07 November 2008 Former World ORT president wins international award Justice Richard Goldstone, who was president of World ORT between 1997 and 2004, has been honoured with the MacArthur Award for International Justice. In announcing the award, the $7 billion John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation cited Justice Goldstones pivotal involvement in the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia as well as his chairmanship of South Africas post-apartheid Commission of Inquiry Regarding Public Violence and Intimidation. His clarity of vision and meticulous approach to justice had brought both a degree of resolution for victims and a new model for the prosecution of crimes against humanity, the Foundations Board of Directors said. Justice Goldstone, a past president of ORT South Africa, said it was an honour to receive the award because of the MacArthur Foundations leadership in promoting human rights and international justice. It gives me tremendous pride and satisfaction to have played a role in ensuring that the perpetrators of mass atrocities have more reason today than ever to fear being brought to justice, he said. World ORT Director General Robert Singer congratulated Justice Goldstone on behalf of the organisations Officers and staff. Your contribution towards tolerance and non-violence is unprecedented as is the personal role you have played in the advancement of international justice, Mr Singer wrote. The global community is indebted to you for your vision and dedication and World ORT and the ORT family worldwide are proud that you served as President of our organisation and that you have been involved for so many years. Martin Behr, a past chairman of ORT South Africa and currently Vice-Chairman of World ORTs Board of Trustees, has known Justice Goldstone for many years. All of us at ORT South Africa, both as friends and colleagues, are immensely proud of Richard and all he has achieved at ORT and as an international jurist and for human rights, Mr Behr said, noting how Justice Goldstones voluntary work for ORT and his professional endeavours complemented each other, both of them displaying a commitment to the righting of the human condition. The MacArthur Award provides Justice Goldstone with $100,000 for his own work and invites him to suggest an additional $500,000 in support for non-profit organisations working on international justice issues. MacArthur Foundation President Jonathan Fanton said Justice Goldstone had played an instrumental role in building the emerging international system of justice. He gave the [International Criminal Tribunals] moral authority and legal credibility, Mr Fenton said. It is, in large part, a testament to the quality of his work that the international community accepted the Rome Statute and established the International Criminal Court with confidence. His unquestioned competence and integrity won the faith of the world.