It aims to encourage public interest and discussion about issues of peace, social justice, human rights, and non-violent conflict resolution.
This involves a significant financial contribution along with other in-kind support in order to foster peace with justice.
The choice of a non-controversial candidate for a peace prize would be a safe option but unlikely to prompt debate or to increase understanding.
"[3] The foundation also occasionally awards a special gold medal for significant contributions to peace and justice.
Winners of the gold medal include South African statesman Nelson Mandela, 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, Japanese Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda, WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange,[4][3] Costa Rican Christina Figueres and Australian band Midnight Oil.