A young man who has shown an uncontested passion to address and tackle the issue of bullying - devoting untold hours to this cause over the past four years, always in addition to his studies - has been awarded a prestigious Beacon Prize 2007.

Zakwan Chowdhury has been recognised for his pioneering work to stop bullying and to raise awareness about this issue and is one of just 13 recipients of the Prize this year, all of whom were chosen for their exceptional philanthropic contribution through the giving of their time, money and skills in order to benefit specific charitable causes.

Zak has joined the ranks of previous Beacon winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith who have all been recognised for their charitable work through what has become known as the 'Nobel Prize of the charity world', first coined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Zak began with the Youth Act in 2003 and has gone on to become a director of the national iPoweri campaign, as well as helping to set up and lead ABM (Anti-Bullying Massif).

Zak and his peers in the ABM transformed the culture of their school and many others throughout London and the rest of the UK. They brought the issue of bullying and the need to confront it into the open, offering positive and effective solutions to the problem. Once ABM was set up, the rates of reported bullying in his school went down and those who were bullied had a new valuable source of advice and support from sympathetic peers.

Zak has organized an international anti-bullying conference including delegates from South Korea, Turkey and California, and he is also planning a 'world tour' of anti-bullying workshops and presentations for children, covering 26,000 miles from Bristol to Singapore, through 21 countries.

Beacon's Chairman Martyn Lewis said: "We are delighted to award Zak a Beacon Prize. His innovative anti-bullying work began with results in his own school and he now has real national impact."

The Prize Ceremony took place on 22nd November at The Banqueting House, Whitehall, when the 13 winners were inaugurated as Beacon Fellows, a community of Beacon Prize winners who together, champion charitable causes across the globe and nurture a wider culture of giving in the UK.

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For further information on the Beacon Prize, winners' biographies and photos of the 2007 award recipients or on The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust contact Fintan Nicholls on 0207 203 8295 or email fintan.nicholls@beaconfellowship.org.uk