< 31-XII, online, Call for Nominations for The Sergio Vieira de Mello Award

Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation | Fondation Sergio Vieira de Mello

PRESS RELEASE   October 20, 2010

English version

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO AWARD

(Geneva) – The Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation is launching a worldwide call for nominations for its 2011 Award rewarding an individual, a group or an organization whose original and often daring initiatives have brought people in conflict in war- torn societies towards reconciliation.

The Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation was created in 2007 by Sergio’s family and friends to perpetuate his work and commitment to a more peaceful world. Sergio was killed with 21 other UN colleagues in a car-bomb attack against the UN building in Bagdad in 2003.

Through his long career at the UN, Sergio Vieira de Mello was always deeply involved with humanitarian issues and a strong supporter of those working to achieve peace in conflicts in all war situations around the globe, from Kosovo to the Great Lakes, from East Timor to Bosnia.

It is in his memory and to perpetuate his ideal that the Foundation has decided to attribute each year an award to draw world attention to the unnoticed efforts made by an individual, group or an organization having done something special and unique to reconcile people and parties in conflict.

Anybody can nominate any individual ,group or organization (however neither individual, group nor organization can nominate themselves) whose original approach, preferably at a grass roots level,has not only made a difference in bringing irreconcilable parties together but which could serve as an example and be applied elsewhere.

Each nominee should have at least two sponsors who can be contacted if needed.

The selection of the winning candidate is made by an independent jury of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation. Following the selection, the announcement of the award winner will be made early next year.

The winner will be invited in Geneva to receive the Award. A financial grant will also be offered.

For more details on the selection process, please consult the web site of the Foundation: www.sergiovdmfoundation.org/award

Nominations for this year’s award should reach the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation by 31 December 2010 either by email at:
info@sergiovdmfoundation.org
or by post at:
Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation, 29 rue des Allobroges
1227 Carouges, Geneva, Switzerland

Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation - http://www.sergiovdmfoundation.org