"The awards programme, which has been running since 1997, recognises young people, aged 14 to 18, who have undertaken a substantial body of work that promotes understanding of different philosophies and cultures, and instills respect for people, their work, the environment, and the advancement of global harmony.

Guests and award winners were treaed to a powerful keynote speech by Paul Rusesabagina. Since saving over 1200 people when his country descended into chaos ten years ago, Mr. Rusesabagina has been travelling around the world inspiring others to support, care for and protect the innocent victims of violence.

Following his keynote speech, Mr. Rusesabagina, who is also founder of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation, joined the Peace Prize winners for a Q&A session with ACS High School students, where he stated “I am inspired and heartned by the thoughtful and passionate work these young people are doing to help their fellow global citizens. The ACS International Peace Prize is a unique opportunity for educators, advocates and young people to come together and celebrate the good work being done around the globe to end injustice and usher opportunity and optimism to even the furthest corners of our world."

And the award winners are:

• Adoree Kim, a 17 year-old American of East Asian origin, produced "Pursued by Dragons" a documentary film exploring the rising crisis of North Korean refugees living in China and South Korea; (Global Peace Prize recipient)
• Jake Masters, an ACS International school student, created a picture diary documenting his two years working with the children of Johannesburg; (ACS Peace Prize recipient)
• A team of ACS International school students received a group award for their project "Technology Changes Lives" which saw a rural Namibian school transformed when ACS students raised funds and gatherer sponsorship to wire the library with computers and internet access. (ACS Group Peace Prize recipient)

The ACS International Schools Foundation sponsors two types of awards: a Global Peace Prize – an international award that invites students around the world to submit their work; and the ACS Peace Prize for students within the school community.

A representative from American University also awarded the Global Prize winner, Adoree Kim, a $5,000 tuition scholarship to study as part of American University's Washington Semester programme. Kim will be eligible to study at the university’s seminar-internship programme in the United States capital during either the third or fourth year of her university study.

Malcolm Kay, Superintendent of ACS International Schools, presented the young visionaries with their awards, and commented on the shared vision between the award winners and the ACS community "The ACS International Schools Foundation is thrilled to be celebrating our bi-annual Peace Prize with Paul Rusesabagina and such an inspiring group of young people. The award winners serve as an inspiration to us all as we work to build an international community based on mutual respect, education, and global citizenship."