Utah businessman and former ambassador to Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros, John Price, is among those honored recently by Utah Global Diplomacy. Price received the organization’s highest honor, the Taza Armstrong Peirce Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to educating policymakers, students and the public about Africa’s challenges and opportunities.
Also honored were state Rep. James Dunnigan, who received the Diplomatic Leadership in Governance Award for his dedication to engaging with visiting dignitaries from around the world and strengthening Utah’s global presence; Leonard Bagalwa, founder and executive director of Utah Valley Refugees, who received the Goodwill Ambassador Award for his work in providing essential resources to individuals and families resettling in Utah; and Ruby Vejar, who was given the Young Diplomat of Utah Award for her leadership in the Model United Nations, research on structural inequality and initiatives addressing food insecurity and teen suicide prevention on the Sioux Reservation.
The awards were made in celebration of the second annual Utah Citizen Diplomacy Day to honor individuals for their dedication to fostering international relations and strengthening connections between Utahns and leaders across the globe.
“Now more than ever, we need American citizens committed to building a more free, prosperous and secure world,” said Felecia Maxfield-Barrett, president and CEO of Utah Global Diplomacy. “Through these awards, we recognize the remarkable contributions of volunteer citizen diplomats and celebrate their enduring impact in creating meaningful cross-cultural connections.”
“Through his writings, speeches and advocacy, Ambassador Price has ensured Africa’s significance remains at the forefront of international discussions,” Utah Global Diplomacy said in announcing the award. “His philanthropic contributions, including the John Price Business Building at the University of Utah, highlight his belief in education as a transformative force for future global leaders. His generous support of cultural institutions and public policy initiatives has played a crucial role in strengthening Utah’s global engagement.”
Utah Global Diplomacy is a Salt Lake City-based organization that works to strengthen Utah’s global ties through diplomacy.