Laureates 2008

Amos Oz

Amos Oz, one of the most widely read Israeli writers in the world, has published numerous novels, novellas, short stories, essays, and occasionally even poetry. His writing spans five decades, and has earned him many outstanding Israeli and international prizes.

Several of his works deal with the pre-state period in Israel, when Palestine was governed by the British mandate. They represent the atmosphere and mood of that uncertain era as a

Atom Egoyan

Atom Egoyan, an Officer of the Order of Canada, is a critically acclaimed and prize winning Canadian-Armenian film maker (director, screenplay writer, editor), who has directed feature, television and documentary films. For The Sweet Hereafter (1997) he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. His work often explores themes of alienation and isolation, typically set in contemporary situations and social contexts. Hints of his

Sir Tom Stoppard

Tom Stoppard established himself as one of the few undisputed masters of the modern stage in 1966 with "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead". Often challenging the prevailing intellectual and political views, he has insisted on the need to affirm absolute values. Language is slippery, philosophy is elusive, science often baffling - but in Stoppard's world there is a pervasive faith in goodness, beauty and love.

Al Gore

Al Gore is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide awareness of the detrimental effects that man's energy consumption has had on the environment, and the imperative for individuals and governments to take drastic action to avert climatic disaster.

Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie G. Thompson

Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson, Professors at the Ohio State University, USA, are a scientific team, each providing an important contribution to the final product. Together, as a team, they have authored 150 papers using materials preserved in ice cores from Antarctica to

Geoffrey Eglinton (November 1927 – March 2016)

Geoffrey Eglinton was Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Fellow in Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol, UK, Adjunct Scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts, US, and Visiting Professor at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, US.