Brussels, 19/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of his departure from the European Commission, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel, who left to conduct his European election campaign on Tuesday 19 May, was informed that he had been awarded the African Time for Peace Prize.
The prize, sponsored by the Africa Peace Foundation - a non-political and non-profit making organisation aiming to promote sustainable peace in Africa - was created to raise public awareness on peace issues, to promote the values of solidarity and to valorise African peace and development initiatives. This is the first time the prize has been awarded. It will be awarded every year to three personalities and/or institutions - two from Africa and one from a non-African country.
Michel will receive his prize in recognition of his life-time's work for the promotion of peace in Africa, first as a politician, former Belgian Foreign Minister and then European Commissioner.
The African Union and the Nelson Mandela Foundation are the other 2009 prize winners. All three, or their representatives, will be presented with a gold sculpture representing the continent of Africa.
On hearing the news of his award, Michel said: “I am truly honoured to have been awarded this prize and to be part of such a distinguished group of winners. Africa and its entire people from across the continent deserve to live in peace and prosperity. This has been the goal of my efforts over many years by working in partnership with them. I will continue to work - with all my energy and determination - to ensure that the winner of the ultimate prize of peace and greater prosperity is indeed Africa and its many nations and peoples”.
Candidates may be nominated for their achievements within the cultural, institutional, economic, social and political fields. The “Africa Time for Peace Prize” jury is composed of members of the Bureau of the Time for Peace, namely Lazare Sehoueto (former minister - Benin), Dr. André Tolentino (former minister - Cape Verde), Professor Mbulelo Mzamane (South Africa), Dr. Nestor Bidadanure (journalist), Aubin Godjo (Kilimandjaro Institut) and David Gakunzi (media and development specialist).
Louis Michel received another honour in Brussels on 19 May: his work as European Commissioner over the last five years was acknowledged by EU development minsters and the Czech Presidency. “This is the last Council that Louis Michel will attend. We thank him for his commitment and his successes. He has given his all for the cause of development in Africa,” said Czech Foreign Minister and Council President Jan Kohout. (A.N./transl.rt)