A noted defender of humanity

Avi Abraham Benlolo is widely recognized as the nation's leading expert in Holocaust studies, human rights and advocacy against Antisemitism and discrimination. 

He is the Founding Chairman & CEO of Canada's leading international human rights NGO, The Abraham Global Peace Initiative. His high-powered board includes a number of current and former members of parliament; senators, many leaders in business, medicine, law,  policing, military and human rights - hailing from all backgrounds and religions.   

During his 30 year career in the Jewish community mainly, he received a Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) from University of Haifa for "outstanding accomplishments in support of Holocaust education and combating antisemitism".  Additionally, "In recognition of contributions to Equity and Diversity" he received The Order of Vaughan; By command of Her Majesty The Queen, he received the Diamond Jubilee Medal "in recognition of his contributions to Canada"; and for tolerance training programs he was given the Canadian Race Relations Award.    

Currently, he serves on the City of Vaughan's Diversity Task Force and having also been appointed to globally recognized Imam Global Council's Interfaith network.   

He earned an Honours BA and M.A. and is partly through his Ph.D. with an academic focus in Holocaust and genocide studies  

As the founding President and CEO of the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, he projected his high level of experience working with parliament, the Senate and provincial and city legislative bodies. He has been called upon by various parliamentary committees for testimony and expertise; has worked closely with political leaders on legislative pieces and has carefully monitored and advised in this field.  

Over the years, he has been called upon by government to testify on hate on the internet; rising threat of terrorism and increasing Antisemitism. In both Toronto and Vaughan, he was responsible for motivating the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.   

He is the visionary and creator of numerous nationally recognized award winning programs that have educated over 500,000 students and professionals.  He is the creator of programs like The Tour for Humanity; Freedom Day; Compassion to Action; Speakers Idol; The Spirit of Hope Benefit and countless policy advancement programs in the area of human rights.   

His philanthropic activity has raised over $150 million to champion humanity, and have brought together thousands of people through galas and events.  He has worked with numerous world leaders like Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Shimon Peres, Stephen Harper, Brian Mulroney, David Cameron, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ehud Barak, John Howard and including Nikki Haley, Henry Kissinger, Elie Wiesel, Natan Sharansky and many others.  

As a recognized media personality he is  sought after for his expertise in Holocaust studies, Antisemitism, the Middle East, Genocide, racism and discrimination. For over over 20 years, he published hundreds of articles in Canadian and international media on issues concerning foreign policy, multiculturalism, security, global stability and human rights, among others. Currently, he also has a weekly column in the National Post.   

Mr. Benlolo is adept to diplomacy and working with politicians, ambassadors and dignitaries. He has met with Prime Ministers and Presidents; have collaborated with diplomats and politicians and have worked closely on developing interfaith approaches across the country.    

Among his career highlights is Chairing 10 educational missions to Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Ukraine and Israel to the death camps including Auschwitz. This allowed me to create a national network of contacts from coast to coast.   

In his current role with The Abraham Global Peace Initiative, he continues to advance human rights through our educators and social activists.  He launched education programs across Canada, including The Power of One exhibit - which has now been featured with the RCMP, OPP and Toronto, Halton, Vancouver and Edmonton. We recently honoured Ambassador Bob Rae in New York and have met with Canadian Ambassadors in Israel, Morocco and Argentina - as he continues to promote this work internationally.