The Charles Bronfman Prize Fetes Two Young Humanitarians

There are occasions, when tasked with selecting one of two competing but terrific alternatives, that the best and most appropriate choice is to refuse to make one.

In a first for the 6-year-old humanitarian award, the committee of judges charged with awarding the annual Charles Bronfman Prize has announced that the 2010 winner is actually a pair of equally worthy honorees.

For their exemplary expression of such values as compassion and dedication to the service of mankind, Jared Genser, Founder of Freedom Now and Sasha Chanoff, Founder of Mapendo International have both been selected to share the recognition that comes with the Bronfman Prize as inspiring young humanitarians whose efforts and energy are worth our attention, appreciation and emulation.

In the words of the foundation behind the annual accolade:

"The Charles Bronfman Prize is a humanitarian award that celebrates the vision and endeavor of an individual or team under 50 years of age, whose humanitarian work has contributed significantly to the betterment of the world. Its goal is to bring public recognition to young, dynamic individuals whose Jewish values infuse their humanitarian accomplishments, and provide inspiration to the next generations ... An internationally recognized panel of Judges selects the Prize recipient(s) and bestows an award of $100,000."

Genser and Chanoff will each to receive the full prize award of $100,000.

Genser (left), through his nonprofit organization Freedom Now, seeks to free the unjustly imprisoned in such places as Burma, China, Egypt and Pakistan, fusing knowledge of law, international politics and public relations in having established a new and innovative manner of providing defense of human rights. Among Genser's clients is Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and presently under house arrest for acts of conscience and political opposition.

Chanoff (right), who founded and directs Mapendo International, has for more than ten years focused on rescue, relief and resettlement challenges that have arisen from the often violent and shocking political turmoil that grips much of Africa. In concert with the United Nations and other humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Chanoff and Mapendo have successfully identified endangered populations, stewarded them to safety, and have provided a suite of follow-through services to aid refugees in establishing new lives in safety, but in sometimes new and distant locations from the ones left behind.

Speaking on behalf of the foundation and of the award, Stephen Bronfman says by way of the press release announcing the decision:

"By recognizing both Sasha Chanoff and Jared Genser, two extraordinary young men addressing human rights issues from different perspectives, the Prize is seizing an unprecedented opportunity to advance a broader agenda. While focused on different issues, their common objective is the promotion and protection of rights, their common strategy is visionary tenacity, and their common beneficiary is humanity. This is a significant opportunity to honor the finest in inspired Jewish and cosmopolitan values and ethics."

Photo by hdptcar via Flickr.