The first edition of the Award was given in November 2003 to S.S. Tenzin Gyatso, XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet, in Rome, by the President of the Center for International Studies Prof. Antonio Virgili with the following motivation "…for His peaceful fight for liberty and international cooperation, always moved by high values and principles“.

S.S. Tenzin Gyatso receives the Award plaque from CSI President Prof. Antonio Virgili, Rome November 2003