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Scilla Elworthy PhD

Dr Scilla Elworthy turns vision into action: three times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for developing effective dialogue between nuclear weapons policy-makers worldwide and their critics, with the Oxford Research Group founded in 1982. 

Peace Direct goes from strength to strength under brilliant young leadership, founded by Scilla in 2002 to fund, promote and learn from local peace-builders in conflict areas. Scilla was adviser to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sir Richard Branson in setting up ‘The Elders’, and was Awarded the Niwano Peace Prize in 2003. 

Today her full attention is on developing Business Plan for Peace.

www.thebusinessplanforpeace.org resulting from her 2017 book The Business Plan for Peace: Building a World Without War.  Her TED talk on non violence has been viewed by over 1,400,000 people on TED and YouTube.  

1982

Oxford Research Group

Established the Oxford Research Group, and for 23 years built up an international reputation for rigorous research into key global security issues (mainly WMD) and effective dialogue with government, the military and civil society.

1988

Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for 1st time

1989

Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

1989 Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for 2nd time

1991

Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for 3rd time

1993

Ph.D in Political Science

Awarded Ph.D in political science, Department of Peace Studies, Bradford University

2001

Peace Direct

Established Peace Direct to support those working non-violently in conflict areas (Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo) to prevent or resolve conflict

2003

Niwano Peace Prize

Awarded the Niwano Peace Prize to honor and encourage those devoting themselves to interreligious cooperation in the cause of peace

2005

Charity Times Award

Peace Direct awarded Best New Charity at the Charity Times Awards

2007

World Future Council

Appointed Councillor of the World Future Council

2007

Preventive Diplomacy

2007 Appointed Member of the International Task Force on Preventive Diplomacy

2008

The Elders

Launch of The Elders in Johannesburg on Nelson Mandela’s 89th birthday

2011

World Peace Partnership Award

World Peace Partnership Award for Outstanding Contributions to Global Peace Building

2012

TEDx Exeter

TEDx Exeter How do I deal with a bully, without becoming a thug myself?

2012

International Advisory Council

Appointed to the International Advisory Council of the Institute for Economics and Peace

2012

Hanwang Forum, Beijing

Speaker at Hanwang Forum, Beijing, State Guesthouse

2013

 Lifetime Achievement Award

Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Voice of a Woman

2015

The world's 100 most inspiring women

Ranked #32 on The world’s 100 most inspiring women by Salt magazine

2016

Dadi Janki Award

Received Dadi Janki Award after being chosen one of the 100 Women of Spirit in the UK

2016

Speaker at FemmeQ Summit

Speaker at FemmeQ Summit in Berlin with 10 other pioneers of Rising Women Rising World

2016

Trinity College Leadership Perspectives Award

Honoured with the Leadership Perspectives Award by the Student Managed Fund

2017

100 Visionary Leaders

Honoured as patron of BrightMed Festival in Gibraltar. Nominated one of 100 Visionary Leaders by ‘Real Leaders’ – the world’s first sustainable business & leadership magazine

2017

Women Sowers of Development Prize

At Voices of Faith event at the Vatican, received the Women Sowers of Development Prize

2018

Montessori Model United Nations Conference

For work to Empower Youth for a Better World, presented at the Montessori Model United Nations Conference in New York

2018

Pathways for Peace, Heart Ambassador - Lifetime Achievement Award

Honoured as a Heart Ambassador with a Lifetime Achievement Award for the Inspiring and Tenacious Contribution to World Peace.

2021

Luxembourg Peace Prize

Outstanding peace Activist

2023

Goi Peace Award