Truce Ideal Awards by The Truce Foundation of the USA

TORINO, Italy - The event was the presentation ceremony of the Truce Ideal Awards by The Truce Foundation of the USA. The setting was at the Baroque-style, 18th-century palace of Stupinigi, built for the Savoy royal family. The recipients of the awards were U.S. Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth, President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. 

Hugh Dugan - Founder Truce Foundation of the USA

Award Recipients

Another Step Towards Peace - The Truce Foundation Reconnects the World. Report by Oyiza Adaba - U.S-based International Correspondent and a contributor to this service.

Receiving the 'President's Award' on behalf of their respective governments, Nigeria's Minister for Information and National Orientation Frank Nweke and Liberia's Acting Ambassador to Italy, Musu Ruhle, both expressed thanks and pride in the gesture.

The first female African President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia used the opportunity to remind the international community that while recovering from a 14-year civil war, Liberia still needs help in its reconstruction and reform programs.

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THE COMPLETE PHOTO COVERAGE

Pictures By Oyiza Adaba

Hon. Frank Nweke receiving award on behalf of Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo

IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch

Nigeria's Hon. Frank Nweke

Liberia's Acting Ambassador to Italy Musu Ruhle with the award. She  represented President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.

Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney

Peter Tichansky President CEO  BCIU

Hugh Dugan - Founder Truce Foundation of the USA & Hon. Frank Nweke

VENUE The Royal Hunting Residence of Stupinigi

Award Presentation to USOC Chairman Peter Ueberroth

IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch & Greek Minister for Culture Fanny Palli Petria

Guests Interacting

US Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth and wife

Spectators at U.S-Latvia Hockey Match

FULL REPORT BY Oyiza Adaba, Continued 

President Obasanjo's efforts in brokering peace on the African continent had not gone unnoticed. His achievements as Chairman of the Africa Union include keeping peace talks in Dafur prominent in the world's agenda, quelling an attempted coup in Togo, the resolution of the Liberian Civil War, as well as his tireless campaign for Africa's debt relief. On the home front, Obasanjo is credited for economic and government reforms, while also fighting corruption.

Peter Ueberroth received the 'Mitt Romney Truce Ideal Award' for his exemplary leadership of the U.S. Olympic Committee. As president of the organizing committee for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Ueberroth revived the Olympic spirit while also creating a financially successful competition that resulted in a $250 million surplus.

The other award handed out was the 'Open Fields Awards' to the people of Italy. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini received this on behalf of his government.

Founded by American Hugh Dugan, and inspired by the Olympic Truce, the Truce Foundation has made it a mission to teach the world about overcoming international conflicts, setting societal and personal ideals as well as making the world and the Olympics games safer.

In the true Olympic spirit came a show of support from individuals and representatives of various governments and businesses such as co-sponsors Irwin Belk, Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), Coltrin & Associates, The Lugano Group Incorporated, as well as the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO).

Featured prominently at the ceremony were Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts who was the first recipient of the Truce Ideal Award in 2004, IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch, the Greek Minister for Culture Fanny Palli Petria, Pfizer European VP & BCIU Chairman  Michael Hodin, official sculptor of the USOC Jon Hair and Sports Artist Mina Papatheodorou-Valyraki whose 'Olympic Truce' painting adorned the palace.