NPC mourns death of Dr. Norbert Ropers

The National Peace Council yesterday (08) issued the following statement on the passing away of Dr. Norbert Ropers: “We mourn the passing of Dr. Norbert Ropers, a visionary peacebuilder, trusted friend, and devoted practitioner of nonviolence, whose profound commitment to dialogue and reconciliation helped shape more humane and inclusive futures across divided societies. His work, especially in Sri Lanka, left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals and communities striving for justice and peace.

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Born in Germany in 1946, Norbert’s journey as a peace researcher, educator, and practitioner was rooted in a deep belief in the transformative power of nonviolence. He was a founding figure in the field of conflict transformation in Europe, and his early work with the Berghof Foundation for Conflict Studies laid the groundwork for innovative approaches to addressing deep-rooted conflict.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to peace and dialogue, Dr. Ropers was awarded the Olof Palme Peace Prize in 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious honours in the field of human rights and conflict resolution. The award citation praised him as "a steadfast advocate for inclusive peacebuilding, who brought together adversaries with patience, courage, and trust.”

This accolade was a fitting tribute to a life devoted to building bridges across divides and is one of the world’s most prestigious honours in the field of human rights and conflict resolution.