The 6th TRT Global Citizenship Awards Ceremony was held in Istanbul on January 17th under the theme “Making Positive Change” and aims to recognize individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to humanity.
The event honored those who have made outstanding efforts to promote justice, truth, and compassion.
In his speech, TRT Secretary-General Mehmet Zahid Sobach emphasized that the award was established to amplify the voices of those who champion good in the face of adversity. He highlighted how previous awards ceremonies have brought attention to overlooked stories of sacrifice and helped spread goodwill around the world.
Mr. Sauvage also addressed global injustices, including the atrocities in Gaza, saying they are evidence of the dire consequences of unchecked atrocities. He stressed that Turkiye, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, serves as a moral compass, noting that the country has always stood on the side of justice and humanity.
In his speech, Head of Public Relations Fallettin Altun emphasized Turkiye’s dual role as a domestic and international stabilizing force, emphasizing its ability to strengthen domestic cohesion while promoting regional and global stability.
Altun said Islamic teachings view history as a struggle between truth and falsehood. They offer hope and declare that “falsehood will disappear with the coming of truth.” This highlights that the concepts of good and evil remain relevant through the ages, despite attempts to obscure or erase them.
Mr. Altun emphasized that the struggle between good and evil is central to today’s international political reality. It continues to remain in our lives, despite efforts to distract, hide, and cover it up in various ways.
He pointed out that the major force behind the concealment and banalization of evil is the global media order, especially the Western hegemonic media system.
The awards ceremony recognized outstanding achievements across six different categories. The highest honor, World Citizen of the Year, was awarded posthumously to Ayşenur Ezgi Eigi, who lost his life during a protest in Nablus on September 6, 2024. Her father Mehmet Suat Eigi received the award from Altun.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Steve Sosebee, founder of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), for his decades of work saving the lives of children in conflict zones. Dr. Amani Baroul received the TRT Special Award for her extraordinary humanitarian efforts in running a hospital during the Syrian war.
In the communicator category, Ajma Dhanji and Alhum Ishtiaq were recognized for their efforts to raise awareness and create impactful communication efforts. In the educator category, Rana Dajani was recognized for her contributions to education and empowering communities through learning. Helen Ba won the Youth Award for inspiring and mobilizing young people for meaningful change.
At the ceremony, Palestinian singer Runlu gave a moving performance, singing songs she wrote for Palestine, “Wake Up” and “Keep Your Key.”
World Citizen, an initiative by TRT World, aims to inspire individuals to realize their potential to drive meaningful change, and to foster a global coalition empowered by the contributions of each member. serves as a platform for
