedly that if he gives up on the children of this region then he has failed not only himself but the lives of hundreds of youth who have placed their future in his hands.

In addition to delivering goods to the region, he has sponsored the integration of public education with grassroots economic infrastructure building. His successes in this area include:

- A home-grown fisheries processing and canning business at the Jolo Fisheries High School
- A poultry farm at the agricultural high school
- An adult women's literacy and livelihood program
- A handicrafts co-op for students at Mindanao State University is being developed
- Plans to expand the National Fisheries technology development center in Dagupan

He has faced a great deal of adversity while embarking on his mission. In his personal life, Al has battled cancer during his fight for the children of these economically underdeveloped regions. He has overcome personal healthcare issues, healthcare issues of his family and financial distress that would force many to give up. Not Al, he keeps the children and families of these Asian regions at the forefront of his priorities. Supporters have come and gone in Al’s organization but Al’s mission remains consistent. The Asia America Initiative (AAI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting democratic ideals, strengthening international security and mediating in conflict-plagued areas throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Through combining model humanitarian programs with traditional policy forums and pro-active strategic reports, AAI takes a unique approach in finding solutions to seemingly intractable challenges.

Al Santoli is a man of his word, he is a man of courage and he is a man of great depth and understanding to a world that may not be so kind in return. He continues to believe that peace will breed peace and spreads the message with his never ending generosity and kindness that has given entire nations hope when despair was all they knew. Al Santoli is the Person of the Year every year.

Name: Evo Morales
Country: President of Bolivia
Why should this person be nominated?
He stood up to multinational corporations that controled natural gas reserves in Bolivia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evo_Morales
"As of May 1, 2006, president Evo Morales signed a decree stating that all natural gas reserves were to be nationalized: "the state recovers ownership, possession and total and absolute control" of hydrocarbons (Bolivia has the second largest resources of natural gas in South America - 1.38 trillion cubic meters-, after Venezuela). He thus put to some effect his electoral promises made during the various Gas Wars, declaring that "We are not a government of mere promises: we follow through on what we propose and what the people demand".

Eve Ensler, founder of V-Day, and one world crusader to end violence against women. Go to www.vday.org to read about her amazing work.

EVO MORALES is the most remarkable achiever this year. So many things are a first with him, and they are well known, particularly the fact that he is an Aymara, and the first Amerindian President in the Americas. Of all the qualities we can underline - courage, vision, wisdom, organizational and political experience as a man coming from the leadership of Bolivia's syndicates - still the most outstanding trait is a firm vocation for peace and solidarity. I have been impressed by the way he treats Presidents and dignataries with the same human warmth and sympathy that he shows for the humblest person he extends a hand to. This seems to me a sign of true greatness, of a spiritual quality that is exceptional indeed. He confronts much hate and opposition for the same reason other great men did: for wanting to give to the landless workers the lands that waste away in the absurdly large estates of the wealthy. Remember when President Kennedy proposed the same thing in the Alliance for Progress? Then the landed gentry shouted Yankee go home! And then their allies killed him, for the same reasons: land and oil. Only now it is not a Yankee, but an Aymara, and he has a continent - of originary peoples, workers, students, scholars, and peace-loving people - standing beside him. He can say like his ancestor Tupac Katari: You can only kill me, but tomorrow I will be back and I will be millions!

Mi nominación es para Hugo Chávez y Evo Morales conjuntamente por su gran liderazgo.
A Chávez, por impulsar la Iniciativa del ALBA, que llama a la integracion de Latino América.
Por su apoyo a Telesurtv.net y por levantar de la pobreza a muchos Venezolanos que antes no tenían voz. Por su trabajo de influencia en el Hemisferio.
A Evo Morales por pararse frente a las fuerzas neo liberales que dominaron Bolivia y dejaron a muchos habitantes Indígenas fuera de juego por muchas décadas y sin representación.
Por la nacionalización de los hidrocarburos y por sus ideas solidarias con el resto de sus países vecinos. Arriba...!

My nomination is for two great leaders jointly. Hugo Chavez for his impulse of the ALBA Initiative, which calls for integration of Latin America, for his efforts and support of Telesurtv.net and for doing his best to lift people out of poverty in Venezuela and South America.
Evo Morales for his courage to stand before the forces which for many decades displaced and oppressed indigenous people in Bolivia.
We have our work cut out for us. It will not be easy...

Al Santoli on behalf of the Asia America Initiative, for recognition of his tireless efforts in combating the worst form of violence (affecting the youngest members of the community) through education and poverty reduction. The Development for Peace in Sulu program in the Southern Philippines has been tried, tested, and is triumphant. Recognized by the Philippine Government and more importantly, the Sulu community young and old, the successes of the model program needs to be aggressively touted and implemented elsewhere. Read more about Al Santoli's raison d’etre by going to the Asia America Initiative website: www.asiaamerica.org

Name: Sachin Kumar Jain
Country: India
Organization (optional): Vikas Samvad and Right to Food Campaign
Issue(s) of Focus: Child Malnutrition, Maternal Mortality and poverty
Why should this person be nominated?: Sachin Kumar Jain is a freelance journalist and writes on issues relating to the poor and marginalized communities in the mainstream media. He has relentlessly pursued his stories and raised public consciousness . His writings on poverty is not just a catalogue reduced to a faceless statistics but portrays the world of the poor and their suffering . His genre of writings which has a literary quality have earned him recognition in the field of journalism. At the same time he does not allow his literary sensibility to disract him into various other issues and lose sight of the larger questions.
Equipped with double Masters in Rural Development and in Journalism Sachin started his career in the mainstream media for two years .However mainstream journalism did not provide enough scope to raise in-depth issues of poverty, discrimination and violation of rights and keep the debate alive.
In 2001 a programme for stringers and young grassroots workers was initiated to develop writing skills and issue based understanding. The subsequent years were devoted to providing a new shape of development media advocacy .and an impetus to initiate a development media programme called Vikas Samvad . Located in Bhopal, Vikas Samvad is a development media advocacy initiative for a just and equitable society based on media fellowships, training and publications on food security , women’s health , poverty , governance and social harmony etc.
It is worth mentioning that his efforts as an activist journalist has made malnutrition and maternal mortality a big issue in the state. Now it is a issue of intervention and action not only for government but for Civil Society as well. He is not a english journalist but he has intervened in the social action with the help of vernacular media. Due to his efforts print media of madhya pradesh has covered more than 2500 news/feature items, but previously it was almost neglegible.
Now he is trying to establish a group of socially committed journalists with a condition that it will be an group owned by them not by any organisation.
We find he has taken up an very critical and sensitive step, which is a difficult job as well.
In a view he should be identified.
He may be contacted at sachinwrites@gmail.com & rtfmp@rediffmail.com.

Al Santoli is highly nominated because of his accomplishments in promoting peace through education in the Province of Sulu, republic of the Philippines. Not considering his safety, he had bravely immersed himself working with the muslims of southern Philippines, particularly the Province of Sulu. Through his initiatives, he was able to provide livelihood skills and monetary capital to about 100 families in the Town of Jolo, Sulu. Looking at the very poor condition of schools in the Province, he was able to support ten (10) elementary schools, four (4) high schools, all public schools and two (2) colleges. He had sent support by sending computers, seating facilities, textbooks and other reference books, constructed one (1) two-room school building. But the most important and most significant of his accomplishments is his scholarship program supporting thirty-six (36) indigent Tausug scholars studying at the Notre Dame of Jolo College, Mindanao State University, Sulu State College, Jolo National High School and Sulu High School. These students were selected on the basis of their performances in school. In the year 2005, his organization changed its name to Asia Amercia Initiative (AAI).

We kept asking the Grace of Allah to give him longer life so that he may be able to continue what he had done in our Province, which no private individual have done in the past. He is one person who should be lauded for his great deeds to help people in third world countries, especially those affected by armed conflicts, notwithstanding his own safety. He even coordinated with Commander Khaid Ajibun, one of the field commanders of the MNLF just to get him to understand the importance of peace and development, through education. Indeed, Al Santoli, an american at that, who had committed himself for the development of our people, the Muslims of Southern Mindanao, particularly, the Province of Sulu, is worthy of emulation and deserves to be honored.


Hji. Eufremio N. Canaria
Education Supervisor I
DepEd, ARMM
Division of Sulu I

Name: Coptic Orphans
Country: Egypt
Organization (optional): Coptic Orphans (www.copticorphans.org)
Issue(s) of Focus: Children's empowerment

I nominate Coptic Orphans as a trailblazer in Egypt for the rights of vulnerable children. Through various programs that reach the poorest and most vulnerable populations of children in Egypt, Coptic Orphans works to transform a generation that will have the courage to change the next one.

In 2006, Coptic Orphans reached over 12,000 children through its innovative programs. One innovative program is the Valuable Girl Project, which empowers girls and young women in high poverty areas through a mentoring program that creates and provides role models for girls. This program has prevented hundreds of girls from dropping out of school and empowers them to be leaders in their communities.

This year, Coptic Orphans will be raising awareness about a much neglected topic - child abuse. It will carry out a campaign to raise awareness about how rampant this problem is in Egypt on many levels and to take action towards ensuring justice, safety and protection of children.

I nominate, Igballe Rogova, Executive Directress of Kosova Women's Network - KWN.

She is a leading figure of the women’s movement in Kosova and an internationally renowned women’s rights advocate.

On 8 March, this year the organization she heads among a large number of other activities organized a demonstration, "We Want Power, No More Flowers," in front of the national theatre in Prishtina. The campaign focused on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and the importance of involving women in talks concerning Kosova's final status.

Throughout the year, in various manners she has stressed that implementing resolution 1325 is essential for inclusive democratic processes and that failing to include women would jeopardize future stability in Kosova.

Most recently, she initiated a joint organization with the Women in Black Serbia called the “Women’s Peace Coalition” to better represent the needs of all women in status talks for Kosovo.

Igballe won the Women of the Year Award by the International Network of Women’s Organizations, based in San Francisco, and Lydia Sklevicky Prize for innovative work with women’s groups awarded by Mamacash, The Netherlands/Open society Foundation, Croatia/Global Fund for Women, USA.

The Kosova Women’s Network (KWN) established in 2000 was originally an informal network of women’s groups and organizations from various regions in Kosova. Since its inception, KWN has developed into a network that advocates on behalf of Kosovar women at the local, regional, and international level. Representing the interests of 85 women’s organizations of all ethnic groups from throughout Kosova, KWN is a leader among civil society organizations in Kosova and throughout the region.

The person of the year should go to: "Skype Founders", their invention is helping connect people from all around the world.

Skype is the start for "Demise of Telecom".. In less than 10 years from now, the cost of international communication will be negligible compared to today! In the technologically developed world it will be as cheap as a basic utility like electricity and water.

Shashank

Names: Architect William McDonough and Chemist Dr. Michael Braungart

They are "two leaders in a growing movement to transform the relationship between commerce and nature."

McDonough and Braungart work with corporations with over half a trillion dollars in annual sales, companies like Ford and Nike, to redesign buildings, processes, and products to work according to nature's rules.

"When we follow nature's rules, growth is good," says Bill McDonough. "The question before us is not growth versus no growth, It is: what would good growth look like? And this is a question of intent, of design. What if we grow health instead of sickness, home ownership instead of indigence, education instead of ignorance?"
_________________________

“...he envisions a technically advanced world of zero waste, where nothing ever hits the trash bin and all materials, under a kind of karmic destiny, can be recovered to lead productive lives over and over again.... [His] contribution is that he is starting to develop the necessary technologies that might make it all work.”
_________________________

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things

William McDonough's new book, written with his colleague, the German chemist Michael Braungart, is a manifesto calling for the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design. Through historical sketches on the roots of the industrial revolution; commentary on science, nature and society; descriptions of key design principles; and compelling examples of innovative products and business strategies already reshaping the marketplace, McDonough and Braungart make the case that an industrial system that "takes, makes and wastes" can become a creator of goods and services that generate ecological, social and economic value.

In addition to describing the hopeful, nature-inspired design principles that are making industry both prosperous and sustainable, the book itself is a physical symbol of the changes to come. It is printed on a synthetic 'paper,' made from plastic resins and inorganic fillers, designed to look and feel like top quality paper while also being waterproof and rugged. And the book can be easily recycled in localities with systems to collect polypropylene, like that in yogurt containers. This 'treeless' book points the way toward the day when synthetic books, like many other products, can be used, recycled, and used again without losing any material quality—in cradle-to-cradle cycles.

Tarun Tejpal & Tehelka.com, The Peoples Paper
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehelka
http://www.tehelka.com/

Launched as am online newspaper in 2000,Tehelka.com began as an on line news-views portal, unaligned of any of India's established media groups. Since then, it has become the sub continent's popular independent weekly newspaper[citation needed]. Published by Tarun Tejpal, Tehelka's 2001 sting Operation West End captured several members of the then ruling party BJP - Bangaru Laxman accepting bribes to approve defence contracts. George Fernandes resigned after the tapes were made public (See: Barak Missile Deal Scandal). In the aftermath of these exposes, Tehelka drew the ire of the government and was at the receiving end of a destructive un-constitutional assault eventually forcing its closure. After a widespread public appeal to loyal readers, Tehelka re-launched in 2004 as a weekly newspaper, committed to free, fair and fearless journalism. Tehelka's reputation for ground- breaking investigations, tenacious public interest journalism, exposes of corruption, fiery reportage and fine writing, has earned it a strong national following and widespread international acclaim. Tehelka’s in depth investigative stories on witness bribery in the Best Bakery Fire case, corruption over airline pilots’ qualifications and child sex scandals in resort areas are among the many that have contributed to changing the fundamental nature of Indian media.

Name: Rye Barcott & Carolina for Kibera
http://cfk.unc.edu/
Country: Kenya

Run by Kenyans and advised by American and Kenyan volunteers, CFK's primary mission is to promote youth leadership and ethnic and gender cooperation in Kibera through sports, young women's empowerment, and community development. Additionally, CFK works to improve basic healthcare, sanitation, and education in Kibera.

Renato Areiza & Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in Colombia
http://www.forcolombia.org/peacecommunity
Renato & his community are very brave and deserve recognition and our support.

Village's Unarmed Rebellion
On strategic land in Colombia's civil war, a group of peasants stands up against violence. But a refusal to take sides offers little protection. http://www.forcolombia.org/node/29

Name: Jonathan Tourtellot
Country: USA
Organization (optional): National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations
Issue(s) of Focus: Geotourism
Why should this person be nominated? Editor, writer, public speaker, self-taught geographer, and sometime photographer, Jonathan B. Tourtellot has served as a National Geographic Society senior editor since 1980 and became the Society's first Director of Sustainable Destinations in 2001. He is also the geotourism editor for National Geographic Traveler magazine. As 20-year NGS veteran, Jonathan has led the way to innovate for the tourism sector so in need of ideas that "first do no harm." Tourism represents a (or the) leading source of income for countries in much of the developing world, and the risks are huge. Jonathan coined the term "geotourism" not to add another niche for marketing purposes, but to provide an overarching term that would embrace eco-, sustainable, responsible, heritage, adventure, and every other sort of tourism you can imagine. The idea is that geotourism sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Geotourism aims to protect and enhance places by encouraging travel business to do their best to use the local workforce, services, and products and supplies. When the community understands the beneficial role of geotourism, it becomes an incentive for wise destination stewardship. His efforts include the spread to governments and allied organizations that can sign the Geotourism Charter. After thus committing to a geotourism strategy, signatories can then work with local communities to determine their geotourism goals.

I saw an interview with Joe Darby on 60 minutes. He had a lot of courage to expose Abu Ghraib. He is shunned by people in his own community, but we should recognize him for speaking out about the torture going on at Abu Ghraib.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/12/07/60minutes/main2238188.shtml

Monica Alemán Cunningham
Program Director, MADRE, An International Women’s Human Rights Organization
Coordinator, International Indigenous Women’s Forum

Monica Alemán, an Indigenous Miskito from Nicaragua, is a dynamic and visionary women’s and Indigenous Peoples’ human rights activist. While still only in her early 30s, during her short tenure as MADRE’s Program Director, Ms. Alemán has significantly expanded the breadth and depth of MADRE’s international programs and partnerships with community-based women’s groups worldwide. She currently conducts seminars on human rights, women’s human rights, and United Nations agencies, as well as leadership trainings for women and youth in countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico. As Coordinator of the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI/IIWF), Monica Alemán facilitates an international network of Indigenous women activists. She recently spearheaded a report, Mairin Iwanka Raya: Indigenous Women Stand against Violence, and has initiated inter-movement dialogues on issues such as sexual rights, feminism, and Indigenous Peoples’ collective rights.

Ms. Alemán represents MADRE and FIMI/IIWF in the international arena and coordinates MADRE’s work at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Commission on the Status of Women, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and the General Assembly regular sessions. Ms. Alemán played a key role in the Youth Caucus at the UN World Conference against Racism in South Africa in 2001 as a Coordinator of the International Youth Committee that organized the International Youth Summit in Durban. As FIMI/IIWF coordinator, she facilitated the participation of Indigenous women from around the world in the Beijing + 5 and Beijing +10 Review and Appraisal Process in New York in 2000 and 2005.

Ms. Alemán was recently selected by the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs as a 2005-2006 Carnegie Young Leader. She is also serving on the International Planning Committee of the Women Leaders Intercultural Forum.

Ms. Alemán recounts the inspiration for her human rights work best in her own words:

“The war in Nicaragua in the early 1980s was the impetus for my human rights involvement in human rights work at local and international levels. I was born in a small Indigenous community in Nicaragua on the Coco River, which forms the border between Nicaragua and Honduras. I come from an Indigenous nation called the Miskitos that, like all Indigenous nations, has its own language and cosmovision. In 1983, we were displaced from our homes and taken to foreign lands.

“I can still remember deep inside the color of the house where I once lived, the colors of the landscape, but I also remember going away in that car and losing sight of my community. This experience instilled in me the certainty that every human being has the right to self-determination, that every Indigenous nation has the right to remain on its own land and live according to its culture and traditions.

“In the middle of a war, I was honored to be part of a group of young people who came together to seek alternatives to violence and, most importantly, to provide some sense of hope and meaning to our lives. During high school, I was deeply involved (with all of my friends) in the peace negotiations. We were a group of 60 young people between the ages of 8 and 15. Our method of transmitting our message was to tour Indigenous communities, dancing our traditional dances, and in that way, to call for an end to the war. This is how we realized that another world was possible.

“I recall the day that the peace agreements were signed in a community that in Miskitu, our language, we call Yulu. We were there, we had been part of history, part of our People actively proposing solutions. I recall the day that the first group of refugees returned to my country. We were there to welcome the other children, to make them feel that they were coming back home. I recall the day that I first went back to my community with friends and families from all political sectors. Nothing was there, the houses were completely destroyed, but our trees and beautiful rivers and the elders were there.

“Until today, this history remains close at hand. In my work with MADRE and with FIMI in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, I am encouraged by the belief that reconciliation is truly possible, that one day we will learn to respect one another, and that we will be successful in demanding that governments fulfill their obligations to uphold women’s and Indigenous Peoples’ human rights worldwide.”

I would like to Nominate: YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD.

This past year young people everywhere stood up, shouted, and shook the world.

In a world in which 99.9% of the decisions that effect people's lives are made by adults, young people in every region of the world educated, organized, and mobilized against repression of all shapes and sizes.

In a world in which war and violence has become the norm, economic disparity between the wealthy and poor is growing, and the environment is being destroyed at the expense of future generations – young people have come together and risen to the occasion, just as young people have always done throughout history when facing oppression and aggression.

As the world controlled by “grown-ups” spins quickly out of control, youth from Nepal to Bangladesh to the United States, have made an aggressively leap forward in making this world a more peaceful and just place.

From young people in France who protested an unjust labor law, to students in Oaxaca, Mexico who took their dissent to the airwaves, this past year saw the growth and transformation of youthful resistance in the world – and it is strong, and young, and is here to stay.

Why do young people deserve to be recognized? Besides the fact that we are barely ever acknowledged and exist primarily outside of the decision-making process – we bare the brunt of many of the decisions in the world. When some old person decided to go to war, we are the ones who fight it. When a politician decides to cut a social program, we are the ones who lose it. When a World Banker decides to impose a “structural adjustment” program on a loan, we are the ones who most likely will suffer from it. We are the ones who are impacted the most by these decisions. And this past year saw a significant rise in the youth movement countering these decisions and the people who have been making them.

Lastly, we need to be recognized, because if we want systemic and structural change in the world – we need to start looking at young people as the agents of that change. If we want to not just end the Iraq war, but all wars, if we want to not only close sweatshops, but end all exploitation, if we want to not only provide a few people with an education, food and water, but guarantee everyone in this world the basic necessities of life – we need to start laying a plan not just for the next year or two – but for the next 50 years.

We are the long-term agents of change. And this past year saw us rise up across the world, and it is just the beginning.

CODEPINK would like to nominate Unreasonable Woman Diane Wilson. She lives life with her heart, politics are absent. It is startling as she sees through all the bullshit and makes miracles happen. She is bold and inspires others to boldness; including corporations dumping toxins in her Texas Bay, the Indian government holding strong on Bhopal and thousands who join in her hunger strikes. She called for one this year on Mother’s Day during our 24 hour vigil outside the White House and people around the world joined in for 80 days, 2 are still on the Troops Home FAST. She ended up in jail for her Bhopal action at DOW chemical, saw the abuse of women in the prison and is working to bring justice in the Texas prisons for women. She is tireless, she is committed to Peace and Justice with her life’s breath. She is an awesome writer with her a truly original voice.

Our 2nd choice is the women of Iraq, for their courage in waking each day to the Hell we have created for them.

Name: Michele Merkel
Country: USA
Organization: Environmental Integrity Project
Issue(s) of Focus: Factory Farms
Why should this person be nominated?
Michele Merkel is senior counsel with the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), a nonprofit organization that advocates for effective enforcement of environmental laws. Ms. Merkel, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff attorney, left the agency to start EIP with Eric Schaeffer after extreme political interference and the "anti-enforcement philosophy of the current administration" made her goal of vigorous prosecution of corporate polluters untenable. Ms. Merkel now works closely with grassroots community groups throughout the nation, focusing on Iowa, Ohio and Illinois, to protect human health and the environment from toxic air and water pollution directly linked to large scale factory farms (aka concentrated animal feed operations- CAFOs). Ms. Merkel is an advocate for the citizen suffering health problems from the waste and runoff of the neighboring industrial hog farm, she is an advocate for the family farmer who supplies people with nutritious and wholesome meat and dairy without taxing our natural resources, and she is an advocate for the children who want to play in earth and run without falling ill to respiratory sickness caused by ammonia and hydrogen sulfide released from large unregulated livestock operations. Ms. Merkel has testified before Congress, represented community groups fighting for clean air and united collations to advance public health and welfare interests at the local and national level. To learn more about Ms. Merkel, her accomplishments and uncompromised ethic and why she is an ideal candidate for this honorable award:
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/sewage/sewage.pdf
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/Hearings/11162005hearing1714/Merkel.pdf
http://www.grist.org/news/muck/2006/06/30/cafo-waste/
http://www.msawg.org/pdf/Defeat%20CAFO%20Waste%20Amendment.pdf
http://www.iaenvironment.org/archivespdf/cleanairforiowa.pdf
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0215/p02s01-uspo.html?s=widep
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4467262

Name: Muhammad Yunus
Country: Bangladesh
Organization (optional): Grameen Bank
Issue(s) of Focus: Poverty eradication, micro-finance, ICT4D, women's empowerment, corporate social responsibility, social & community development
Why should this person be nominated?:
Muhammad Yunus has proved that business doesn't have to be counter-development and investment in the poor and marginalized communities doesn't have to be loss-making. He has proved that every individual has the potential and right to lead a poverty-free life, given the right opportunity.

As the Nobel Committee said: "Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries. Loans to poor people without any financial security had appeared to be an impossible idea. From modest beginnings three decades ago, Yunus has, first and foremost through Grameen Bank, developed micro-credit into an ever more important instrument in the struggle against poverty. Grameen Bank has been a source of ideas and models for the many institutions in the field of micro-credit that have sprung up around the world.

Every single individual on earth has both the potential and the right to live a decent life. Across cultures and civilizations, Yunus and Grameen Bank have shown that even the poorest of the poor can work to bring about their own development.

Micro-credit has proved to be an important liberating force in societies where women in particular have to struggle against repressive social and economic conditions. Economic growth and political democracy can not achieve their full potential unless the female half of humanity participates on an equal footing with the male."

By winning the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2006, Yunus has brought to the centrestage the poorest of the poor people - especially women, their right to be free of poverty, their potential to improve their economic status and the role of sound business sense with a commitment to social development in eradicating poverty and achieving peace and harmony. That's why he deserves to be nominated as OneWorld's Person of 2006.

Mr Yunus lately is too busy having tea and coffee in luxury destinations since he own the noble prize forgetting all about the poor .. shame on you old man..

I nominate Al Gore

In one sense, Maria is like the rest of us, coping with the trials of daily life of a 29 year old young women with a demanding flying job .. Yet somehow, she seem to do it so much better, taking the bad with the good -- and bearing it all with remarkable grace.
Kind and compassionate, selfless and giving, she quietly go about the business of making the Dhaka a better place.She doesn't advertise it, she doesn't push herself on others and she isn't particularly fond of the spotlight.Despite all she does, Maria consistently shies away from any credit or accolades..She is one of the most beautiful human beings on earth and I, as her friend, wish to shout it to the heavens. .With nothing she has done more than all those multidollar organizations and has touched countless lives ... she is aglow with the essence of love for humanity. .For many families, Maria is their only bright light. Their only hope to overcome poverty.Whatever their individual crisis or needs , Maria gives them the skills they need "to pull themselves out of their darkness and maximize their potential .... Maria has definitely made Dhaka a nicer and happier place to be.Moreover, Maria has done it all without asking anything in return. "Her rewards come from the good feelings she gets doing for others. www.thedhakaproject.org

Bradley Roland Will (1970-2006) was a U.S. anarchist, documentary filmmaker and a journalist with Indymedia New York City. He was shot and killed on October 27, 2006 during the teachers' strike in the Mexican city of Oaxaca.