Moshe Kantor Launches €1 MN Prize to Combat Extremism

Businessman peace activist Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor launched in early March a new award aimed at fighting extremism and promoting peace. The European Jewish leader announced the prize at the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR) round-table event at the Salon Bellevue in Monaco. The event was attended by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair (who is currently the ECTR Chairman) along with a host of academic experts and policy influencers who share the common goal of addressing the threat of radicalisation.

The Moshe Kantor Prize

The €1 million prize is formally referred to as the “Kantor Prize for Secure Tolerance.” It will be awarded by ECTR’s panel of academic advisers to those who achieve exceptional research that advance the idea of “secure tolerance.” Candidates for the award need to present original and creative research on the ways the practice of tolerance can address the challenges of a globalized world and societies that exhibit rich diversity.

The award is intended to foster progressive thinking that will be helpful for Europeans as they deal with security and human rights threats. Additionally, the prize is meant to shed light on the legitimate concerns of Europeans who may share the sentiment that immigration and other related trends pose threats to their security.

At the announcement of the Kantor prize, Monaco’s HSH Prince Albert II was tasked to provide the welcome address, wherein he emphasized his appreciation and support for the actions of the ECTR particularly in advancing a tolerant vision for the entire European continent. After his address, he was bestowed the 2018 European Medal of Tolerance award.

ECTR Chairman Tony Blair also made a statement at the launching of the Kantor prize. He highlighted the significance of tolerance and its essence in society in the context of a unified world. He called for a responsible and objective approach in addressing extremism in troubled times not only for Europe but for the international community.

On the other hand, Moshe Kantor, for whom the prize is named, expressed his elation over the commitment of HSH Prince Albert II in advancing a true account of the Holocaust. He praised the Monaco prince’s focus on historical accuracy as it supports “the best traditions of the Principality in tackling challenges of coexistence, respect, and compassion.”

Moshe Kantor, the Peace Advocate

Moshe Kantor is as an international public figure known for his peace advocacy and philanthropy. He is involved in various activities that discuss and elaborate on ways to cease the proliferation of nuclear arms, thereby preventing a possible global nuclear disaster.

Kantor acknowledges that Europeans are feeling like they are becoming the victims of exclusion as Europe undergoes rapid technological and societal changes. These changes are making many in Europe feel disenfranchised and unable to take advantage of the benefits of these changes. To cope with these changes, Kantor conjectures that many are resorting to simplistic solutions.

These simplistic solutions, for Kantor, are not helping solve the problem. Instead, they are senselessly and misguidedly provoking nationalism, populism, and extremism. Kantor fears that these can lead to new and bigger problems like the possibility of an economic depression and war. However, there’s the option to create new models for a tolerant society that can yield benefits for everyone, with everybody’s security guaranteed.

Moshe Kantor is currently the president of the European Jewish Congress. He is also the chairman of the European Jewish fund, the president of the International Luxembourg Forum on Preventing Nuclear Catastrophe, president of the World Holocaust Forum Foundation, and chairman of the World Jewish Congress Policy Council.

European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation

The European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation is an international nonprofit organization created to promote international tolerance, education, and reconciliation. It is a nonpartisan non-governmental entity that seeks to foster understanding and tolerance among people from different ethnic backgrounds. Moshe Kantor is currently the president of this organization.

The ECTR round table event in Monaco in early March was a conference organized to bring together academic, political, and nonprofit leaders from 22 countries. The goal of which was to find solutions to the threat of radicalization that is mainly induced by the lack of tolerance in European countries. The event tackled political radicalization, hate speech being spread online, and the need to integrate immigrant communities.

ECTR and Kantor are working to promote and support thinking that makes tolerance more secure and sustainable. Kantor, in particular, is asserting that a clear and proactive action plan is needed to dispel the threats posed by isolationism and nationalism.