Thailand Footprint is pleased to pass on information about a new award to be presented by the Christopher G. Moore Foundation. The Foundation would welcome the nomination of books (non-fiction) published in 2016 that they believe advance an awareness and understanding of human rights issues. See link for additional information: http://www.cgmoorefoundation.com/contact .

The initial award will be presented during the second Edge Festival. Tentative dates for the Bangkok Edge Festival are 18th and 19th of February 2017. http://www.bangkokriver.com/th/event/bangkok-edge-2/

Christopher G. Moore

Photo by Alasdair McLeod

See the complete Press Release below:

PRESS RELEASE – New Award to Recognise Writing on Human Rights The Christopher G. Moore Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of a new literary prize honouring books that contribute to the understanding and universality of human rights. This unique initiative will be awarded annually, as chosen by a panel of judges whose own work focuses on human rights. The inaugural 2016 Moore Prize will recognise books first published between September 1 st 2015 and August 31 st 2016. This is an international prize and open to authors worldwide. The Prize is open to any non-fiction work, published in English, that promotes the values of human rights. Entry is free and works may be submitted directly by the author(s) or through a publisher. The winner of the prize will receive £1,000 and will be announced on February 18th at the 2017 Bangkok Edge Festival. The 2016 jury is comprised of M. R. Narisa Chakrabongse, founder of River Books and the Bangkok Edge Festival, author and journalist Basharat Peer, and award-winning human rights activist and writer Dr. Ma Thida. Submissions must be received on or before September 30 st 2016 to be eligible. Full details of books that have been longlisted, shortlisted and the award winners will be published on the Foundation website. Christopher G. Moore, Prize founder, said: “My goal is to recognize the literary work that, in a given year, showcases the problems inherent in the struggle to advance human rights, freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly. Books remain one of the best means to alert us to potential dangers to our liberties and freedoms in a technologically advanced age.” ***Quotes from judges Contacts: For all media inquiries please contact Foundation director Daniel Vaver at 02036026875 or dv@cgmoorefoundation.com For more information on the Prize and the Foundation, please visit http://www.cgmoorefoundation.com Notes to Editors: 1. The Christopher G. Moore Foundation and Moore Prize are named after Christopher G. Moore, the Canadian novelist and essayist best known for his Calvino series of detective novels. He has also written several non-fiction works and edited anthologies of essays discussing human rights, freedom of speech and censorship. 2. The Christopher G. Moore Foundation is a registered UK charity dedicated to supporting authors who promote human rights and monitor its infringements. 3. The 2016 Jury: M. R. Narisa Chakrabongse is the founder and CEO of River Books and founder/director Bangkok Edge Ideas Festival. She has co-written several books on Thai history and is the founding president of the Green World Foundation, promoting awareness of environmental issues in schools. Basharat Peer is a Kashmiri author and journalist. His account of the conflict in Kashmir, Curfewed Night, won the Crossword Prize for Non-fiction and was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award. He co-wrote the script to Haider, the critically-acclaimed adaptation of Hamlet set in Kashmir. He is a frequent contributor to the New Yorker, the New York Times and the Guardian. Dr Ma Thida is a Burmese author, surgeon and former political prisoner. Her notable published works include The Sunflower, The Roadmap and Sanchaung, Insein, Harvard. She is the recipient of the Reebok Human Rights Award and the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Dr Ma was a fellow at Brown University and Harvard Universities. She is the president of PEN Myanmar. 4. The Christopher G. Moore Foundation Trustees are Daniel Vaver and Christopher G. Moore. 5. Bangkok Edge (www.bangkokedge.com) is an annual festival of ideas, set in the heart of Old Bangkok. It was created in 2016 by M. R. Narisa Chakrabongse and is the premier event for bringing together readers and celebrated authors in the region and beyond. The 2017 Festival takes place on 4 & 5 February, and will feature literature, film, music, food, discussions, workshops, exhibitions and family events. 6. The longlist will be announced on November 31 st 2016 and the shortlist will be announced on January 23 rd 2017. The winner will be announced on February 18th th 2017. . To contact the Foundation via social media, please use http://www.facebook.com/cgmoorefoundation or http://www.twitter.com/cgmfoundation