Mines Advisory Group Awarded 2025 Hilton Humanitarian Prize
Today, the Conrad N. Hilton Memorial foundation awarded Mines Advisory Group (MAG) the 2025 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. The $3 million Prize, presented to organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to alleviate human suffering, is the world’s largest annual humanitarian award. Since 2004, Steve Solow has served as outside pro bono counsel to MAG US, which supports the efforts of the UK-based organization to save lives and build safer futures for people and communities impacted by conflict and armed violence around the world. MAG has helped over 23 million people in 70 countries rebuild their lives after war since its founding in 1989. In 1997, MAG shared the Nobel Peace Prize for its role in banning landmines.
In the Foundation’s press release, President and CEO Peter Laugharn remarked that MAG’s recognition “serves as a reminder that compassion and peace should still be at the top of our global agenda.” MAG, he said, “exemplifies the kind of humanitarian excellence our Prize has sought to celebrate and inspire over the last three decades.”
Darren Cormack, CEO of MAG, said in MAG’s press release: “We’re honoured to receive the Hilton Humanitarian Prize in recognition of the tireless and courageous work of our global staff. Our hope is that this spotlight can help underscore the fundamental human right to live free from the fear of landmines and armed violence. Every landmine cleared is a life saved, a community restored, and a future reclaimed.”
Shari Bryan, Executive Director of MAG US, noted that “as levels of conflict rise across the world and as several countries have expressed intent to exit the Ottawa Treaty amidst escalating conflict in Eastern Europe, our work has never been more important.”
MAG operates in more than 30 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe, including Ukraine, Gaza, Iraq, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Angola. Thousands of dedicated global staff identify and destroy landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war; deliver risk education; destroy and secure weapons and ammunition; help communities recover from conflict; work to bring about meaningful policy change at all levels; and conduct other activities that limit the causes and address the consequences of conflict and armed violence.
“Playing a role – even a small one – in helping the people of MAG carry out their critical peacebuilding mission over the last 20 years has been one of the most meaningful professional experiences of my life,” said Steve.
As outside counsel, he coordinates the work of several US law firms on behalf of the MAG US Executive Director and staff, and provides advice and counsel to the MAG US Board of Directors. In addition, Steve works with MAG’s UK counsel on internal investigations, governance, and sustainability efforts. As part of his work, he has been to MAG field operations in Lebanon and Vietnam.
