The lifetime achievements of
Jochem
O.W. Pahl
The Pahl Peace Prize symbolizes the lifetime achievements of Mr. Jochem O.W. Pahl. He was always striving to make a difference – for humanity and world peace. During his world-wide travels, he had seen much misfortune, motivating him to contribute to a better world during his lifetime: “Every human, regardless of race, color, religion or education has a right to appreciation and esteem.” He bequeathed his whole estate to the Foundation and instructed in his will the Pahl Peace Prize to honor and support individuals who have contributed to world peace in an extraordinary manner.
Every human, regardless of race, color, religion or education has a
Jochem O.W. Pahl
right to appreciation and esteem.
BiographY
Jochem o.w. pahl
The Foundation’s founder comes from a family of farmers. His parents were faced with many hardships and were even expropriated twice: For the first time after WW II, as they were cast out of Western Pomerania, now Poland, and for the second time as the communist regime confiscated their farming land in Mecklenburg Western Pomerania. In 1947 Jochem O.W. Pahl was born. When he turned 12 years old he fled the former GDR together with his parents to the West and lived in various reception camps for one year. At last his father, Gerhard Pahl, found employment and lodging in Leverkusen. Jochem started attending secondary school in Cologne and graduated in 1967 with the Abitur qualification. Two years prior his father passed away at only 56 years old.
Due to these circumstances, Jochem had to assume responsibility at a young age. While still attending school, he worked part time jobs to support his mother Elfriede and the family financially. After he graduated secondary school, Jochem O.W. Pahl started to study law. To finance his studies, he worked as a city guide in the city of Cologne. Later he attended to travel groups for a well-known travel agent in all of Europe, the US and Asia. Due to his passion for travel he founded his own company in 1978: Continental Tours. He started organizing travel tours as a self-employed businessman. The company started gaining momentum after an old friend and economist took over the administration.
