windows4peace
Impact Peace Heroes France
Yann Fradin
The gray sprawl of cities is slowly turning green thanks to the work of this ecological urbanist. Through his leadership at Espaces and Emmaüs France, Yann Fradin brings nature back into urban planning—restoring biodiversity, creating jobs, and reimagining public spaces as places for both ecological balance and social connection.
Vincent Touboul Flachaire
Transforming the simple act of watching an ad into a tool for global change, the founder of Goodeed has reimagined online philanthropy. By redirecting advertising revenue toward NGOs, he has made charitable giving accessible to millions through everyday digital behavior. Selected as an Obama Foundation Scholar, he stands at the forefront of digital solutions to global inequality.
Simon Bernard
Aboard a floating laboratory, this visionary mariner and engineer leads Plastic Odyssey, an expedition tackling ocean pollution with local solutions. His project promotes recycling technologies in coastal communities, especially in the Global South, addressing plastic at its source while building international awareness around consumption and waste.
Ryadh Sallem
Whether on the basketball court or in policy circles, Ryadh Sallem leads by example. His long-standing work with CAPSAA and advocacy in handisport programs champions dignity, autonomy, and inclusive employment for people with disabilities.
Pierre Moreau
At Be-Cause, collaboration is the engine of transformation. Bringing together NGOs, businesses, and public institutions, its founder designs partnerships that tackle social and environmental challenges in unison. His approach blends strategic consulting with mission-driven innovation, turning shared goals into measurable change.
Nicolas Hazard
Through INCO, Nicolas Hazard supports the next generation of startups solving real-world problems—from education to clean energy. His vision centers on a fairer economy where business success goes hand in hand with social and ecological progress.
Moussa Camara
With a powerful belief in the potential of underserved communities, Moussa Camara created Les Déterminés to support and train aspiring founders from disadvantaged backgrounds. His work fosters inclusive economic growth and restores hope and autonomy to youth often left on the margins, proving that entrepreneurship can be a vehicle for both dignity and peace.
Maud Caillaux
At just 26, Maud Caillaux co-founded Green-Got, a green banking startup that reinvents finance for the climate-conscious generation. By redirecting investments away from fossil fuels and toward sustainable initiatives, she helps citizens contribute to global harmony through their wallets.
Marie-Amélie Le Fur
From the Paralympic podium to boardroom leadership, Marie-Amélie Le Fur has become a symbol of strength and inclusivity. As president of France’s Paralympic Committee, she advocates for visibility, funding, and equality in adaptive sports across the country.
Julie Chapon
With Yuka, Julie Chapon has revolutionized how French consumers engage with food and health. The app’s clear scoring system for nutritional value and product safety empowers individuals to make more mindful choices, reinforcing public health from the ground up.
Lucie Basch
Saving a meal is as easy as opening an app, thanks to Lucie Basch, the co-founder of Too Good To Go. Her intuitive platform connects consumers with surplus food from restaurants and stores, fighting waste on a massive scale. With millions of meals saved across Europe, her work not only curbs emissions but also redefines the value of what we eat—and what we discard.
Jonathan Jeremiasz
At the helm of Mouvess – L’Agence Solidaire, Jonathan Jérémiasz focuses on building bridges between grassroots initiatives and public institutions. His work centers on strengthening the social economy by supporting organizations that promote civic participation, democratic innovation, and social cohesion.
Julia Faure
Disillusioned by the environmental toll of fast fashion, Julia Faure launched Loom to prove that clothing can be made with purpose, durability, and ecological respect. Committed to radical transparency, she works to reshape consumer expectations while pressuring the fashion industry toward a more ethical and sustainable framework.
Jamel Debbouze
More than just a celebrated comedian, Jamel Debbouze has long used his art to challenge cultural stereotypes and bring diverse audiences together. His creative work often underscores messages of tolerance, coexistence, and pride in multicultural identity.
Féris Barkat
In the heart of France’s suburbs, Féris Barkat launched Banlieue Climat to connect marginalized youth with climate activism. His approach blends ecology and social equity, showing that environmental justice must include voices from underrepresented communities.
Jean-Guy Henckel
Social inclusion takes root - quite literally - on the farms of the Réseau Cocagne. Founded by this seasoned changemaker, the network offers employment and dignity to individuals far from the labor market, using sustainable agriculture as a springboard for reintegration. His model stands as a testament to how land, labor, and solidarity can intertwine for common good.
Céline Mas
With a background in communication and sociology, Céline Mas heads UN Women France, amplifying the voices of women and advocating for policies that promote gender equity. Her leadership merges grassroots activism with institutional change, supporting programs that combat inequality and gender-based violence.
Cristina Lunghi
Through Arborus and the GEEIS (Gender Equality European & International Standard) label, Cristina Lunghi has transformed the way organizations approach gender balance. Her work provides measurable frameworks for companies to create inclusive workspaces, influencing corporate cultures across Europe and beyond.
Arthur Auboeuf
Co-founder of Team for the Planet, Arthur Auboeuf believes climate change solutions must be collective. His platform allows everyday citizens to co-invest in open-source climate innovations, democratizing environmental impact and forging a model of shared responsibility that spans across borders and industries.
Fréderic Mazzella
Paving the way for a low-carbon future, Fréderic Mazzella, the founder of BlaBlaCar introduced a carpooling revolution that brought millions into shared, eco-friendly travel. Now focused on broadening the scope of digital platforms for social good, he promotes a model where innovation, environmental responsibility, and solidarity can co-exist—and flourish—within the tech economy.
Alizée Lozac’hmeur
At the heart of MakeSense lies a vision for citizen-powered change, brought to life by a leader who believes in the strength of communities. Through immersive programs, social business incubators, and civic mobilization efforts, Alizée Lozac’hmeur supports local and global actors in creating innovative responses to climate, social justice, and economic challenges—fostering real-world impact through shared purpose.
Eva Sadou
Bridging the gap between finance and ethics, Eva Sadou has built platforms like LITA.co and RIFT to empower individuals to invest in companies aligned with their values. Advocating for transparency and democratic participation in finance, her work opens new pathways for socially responsible investing while challenging the traditional profit-driven paradigms of the financial sector.
Claire Nouvian
Few environmental battles have been as driven or as effective as those led by the founder of the NGO BLOOM, Claire Nouvian.. Her campaigns have succeeded in influencing EU policy on bottom trawling and marine protection, combining scientific rigor with bold activism. Awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, she remains a pivotal force in defending the biodiversity of our oceans from industrial overreach.
Mamadou Dembele
Through storytelling and social media, Mamadou Dembélé turns abstract concepts into relatable calls to action. By highlighting grassroots changemakers and sustainable innovations, he builds a positive narrative around ecological transition—mobilizing a new generation to see environmental action not as sacrifice, but as opportunity.
Anne-cécile Mailfert
As the driving force behind the Fondation des Femmes, Anne-Cécile Mailfert has been a pivotal figure in France’s modern feminist movement. Her work centers on fighting gender-based violence and supporting women's rights through legal, financial, and political means. Under her leadership, the foundation has empowered countless grassroots initiatives and shaped national debates on equality.
Camille Etienne
With a fierce determination to safeguard the planet’s most vulnerable ecosystems, this young environmental advocate has taken a leading role in the fight against deep-sea mining. By spotlighting the irreversible damage such industrial practices could inflict, Camille Etienne mobilizes youth movements, policymakers, and international coalitions to uphold oceanic integrity and promote sustainable resource management.
African Peace Heroes
Amilcar Cabral
Amílcar Cabral a theorist and strategist of the anti-colonial struggle, Amílcar Cabral led the independence movement of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde. He advocated for an approach based on education and consciousness-raising rather than unnecessary violence. His assassination in 1973 did not prevent Guinea-Bissau from gaining independence shortly after his death.
Amina J. Mohammed
Amina J. Mohammed is the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving as an advocate for sustainable development and women’s rights. She has been instrumental in advancing the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A former Minister of Environment in Nigeria, she has played a key role in advocating for climate change action and social justice on a global scale.
Desmond Tutu
Archbishop and human rights activist, Desmond Tutu played a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. As chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he advocated for restorative justice and forgiveness after the end of the segregationist regime. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1984, he remained a champion of the oppressed until his death in 2021.
Alpha Oumar Konare
Former president of Mali (1992-2002), Alpha Oumar Konaré made history by consolidating democracy and advocating for peace in West Africa. He later chaired the African Union Commission (2003-2008), playing a major role in conflict mediation across the continent. His commitment to African integration and good governance solidified his role as a key figure in African diplomacy.
Goodluck Jonathan
President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, Goodluck Jonathan made history by peacefully accepting election results and handing over power to his successor. His actions helped prevent a political crisis and strengthened democracy in the country. Since leaving office, he has been involved in mediating conflicts across Africa.
Ken Saro-Wiwa
Ken Saro-Wiwa, a writer and environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa denounced the pollution caused by oil extraction in the Niger Delta. A pacifist, he defended the rights of indigenous people against multinational corporations. His execution in 1995 by the Nigerian military regime sparked global outrage and strengthened the fight for environmental justice in Africa.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas
A distinguished diplomat, Mohamed Ibn Chambas has made significant contributions to peace efforts in Africa, particularly in the West African region. Serving as the United Nations Special Representative for West Africa, he played a vital role in peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and promoting democracy. His work in various international diplomatic positions continues to have a lasting impact on the continent’s peace and stability.
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah leader of Ghana’s independence in 1957, Kwame Nkrumah was a strong advocate for Pan-Africanism and African unity. As Ghana’s first president, he worked toward the decolonization of the continent and the creation of Pan-African institutions. His efforts contributed to the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union.
Denis Mukwege
Denis Mukwege (DR Congo). A gynecologist and women’s rights activist, Denis Mukwege treats victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His fight against the use of rape as a weapon of war earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018. His work has raised global awareness about the need to protect women in conflict zones.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Africa’s first elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led Liberia from 2006 to 2018, after years of civil war. Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2011, she worked toward national reconciliation, rebuilding the country, and promoting women’s rights. Her leadership helped stabilize Liberia and attract international investments for development.
Graça Machel
A women’s rights and education activist, Graça Machel dedicated her life to improving the conditions of children and women in Africa. She was the First Lady of Mozambique before becoming the wife of Nelson Mandela. Machel is also a key figure in promoting children’s rights globally and played a major role in the establishment of UNICEF.
Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan as UN Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006, Kofi Annan worked tirelessly for global diplomacy and human rights. In 2001, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to strengthen international cooperation. He played a crucial role in resolving conflicts in Africa and promoting the Millennium Development Goals.
Mariama Bâ
Mariama Bâ, a writer and feminist activist, Mariama Bâ used literature to expose social injustices and gender inequalities. Her novel So Long a Letter is a landmark work of African feminism, advocating for women’s empowerment through education and awareness. Her work has contributed to advancing discussions on women’s rights and social peace in Africa.
Patrice Lulumba
As the first prime minister of independent Congo in 1960, Patrice Lumumba became a symbol of African resistance to colonialism and imperialism. His leadership was tragically cut short when he was assassinated later that year. Despite his brief tenure, Lumumba’s vision for a free, united, and self-sufficient Africa continues to inspire African liberation movements.
Wangari Maathai
The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which led to the planting of millions of trees to combat deforestation and environmental degradation in Africa. A women's rights and peace activist, she also worked to promote democracy and human rights in Kenya and beyond. Her legacy remains a model for environmental and social activism.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela a symbol of the fight against apartheid, Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. His commitment to national reconciliation helped prevent a civil war and laid the foundation for a multiracial democracy. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, he advocated for tolerance and forgiveness, becoming a universal icon of peace and justice.
Indigenous Peace Heroes of Brazil
Ailton Krenak
Indigenous leader, environmentalist and writer, belonging to the Krenak people. He founded the Núcleo de Cultura Indígena organisation to promote indigenous culture. Since 1980, he has dedicated himself to the protection of indigenous peoples and the environment. He is very important for his participation in the elaboration of the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 as a representative of Indigenous peoples. During one of the sessions, while speaking from the podium, he painted his face with black jenipappo paint, in keeping with traditional Brazilian indigenous custom, to protest what he saw as a step backwards in the fight for Brazilian Indigenous rights.
Cristine Takuá
Indigenous writer, philosopher, educator and artisan belonging to the Maxacali ethnic group. She is a member of the Guarani Yvyrupa Commission (CGY), an indigenous organisation founded in 2006 that brings together Guarani groups from the south and south-east of Brazil engaged in territorial struggles. She is also the founder of the Forum for the Articulation of Indigenous Teachers of São Paulo and a representative of the Indigenous Education Centre of the São Paulo State Department of Education.
Daniel Munduruku
Indigenous author and educator from the Munduruku indigenous people. He promotes traditional indigenous stories through the children’s books he writes, and is involved in many organizations that promote the culture and literature of Brazil’s indigenous peoples.
Hamangaí Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe
Indigenous woman of mixed heritage, descendant from both the Pataxó Hã-Hã-Hãe people and the Terena people. She is an activist that highlights the importance of preserving nature and aims to motivate young indigenous people like her to continue their duty of protecting it. She has participated in many conferences where she promoted her goal of continuing the work of her ancestors.
Sonia Ará Mirim
Sonia Ará Mirim is a descendant of the Xukuru-Kariri people of the Northeast, but she was adopted by the Guarani of São Paulo and became an indigenous leader of the Guarani Mbya. An environmentalist and defender of indigenous rights, Sonia Ará Mirim formed a group of forest firefighters to fight fires in the Jaraguá region, one of the few areas of Atlantic Forest left in the state of São Paulo. In January 2020, she led the resistance movement against the Tenda construction company, which wanted to build a five-building luxury development on land adjacent to the Jaraguá Indians’ land, where 700 Guarani live.
Joênia Wapichana (Wapixana)
Brazil’s first indigenous lawyer, she is a member of the Wapixana tribe of Brazil and the current president of the National Commission for the Defense of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She worked on the demarcation of the Raposa do Sol indigenous reserve in Roraima, Brazil, as well as in the legal department of the Indigenous Council of Roraima, defending the rights of indigenous peoples to own their land in the Northern region of Brazil. She fights against the expansion of illegal gold mining in the Amazon. In 2018 she was awarded with the UN Prize in the field of Human Rights.
Célia Xakriabá
Indigenous educator and activist from the Xakriabá of Brazil, campaigning for the rights and status of indigenous women, endangered Indigenous languages and for the demarcation of indigenous land. She has denounced the systemic racism that people like her face in society for being indigenous and talked about the importance of preserving her community’s territory.
Daiara Tukano
Indigenous activist and artist, descendant of the Tukano people from the Rio Negro in Amazonas, on the border between Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. She has Master’s degree in Human Rights and she researched the right of memory and truth for indigenous peoples. Her role as an activist goes hand in hand with her profession as an artist as she explores her culture and its history through her art, bringing awareness to it.
Davi Kopenawa
Shaman,eco-activist and spokesman for the indigenous Yanomami community of Brazil. He advocates for the conservation of nature and the environment on a global scale. He brought awareness to the suffering of the Yanomami in Brazil caused by illegal gold miners and fought for the recognition of the areas inhabited by the Yanomami, which were eventually recognized by the Brazilian government. He won many awards, notably the UN Global 500 award in 1989.
Jacir de Souza Macuxi
Belonging to the Macuxi people of Brazil, he is one of the main defenders of the recognition of the Raposa Serra do Sol indigenous territory in the state of Roraima. He united all the tuxauas (chiefs) in the region to help community leaders fight against the advancin mining operations on indigenous land. His actions succeeded and led to several indigenous communities joining the initiative which resulted in the creation of the Indigenous Council of Roraima to defend the rights of the indigenous peoples of Roraima.
Raoni Metuktire (or Ropni)
He is an Indigenous Brazilian leader and chief belonging to the Kayapó (or caiapó) ethnic group from the Krajmopyjakare village in north-eastern Mato Grosso. He is an environmentalist known for his fight for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and indigenous culture. His actions led to the creation of the Rainforest Foundation to protect Indigenous territory and they successfully paved the way for the demarcation of large indigenous lands in the country. Raoni was nominated in 2020 for the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong defence of the forest.
Sonia Guajajara
Activist and leader of the Guajajara people, Sonia Guajajara has been one of the most important figures in the indigenous struggle in recent years. A native of Maranhão in Brazil, she has made a career out of defending indigenous rights, particularly in the area of land demarcation and conservation of the Amazon. In 2023, she became Brazil’s first Minister for Indigenous Peoples.