The International Children's Peace Prize by KidsRights has gone this year to 16-year-old Baruani Ndume from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He received his award on Thursday for his radio show "Children for Children".

Buruani lives in Tanzania and stands up for fellow child refugees. By means of his radio programme, he provides a platform for children to speak out about the problems they experience as refugees.

The Children’s Peace Prize was set up in 2005 by the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The first prize was awarded posthumously to Nkosi Johnson, a young South African who during his short life, broke the taboo on HIV-infected people in his country.

The Dutch Foundation, KidsRights, stands up for the rights of vulnerable children across the world. To achieve this, KidsRights offers direct, tailored support to these children and generates attention for their problems and rights. KidsRights helps by financing existing, well-organised local aid projects and offers a platform to children, who themselves are usually unable to attract the eyes and ears of the world. In the words of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Desmond Tutu, “KidsRights seeks to give a voice to the voiceless.“

The different winners over the years:

2005: Nkosi Johnson (South Africa)
2006: Om Prakash (India)
2007: Thandiwe (Zambia)
2008: Mayra Avellar (Brazil)
2009: Baruani Ndume (Congo)