Michael Kirby Award

Key Details of the Award

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​Purpose: To celebrate advocacy that fosters social cohesion, interfaith/intercultural dialogue, and the protection of vulnerable communities—particularly those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Indigenous backgrounds.​

 

Founder: The award was initiated by Sawathey Ek OAM, the Founder and CEO.​

 

Inaugural Recipient: The first-ever MKA was awarded to Aiden Ek at NSW Parliament House.​

 

Patronage: The award is closely linked to the network's mission, which is supported by high-level legal figures. Notably, Justice James Edelman (a sitting justice of the High Court of Australia) serves as the Honorary Patron of the Network.

A motion was passed by the NSW Legislative Council to recognise MKA.​

 

Significance of the Name​: Choosing Michael Kirby as the namesake is highly symbolic for the Southeast Asian community in Australia. Kirby’s work in Cambodia during the 1990s and his lifelong advocacy for the rule of law make him a foundational figure for the diaspora groups (Cambodian, Vietnamese, Laotian, etc.) that Sawathey Ek represents.​

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Honorary Recipients & Leaders:​ The award ceremony also involves "Honorary Recipients" and guests who are eminent leaders in the field of human rights. Recent participants and honorary figures include:​

 

Professor Sev Ozdowski AM (Former Human Rights Commissioner)

Hugh de Kretser (President of the Australian Human Rights Commission)