Instead of recognizing his work or the work of traditional Track I diplomats, Ambassador Holbrooke encouraged the organization to honor local, grassroots peacemakers who put their lives at risk for peace in their communities. And thus the Peacemakers in Action Award was conceived.
By awarding grassroots actors for their tireless work, Tanenbaum would in Holbrooke´s vision not only be shining light on their less recognized efforts in peacemaking, but might also be providing much needed international cover for those who are actively threatened and harassed for conducting their work.
Since 1998, Tanenbaum has named 30 Peacemakers in Action from 23 different conflict zones. Today, those Peacemakers in Action belong to their own unique Peacemakers in Action Network. As an official Network facilitated by Tanenbaum, the Peacemakers have delivered successful collaborations to help transform conflicts, reconcile people and build a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. They have worked together over the years in Nigeria, Honduras, South Africa, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Colombia, Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Sri Lanka and the United States.
For those interested in learning more about the life and career of the man who inspired Tanenbaum to identify, honor and promote the work of religiously motivated peacemakers from around the world, we recommend the 2015 released document The Diplomat. HBO recently aired this documentary by David Holbrooke, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke´s son, and it is available at HBO website until 29th November 2015.