Martin Griffiths, Executive Director of the European Institute of Peace, presented the inaugural European Institute of Peace Prize to Baroness Elizabeth Smith of Gilmorehill at the Beyond Borders International Festival of Literature and Thought at Traquair House on Sunday, August 23.

The European Institute of Peace Prize is awarded in recognition of an outstanding and on-going contribution in the field of diplomatic and cultural relations. This inaugural Prize was presented to Baroness Smith – Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, President of Scottish Opera and widow of former Labour Party Leader John Smith – to honour her exceptional commitment to the arts, and to fostering cultural links between Russia and Scotland.

Artist and founder of the 369 Gallery Andrew Brown, commented, “If anyone deserves an award for cultural diplomacy, it’s Elizabeth Smith. […] For Russia, it was extraordinary. She was the first person to bring the East and West together in that way in the 1980s.”

Mr Griffiths presented the prize following a Beyond Borders International Festival panel – chaired by BBC reporter Sarah Smith, – entitled ‘What is Europe?’ This session also featured Mr Griffiths as well as Professor Erik Berglöf, Dr Oscar Guardiola-Rivera and Alyn Smith MEP as they debated the answer to this complex question.

Mr Griffiths is a senior international mediator and the first Executive Director of the European Institute of Peace. From 1991 to 2010 he was the founding Director of the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva and served as Deputy Head of the UN Supervisory Mission in Syria from 2012 – 2014.

The European Institute of Peace (EIP) is a new initiative at the heart of Europe with a global scope. The EIP is an independent partner to the European Union and Europe, augmenting its global peace agenda through mediation and informal dialogue. The Institute pursues multi-track diplomacy and acts as a flexible, external tool in support of EU mediation efforts where the EU has limited freedom to act. It also serves as an operational hub; connecting existing expertise and sharing knowledge on European mediation.

Beyond Borders Scotlandis a Scottish based initiative dedicated to fostering peace and greater understanding between peoples, small nations and different cultures from around the world. Beyond Bordersworks across a variety of mediums such as literature, film, the visual and performing arts, heritage and the rule of law. They run a series of cultural and dialogue programmes both at home and abroad, culminating each August with our summer festivals – including the International Festival of Literature and Thought – held both in Edinburgh and at Traquair House in the Scottish Borders.

For further information about the European Institute of Peace, visit www.eip.org

For more information about the Beyond Borders Scotland, visit www.beyondbordersscotland.com