Seeds of Peace to present Peacemaker Award to Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan

Seeds of Peace was founded to develop and to empower young leaders from regions of conflict to work towards peace through coexistence and conflict resolution. Ted Koppel will also be honored for his outstanding contribution to journalism. The event will take place at 6pm, New York City on the 7th May, at the Pierre Hotel.

"It is an honor to be presenting one of the world's greatest peacemakers with this award. Her commitment to the Seeds of Peace mission is unparalleled," said Nicolla Hewitt, President of Seeds of Peace. "Her Majesty Queen Rania's commitment to working throughout the Middle East and on the world stage to educate children of conflict and provide opportunities to create peace makes her a worthy recipient."

As an award-winning producer and journalist Nicolla Hewitt brings a unique insight into, and experience in, the Middle East as well as an understanding of international affairs to the role of President, having covered stories of conflict and stories of peace.

Nicolla's long time colleague and CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric, said, "Nicolla has always been passionate about the Middle East and the importance of forging a better understanding between all people in this difficult part of the world. It's no surprise she's taken the helm of Seeds of Peace, as it's a perfect fit for her to achieve these goals."

"What impressed us about Nicolla was her obvious love for the Middle East, and her strong journalistic skills and her desire to make a difference to peoples lives and the lives of the next generation," said Janet Wallach, former President of Seeds of Peace, founded by her husband John Wallach. "I see many of the qualities of my late husband John Wallach in her. Nicolla is someone who never stops thinking or trying to solve a problem, no matter how big the challenge. We know these attributes will make her a great President at Seeds of Peace."

"I can't think of a better role to be in than working with the next generation of leaders and thinkers from some of the most war torn areas of the world, in the pursuit of Peace," said Nicolla Hewitt of her new position. "Seeds of Peace is a globally respected organization which has had a profound impact on the lives of the people it has touched. I plan to build on this powerful legacy and to extend our reach in conflict zones with renewed energy and conviction."

A pioneer in the field of journalism, Nicolla has worked on most major news stories of the last 18 years from international events including Operation Desert Storm and the wars in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan to producing interviews with world leaders most recently for Katie Couric at CBS [NYSE-CBS] with US President George W. Bush, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and President Talabani of Iraq. In 2005 Nicolla was responsible for setting up the first American network news office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for NBC.