Common Ground Awards 2000

Search for Common Ground, one of the world's leading non-governmental organization involved in conflict resolution, bestowed its third annual Common Ground Awards during a gala reception on December 14, at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, DC.

These awards recognize outstanding achievements in conflict resolution internationally and in the United States. Each recipient has made an important contribution toward bridging the divides between people, finding solutions to seemingly intractable problems, and providing hope where there often seemed to be none.

The 2000 Award for International Peacemaking was presented to Kim Dae Jung and Kim Jong Il, the leaders of South and North Korea, for their historic breakthrough in efforts to resolve the countries' fifty-year-old conflict. Last summer's initiative paved the way for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's recent visit to North Korea. Additional honors included:

The Music Award to conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim for creation of the Middle East Youth Orchestra

The Congressional Cooperation Award to Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-NE) and Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) for their bipartisan effort that led to passage of the bill granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China

The Film Award to actor and director Edward Norton for his recent film, "Keeping the Faith"

The Special Achievement Award to Libby Rouse, co-founder of the planned community of Columbia, Maryland and grandmother of Edward Norton

The Book Award to William Ury for his new book, Getting to Peace (Dr. Ury is also co-author of Getting to Yes.)

The Community Award to Assistant U.S. Attorney Loretta C. Biggs, for bringing together community leaders, police, and politicians to reduce youth crime in several North Carolina cities.

The Special posthumous Award to Ambassador Peter D. Constable, founding director of Search for Common Ground in the Middle East.

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