HRH King Ruben West Presents Voice of Change Award to Former Mauritius President Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

HRH King Dr. Ruben M. West presents former Mauritian president with the iChange Nations™ Ruben M. West Global Voice of Change Award in Victoria Falls

VICTORIA FALLS, ILLINOIS, ZIMBABWE, August 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Her Excellency Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Republic of Mauritius, received three distinguished international honors at the iChange Nations™ Global Leadership and Humanitarian Awards on July 21, 2026, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The ceremony brought together royalty, diplomats, humanitarian leaders, educators, government officials, business executives, and community advocates from across Africa and the international community. The gathering celebrated individuals whose leadership exemplifies service, compassion, civility, and measurable social impact.

During the ceremony, HRH King Dr. Ruben M. West of the United States presented Dr. Gurib-Fakim with the iChange Nations™ Ruben M. West Global Voice of Change Award.

The award recognizes influential leaders who use their voices, positions and public platforms to advocate for people in need, address injustice, expand opportunity and empower communities that are too often overlooked or unheard.

“Her Excellency Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has consistently used her voice to elevate humanity, advance scientific excellence, and expand opportunities for women and girls,” King Dr. West said. “She embodies the courage, influence, and compassionate leadership that define a true global voice of change.”

Dr. Gurib-Fakim is internationally respected for her leadership in science, education, research, innovation, and sustainable development. As the first woman to serve as President of Mauritius, she became a prominent symbol of possibility for women and girls across Africa and beyond.

Her scientific and public leadership has helped strengthen conversations about biodiversity, education, environmental stewardship, scientific advancement, and the role of women in leadership.

Three International Honors Presented
In addition to receiving the Ruben M. West Global Voice of Change Award, Dr. Gurib-Fakim was presented with the Civility Voice Diplomat Global Humanitarian Award by Ambassador Dominic Obadiah of Kenya, a humanitarian diplomat and World Civility Ambassador.

The honor recognized her commitment to principled leadership, humanitarian service, diplomacy, and advancing civility across cultures and nations.

Crowning the evening of recognition, Dr. Gurib-Fakim also received the prestigious iChange Nations™ Woman of the Decade Award.

The Woman of the Decade Award honors women whose sustained leadership, international influence and service have created lasting progress for communities, institutions and future generations. Dr. Gurib-Fakim was recognized for her enduring contributions to science, education, innovation, women’s empowerment and global development.

The Purpose of the Global Voice of Change Award
The Ruben M. West Global Voice of Change Award was established to identify and honor individuals who recognize that influence entails a responsibility to serve.

Recipients are selected for their willingness to speak on behalf of those who may lack access, visibility, or representation. The award recognizes leaders who use communication, advocacy, education, diplomacy, and institutional influence to empower others and promote meaningful change.

The recognition also seeks to encourage a new generation of leaders to move beyond personal achievement and to use their voices to defend dignity, inspire hope, confront harmful systems, and create sustainable pathways to opportunity.

About HRH King Dr. Ruben M. West
HRH King Dr. Ruben M. West is an international humanitarian diplomat, World Civility Ambassador, leadership strategist, and founder of the Global Civility Leadership Institute.

He also serves as a Special Envoy for iChange Nations™, supporting the organization’s global mission to recognize transformational leadership and to strengthen a culture of honor across nations.

Through his international work, King Dr. West collaborates with royal houses, government leaders, educational institutions, humanitarian organizations, entrepreneurs, and community advocates to advance civility, leadership development, diplomacy, and sustainable social transformation.

His work focuses on identifying leaders who are driving meaningful change and connecting them with platforms, partnerships and recognition to expand their impact.

About HRH Dr. Clyde Rivers and iChange Nations™

iChange Nations™ was founded by HRH Dr. Clyde Rivers, an international leader committed to advancing cultures of honor, ethical leadership, and global transformation. Through iChange Nations™, Dr. Rivers has helped establish an international platform that identifies, honors, and connects individuals whose work is improving communities and nations. The organization seeks to transform the world by recognizing people who demonstrate service, integrity, humanitarian leadership, and a commitment to empowering others. iChange Nations™ operates in more than 150 countries and has engaged heads of state, royalty, diplomats, educators, faith leaders, business executives, community advocates, and humanitarian leaders. Its global recognition initiatives are designed not only to celebrate achievement but also to strengthen collaboration among individuals and institutions committed to positive change.
Notable Global Voice of Change Award Recipients

Other notable individuals who received the Ruben M. West Global Voice of Change Award include:
• Her Excellency Graça Machel — International humanitarian, advocate for women and children, and former First Lady of Mozambique and South Africa
• Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa — First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe and founder of the Angel of Hope Foundation
• Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma — Former Chairperson of the African Union Commission and former Cabinet Minister of the Republic of South Africa
• Hon. Sydney Allicock — Former Vice President of Guyana
• Prof. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka — Executive Director, UN-Habitat
• Allen Chastanet — Former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia
• Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba — Kenyan scholar, author and renowned public intellectual
• H.E. Denise Nkurunziza — Former First Lady of Burundi
• H.E. Amb. Prof. Abdul Ghani Yahya — Leader of World Peace
• Les Brown — Renowned motivational speaker, United States
• H.R.H. King Tikoe Tefo Meshack Lekitlane — South Africa
• H.M. Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV — Tooro Kingdom, Uganda

The Victoria Falls ceremony reinforced a central message of the iChange Nations™ movement: leadership is defined not solely by a position, title, or professional achievement, but by the lives one’s influence strengthens. Dr. Gurib-Fakim’s recognition reflects a legacy of leadership that has spanned sectors, elevated women and girls, advanced scientific thought, and inspired people across national and cultural boundaries.

About iChange Nations™
iChange Nations™ is an international culture-of-honor organization dedicated to identifying, recognizing, and connecting individuals whose leadership and service improve communities and nations. The organization promotes civility, humanitarian leadership, global collaboration, and sustainable transformation through awards, diplomatic engagement, leadership development, and strategic partnerships.

About the Global Civility Leadership Institute
The Global Civility Leadership Institute, founded by HRH King Dr. Ruben M. West, advances civility-centered leadership, humanitarian diplomacy, ethical influence, and international collaboration. The institute equips and connects leaders committed to strengthening institutions, empowering communities, and creating sustainable global impact.

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Global Partners & Purpose
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iChange Nations™ and Global Civility Leadership Institute Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Award Ceremony