Akif Manaf Receives Barrier-Free Life and Peace Award

Akif Manaf, an International Peace Prize laureate, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, peace activist, and world-renowned author, has been awarded the Barrier-Free Life and Peace Award by the Eyüpsultan Barrier-Free Life Volunteers Social Assistance and Solidarity Association for his active peace efforts that respect the right of all segments of society to live in peace. The award was presented by the association's president, Şahin Delice. Before the ceremony, Manaf held a talk on "Peace Psychology." Manaf has previously received international awards such as the 2025 International Peace Prize from the France-based International Peace Association and the Global Peace Prize from Sweden. He has also been honored with numerous awards in Turkey, including the Egeyön Peace Award, Peace with Nature Award, Global Peace Award, and many others.

During the award presentation, Manaf emphasized that individual conflicts sow the seeds of war. "When a person cannot get along with their neighbor and argues, shouts angrily at their spouse, uses violence against their child, quarrels with a friend, argues with colleagues, and harbors hatred towards people, they are actually planting the seeds of a possible future war," he said. He noted that most people are unaware of this and do not think about it. He stated that every conflict is an invitation to war, and when war breaks out, people ask why it happened, but in reality, the actions they throw into the war piggy bank every day cause war.

Akif Manaf's global peace efforts are not limited to theory; they are realized through concrete projects. His book "Peace Psychology," published in about twenty languages, is central to his peace work. He also leads important projects such as the "Peace Art Program," "Healthy Life Village in Peace Project," and "World Change Day for Sustainable Peace." These projects provide practical steps for establishing peace.

Manaf organizes peace-themed talks in many countries as part of his global peace work. He meets with representatives of non-governmental organizations, university students, and academics. He contributes to the development of peace awareness at both individual and societal levels. He shares his experiences with peace volunteers in the countries he visits.

Manaf is expected to continue his peace work uninterrupted in the future. It is reported that he will continue to meet with readers and peace volunteers, especially in new countries where "Peace Psychology" is published. Through these efforts, he aims to contribute to the spread of global peace consciousness.