Shawky Fahel is Awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal
The Board of Directors for the Canadian International Development Organization congratulate its founder and Chair, Shawky Fahel on being awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Canadian Senator, the Honourable Mohammad Al Zaibak, nominated Fahel and announced the award in January 2025. The presentation of the Medal will take place on April 3, 2025, in the Senate Chambers on Parliament Hill, Ottawa.
Fahel is recognized for his leadership within the Canadian International Development Organization (CIDO) and his focus on supporting education, peace and health initiatives in Canada and the Middle East, particularly Palestine.
“This accolade is a testament to Shawky Fahel’s remarkable dedication to his community and his unwavering efforts to make a difference”, said Senator Zaibak. “As the Founder and Chair of CIDO, his contributions have been nothing short of transformative, not only in Canada but internationally.”
“Shawky Fahel, a Palestinian born in the State of Israel shortly after the war that established that state. As a child of five, he experienced another war in 1956 and another 11 years later,” said Dr. John English, a Director of CIDO and a former MP for Kitchener Centre. “With his own experiences in mind, he established CIDO with its emphasis on helping children, the young, and the sick in Palestine and Canada. He has been a consistent voice for peace and for protecting the young, particularly Palestinian children who suffer in war or its aftermath”.