Jennifer Robinson to be awarded the 2026 Sydney Peace Prize
The Sydney Peace Foundation has today announced that Jennifer Robinson will be awarded the 2026 Sydney Peace Prize, “in recognition of her outstanding global contribution to human rights, justice, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.”
The Sydney Peace Prize is Australia’s international prize for peace, awarded by the Sydney Peace Foundation. The Prize recognises leading global voices that promote peace, justice and nonviolence. Laureates include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mary Robinson, Professor Joseph Stiglitz, Judge Navi Pillay and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The Sydney Peace Prize jury selected Jennifer Robinson “for her commitment to international law and her dedication to upholding and promoting human rights including free speech, press freedom, and gender and climate justice”.
In announcing the award, the Sydney Peace Foundation noted that Ms Robinson “has fearlessly defended human rights in some of the most significant legal cases worldwide”.
The Foundation cited Ms Robinson’s work securing the release of Julian Assange in 2024, her long-standing work for the people of West Papua, her advocacy for public education, her work in climate litigation, including securing the historic ruling from the International Court of Justice advisory opinion on states’ obligations in respect of climate change (Ms Robinson acted for the lead state, Vanuatu), and her advocacy for women’s rights, including through her book co-authored with Keio Yoshida, How Many More Women (Aus/NZ) and Silenced Women (UK), which has been made into a feature documentary Silenced, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2026.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor and Sydney Peace Foundation Patron, Clover Moore said:
Jennifer Robinson’s fearless defence of human rights and international law shows that even in the face of powerful opposition, justice can prevail. From defending press freedom in one of the most significant free speech cases of our time to advancing climate justice on the world stage, Jennifer has consistently stood with those whose voices are too often silenced. At a time when democratic norms and international law are under increasing pressure, her work offers both clarity and hope that the rule of law remains one of our strongest tools for building a fairer world and that principled advocacy can change the course of history.
As Australia’s only international award for peace, the Sydney Peace Prize recognises those who make a profound contribution to justice and equality, and this year’s laureate exemplifies that mission in every sense. The City of Sydney is honoured join with the Sydney Peace Foundation in recognising her remarkable contribution to human rights and gender justice.
Melanie Morrison, Executive Director of the Sydney Peace Foundation, said:
Jennifer Robinson demonstrates the power of international law in advancing peace with justice. Through her many and varied human rights achievements, her deeply compassionate advocacy for justice, and her commitment to holding powerful institutions and individuals to account, she exemplifies the values at the heart of the Sydney Peace Prize.
Ms Robinson will be formally awarded the Sydney Peace Prize on Thursday, 12 November 2026 at the Sydney Town Hall.
The Sydney Peace Foundation press release is available here and media coverage here:
