Uitreiking Civil Society Prijzen 2009: Italianen strijden om de 1e plaats(en)
PRESS RELEASE No 124 /2009
5 Octo ber 2009
European Economic and Social Committee awards for civil society pioneers
What could Italian organisations combating organised crime , European associations promoting history and volunteering throughout the continent, an environment NGO and an economic chamber possibly have in common? They have all been singled out as winners of the third edition of the EESC's civil society prize. The prize-giving ceremony will take place during the EESC plenary session on 4 November.
The civil society prize panel, chaired by EESC President Mario Sepi, unanimously selected the six civil society organisations as winners of the 2009 edition.
Two Italian associations, Libera International and Confindustria Sicilia, which both combat mafia and organised crime in Italy and further afield, tied for the first prize. The former created the Libera International Network, which brings together civil society organisations in the EU and beyond which fight against mafia and transnational crime in numerous areas. The latter defends Sicilian businesses against protection rackets and promotes healthy business practices to attract investment.
There was also a tie for the second prize, awarded both to the European Association of History Educators (EUROCLIO), which supports the development of history education in a thought-provoking way so as to strengthen peace, stability and democracy, and to Volonteurope, a European network consisting of over 1500 civil society organisations that promotes and encourages volunteering in the EU through transnational partnerships and recognition schemes.
The French Fondation Nicolas Hulot pour la Nature et l'Homme and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce came equal third. The Nicolas Hulot Foundation aims to raise awareness in the area of environmental protection and change people's behaviour by instilling environmental responsibility. The Chamber, based in Vienna, has been singled out for an information campaign counterbalancing the prevalent negative attitude towards the EU through direct dialogue with citizens in order to raise awareness of the merits of European identity and EU membership.
By awarding the civil society prize, the EESC seeks to identify the mavericks of civil society, who are finding new ways to bring Europeans together and new ways to help them express a dynamic shared identity in the European continent. It aims to raise awareness of the important contribution which civil society organisations can make to the creation of a European identity and citizenship that is capable of underpinning the common values which shore up European integration.
Winners will receive prizes at a ceremony held during the EESC plenary session on 4 November.
To find out more about the winning projects, go to: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/sco/prize_civ_soc/index_fr.asp
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