Mines Advisory Group wins Hilton Prize: 30 years for peace!

Mines Advisory Group wins Hilton Prize: 30 years for peace!

On August 13, 2025, the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) was selected by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation as a recipient of the 2025 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. This prize, which has been awarded for 30 years, recognizes outstanding humanitarian achievements and in this anniversary year the endowment has been increased from 2.5 million to 3 million dollars. MAG, an organization based in the United Kingdom, focuses on eliminating landmines and reducing armed violence in conflict-affected areas.

Since its founding in 1989, MAG has helped more than 23 million people in over 70 countries rebuild their lives after conflict. The organization plays a leading role in international efforts to prevent the use of landmines and address humanitarian needs in regions affected by conflict. As reported by PR Newswire, the selection of the prize winner will be carried out by an international panel of Jurors met.

Jury and meaning of the prize

The jury for the 2025 Hilton Prize is made up of notable personalities, including Helen Clark, Leymah Gbowee and Queen Noor. Peter Laugharn, President and CEO of the Hilton Foundation, emphasized the urgency of compassion and peace on the global agenda, especially in light of current geopolitical conflicts. In 2023, over 80% of landmine victims were civilians, a third of whom are children, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Darren Cormack, MAG's CEO, highlighted the crucial role of global staff, who come predominantly from communities affected by the conflict. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for its role in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and has since worked tirelessly to support those suffering from the effects of landmines and unexploded ordnance.

The challenges posed by landmines worldwide

Despite international efforts to ban landmines and improvised explosive devices, the use of these weapons remains a serious problem in many conflicts. According to Foreign Policy Office, around 60 countries suffer from explosive legacies of past or current conflicts. Every step outside secured areas in affected areas can be life-threatening, as reliable information about dangerous areas is often lacking.

The situation is particularly dramatic in areas where the use of booby traps and landmines is increasing, such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The civilian population in these regions is not only under the pressure of armed conflict, but is also exposed to the constant dangers of mines and explosives hidden in everyday objects. Germany is committed to supporting humanitarian demining and improving the protection of civilians under international agreements such as the Ottawa Convention and the EWIPA Declaration.

In summary, the Mines Advisory Group's award of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize shows how important the work against landmines and armed violence is. In light of ongoing global challenges, the role of such organizations is becoming increasingly crucial in restoring peace and stability in war-torn regions.