Dame Marcella Liburd Serves as Eminent Person for the Selection of the 2025 UN Nelson Mandela Prize Laureates

The 2025 United Nations Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, a prestigious accolade bestowed every five years to individuals embodying the UN’s principles and Mandela’s legacy of service, reconciliation, and social transformation, was awarded to two exceptional individuals: Brenda Reynolds and Kennedy Odede. Reynolds, a social worker of Saulteaux heritage, has dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of Indigenous communities in Canada. Odede, the founder and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities, has spearheaded grassroots efforts to provide vital services to urban slums in Kenya. These individuals were chosen from a pool of 331 nominations spanning 66 Member States, underscoring the global reach and significance of the prize.

The selection process, guided by the principles enshrined in the Prize’s statute, involved a distinguished Selection Committee and an advisory Eminent Persons Group. The Selection Committee, chaired by Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, comprised Permanent Representatives from various regional groups, including Bahrain, Poland, Finland, Egypt, and South Africa. Crucially, the Permanent Mission of St. Kitts and Nevis to the UN represented the Latin American and Caribbean Group on the committee, reflecting the Federation’s ongoing commitment to global peace and justice. This representation further underscores the small island nation’s dedication to upholding the values championed by Nelson Mandela, even amidst a global landscape marred by conflict and rising inequality.

The participation of St. Kitts and Nevis in the selection process was spearheaded by H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams, Permanent Representative to the UN, and H.E. Marcella Liburd, Governor General of the Federation. Dr. Williams emphasized the relevance of Mandela’s legacy of peace, reconciliation, and dialogue in a world grappling with conflict and widening inequalities. Liburd highlighted the alignment of St. Kitts and Nevis’ involvement with the nation’s constitutional commitment to peace and justice, echoing the national anthem’s call to be “stalwarts of peace and justice.” This participation reflects St. Kitts and Nevis’ continued efforts to champion diplomacy and peace on the global stage.

The Selection Committee’s work was further enriched by the contributions of an Eminent Persons Group, providing expert guidance and ensuring the selection of laureates of the highest caliber. This group included Marcella A. Liburd, Governor General of St. Kitts and Nevis; Tarja Halonen, former President of Finland; Mohamed Mostafa ElBaradei, Nobel Laureate and former Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); and Elżbieta Mikos-Skuza, senior lecturer at the University of Warsaw. Their combined experience and expertise provided invaluable insights into the selection process, ensuring the chosen laureates truly embodied the spirit of the award.

Supporting the Selection Committee in their deliberations were the Office of the President of the General Assembly, the UN’s Global Communications Team, and deputies from the respective UN missions, including Eustace T. Wallace, Minister Counselor for the St. Kitts and Nevis Permanent Mission to the UN. This collaborative effort ensured a comprehensive and rigorous selection process. The involvement of representatives from different UN bodies highlights the importance placed on the Mandela Prize and its alignment with the core values of the United Nations.

The 2025 Mandela Prize ceremony, set to take place on Nelson Mandela International Day (July 18th), will be a significant event, with the theme “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequality.” Secretary-General António Guterres and General Assembly President Philemon Yang will jointly confer the honorary awards upon Reynolds and Odede. This event not only celebrates the achievements of the laureates but also serves as a powerful reminder of Mandela’s enduring legacy and the ongoing global struggle for social justice and equality. The chosen theme underscores the continued relevance of Mandela’s fight against poverty and inequality and calls upon the international community to renew its commitment to these crucial issues.