Three extraordinary youngsters are in the running for the International Children’s Peace Prize 2025, the most important youth prize in the world:– Bana Alabed (aged 15, Syria/Turkey) – Aeshnina (Nina) Azzahra Aqilani (aged 17, Indonesia) – Divyansh Agrawal (aged 16, USA)In the prize’s 21st year, these young candidates have been recognized for their groundbreaking commitments to children’s rights, including advocacy for war-affected children, tackling plastic colonialism, and driving climate action.This year the award ceremony will be held in Stockholm. The winner will be announced in the hometown of the Nobel Prize, at Stockholm’s iconic City Hall, on Wednesday, 19th November 2025. Co-host in 2025 is Global Child Forum, founded by the Swedish Royal family.
Receiving more than 200 nominations from 47 countries, reflecting the International Children’s Peace Prize’s prestige and the global platform on offer, a shortlist of three incredible finalists has been selected by a panel of experts.
Aeshnina (Nina) Azzahra Aqilani is a 17-year-old from Indonesia and a fierce advocate against “plastic colonialism.” Nina’s activism began at age 12 when she exposed the harmful practice of Western nations exporting plastic waste to Indonesia, adressing leaders like Trump directly, her advocacy contributed to the European Green Deal’s 2027 ban on these exports, a historic win for global environmental justice.
Bana Alabed is a 15-year-old Syrian native, now residing in Turkey. Bana exemplifies resilience and courage, giving a voice to children trapped in war zones. Having endured the 2016 siege of Aleppo, Bana began her advocacy by sharing her experiences of war through diaries, blogs, and social media, gaining international attention. Bana is actively advocating for missing children in Syria and asks attention for children in conflict zones like Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.
Divyansh Agrawal is a 16-year-old from the United States who has mobilized thousands in his fight for climate justice and children’s rights. As the founder of the Junior Philanthropists Foundation, he has helped pass 18 environmental bills in California, directly improving the lives of millions. Divyansh co-drafted the Global Youth Statement at COP29 in 2024, advocating for climate resilience.
The International Children’s Peace Prize, recognized for celebrating young changemakers like former recipients Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg. They inspire hundreds of millions of people each year. Last year the message of the young winner reached 3.8 billion people through international media.
Each year the International Children’s Peace Prize has been awarded by a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. This year Mrs Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Laureate 2011 will declare the winner who will receive the Nkosi Statuette along with a Desmond Tutu Study and Care Grant for their education. The winner will also be eligible to apply for a project fund of € 50,000.
Announcing the finalists, Marc Dullaert, Founder and Chair at KidsRights said: “The International Children’s Peace Prize is a testament to the courage, determination, and vision of young changemakers who are shaping a more just and equitable world. This year’s finalists, Nina, Bana and Divyansh, have risen to extraordinary challenges, advocating for environmental justice, war-affected children, and climate action. Their work exemplifies the spirit of the International Children’s Peace Prize and inspires us all to join the fight for children’s rights.
By winning the International Children’s Peace Prize, the winner receives the iconic Nkosi Statuette, the Desmond Tutu Study and Care Grant and a €75,000 Project Fund to create even greater impact. €50,000 will support the winner’s own initiative, while €25,000 will be invested by KidsRights in projects led by other young changemakers working on the same theme of peace and children’s rights.
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