HAF President Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir Receives Peace Corps’ 2026 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service
The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is proud to announce that its President, Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, received the 2026 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service during a ceremony held in the Washington, D.C., on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Named in honor of Ambassador Sargent Shriver, founder of the Peace Corps and a lifelong advocate for public service, the award recognizes individuals whose humanitarian leadership reflects a deep commitment to empowering communities, fostering partnerships, and creating lasting social impact.
Dr. Ben-Meir was recognized for more than three decades of advancing participatory, community-led development in Morocco. A Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Morocco from 1993 to 1995, and later Associate Peace Corps Director, Dr. Ben-Meir co-founded the High Atlas Foundation in 2000 with the conviction that sustainable development is most effective when communities themselves identify, prioritize, and lead their own initiatives. Over the past twenty-five years, that vision has guided the Foundation's work in partnership with communities throughout Morocco.
Under Dr. Ben-Meir's leadership, HAF has grown into a nationally recognized organization, supporting community-led initiatives in sustainable agriculture, education, clean water, women's empowerment, health, environmental conservation, and disaster recovery. Together with local communities and partners, these efforts have benefited approximately 300,000 people, supported the planting of more than six million fruit trees with 35,000 farming families, expanded access to clean drinking water for more than 33,000 people, and helped communities recover and rebuild following the devastating 2023 earthquake.
While this award recognizes Dr. Ben-Meir's vision and leadership, it also honors the resilience, dedication, and leadership of the communities that have shaped every milestone along the way. HAF also recognizes the invaluable contributions of its staff, public institutions, civil society organizations, volunteers, donors, and partners whose collaboration has made this work possible.
This award celebrates not only a lifetime of service, but also the enduring power of community leadership and partnership to create lasting social, economic, and environmental impact.
###
About High Atlas Foundation:
HAF is a non-profit organization focused on sustainable development in Morocco. Through a variety of programs, including environmental conservation, water infrastructure and Women's empowerment, HAF works to improve the lives of rural communities and promote a sustainable future