Excerpted from National Catholic Reporter
The Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a UK-based organization devoted to clearing landmines and reducing armed violence, has been awarded the 2025 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’s largest annual humanitarian award for nonprofits. The honor, marking the 30th anniversary of the prize, comes at a time when the global use of landmines and explosive remnants of war is again on the rise.
For MAG, founded in 1989 and active in more than 70 countries, the award is both a celebration and a warning. The organization’s staff of 6,000 — most of them from communities scarred by conflict — continue to work in places where recovery is long and uncertain.
More than 23 million people have benefited from MAG’s efforts since its creation, yet humanitarian needs are growing fast.
Darren Cormack, the organization’s CEO, said the recognition belongs to those working on the ground. In an interview with the National Catholic Reporter, he described feeling “so excited for our staff,” calling it “a privilege to shine a light on them and their contribution and, at times, sacrifice.” For him, the Hilton Prize is a moment to pause briefly before returning to the long, often dangerous work of rebuilding lives.