Our Story
Since 1998 the Sydney Peace Foundation has encouraged people in Australia and abroad to think about the meaning of peace, justice and alternatives to violence. It is easy to live in a bubble – we work in partnership to make sure we build bridges between different sectors of our society. Our Council and the Sydney Peace Prize Jury is made up of representatives from business, media, public service, community services and academia.
Extraordinary people around the world have powerful solutions for the world’s biggest problems.
Together, we can make sure their voices are heard. Together, we can help them keep going.
Together, we can create a peaceful, fair, just and compassionate world that cares for people and planet.
Our Founder, Professor Stuart Rees
The Sydney Peace Foundation was founded in 1998 by Emeritus Professor Stuart Rees AM, an Australian academic, human rights activist and author.
In his books on social justice issues and in anthologies of poetry, he has written passionately about social justice and crafted answers to the biggest question of all – what it means to be human.
Professor Rees has worked in community development in India and Sri Lanka, and as academic in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. He has been involved in peace negotiations in Cambodia, Israel/Palestine, and initiatives in West Papua and the Occupied Palestinian Territory / Israel.
Our Partners in Peace
In 2025 the Sydney Peace Foundation became an independent, not-for-profit Foundation after 27 years based at the University of Sydney. The Foundation to promote public interest in peace, justice and universal human rights. We are extraordinarily grateful for the generous support of the City of Sydney, our major partner in peace. We are also grateful to the University of Sydney for its continued support.
Our work is wholly dependent on donations from people like you. People who care about peace and justice, and who believe that by supporting community leaders who work to make this a reality for people every day, we can create a fairer world.
For information on how to become a Sydney Peace Foundation partner, please contact us.
Our Patrons
The City of Sydney is proud to be associated with the Sydney Peace Foundation for the benefit of Australians and people across the globe. The Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said:
I commend the Sydney Peace Foundation for its important work promoting peace and justice. The City of Sydney has been a proud sponsor of the Sydney Peace Prize since its inception. Australia’s only international award for peace is an invaluable way of recognising outstanding contributions to peace, justice, nonviolence and to human rights. The Sydney Peace Prize reminds us that urgent action is needed to address human rights.
The former The University of Sydney Chancellor and Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Dame Professor Marie Bashir AC DVO, said:
I am immensely proud of the wonderful work undertaken by The Sydney Peace Foundation. The Foundation and its many members advocate for peace with justice; educating and inspiring all of us to think more deeply about the world in which we live.