The Prize awarded by the Mediterranean Foundation is considered among the most significant internationally. Previous recipients included important personalities such as King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Hussein of Jordan, Anibal Cavaco Silva Abu Mazen, Leah Rabin, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Twal, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, and others.
The President of the Mediterranean Foundation, Doctor Michele Capasso, will confer the award. In his citation he gives the reasons for this award: "For the activities on behalf of peace and harmony among the peoples of the world, carried out by the Salesian Family, especially in the places where war rages: in these places the Salesians are often the only reference point for men and women of different faiths. The Rector Major Fr Ángel Fernández Artime is a true builder of Peace. In his role as Leader and Master of the whole Salesian Family - the Salesians, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and Cooperators –he nourishes hope and spreads hope with humility in young people who have to face life as 'searchers for what is positive' and spread the 'True', the 'Beautiful' and 'good' as the foundation of civil, religious and social life."
During the Academic Act of 19 October the Rector of the UPS, Professor Mauro Mantovani, will receive from the Mediterranean Foundation, on behalf of the University, the "Bringer of Peace Award" 2016, "acknowledging the role played by the entire Salesian Pontifical University in the education of young people to peace and coexistence between different peoples, in light of the 'new humanism' and 'civilization of love', to use the expressions of Pope Paul VI."
At its headquarters in the Peace Museum in Naples, the Mediterranean Foundation has set up 107 large videowalls which tell the story of the work of the Salesians in the world.
In this twentieth year since its inauguration, the Mediterranean Prize is an original work "Totem of Peace" by sculptor Mario Molinari from Turin, an artist with close links to Don Bosco, which makes the award even more symbolic.
