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Max Schmidheiny Stiftung

Formal presentation of the Max Schmidheiny Foundation Freedom Prize to Kofi Annan at the University of St. Gallen

St. Gall (ots)

His Excellency Mr. Kofi Annan,
Secretary-General of the United Nations, today accepted the Max
Schmidheiny Foundation Freedom Prize in person. At a formal ceremony
at the University of St. Gallen attended by several hundred guests
from business and politics as well as students, Prof. Dr. Peter
Gomez, Chairman of the Max Schmidheiny Foundation, paid tribute to
the prizewinner as a guiding light in the daily struggle for freedom
and as an exceptional figure who has given a human face to the idea
of a world community, a concept which often appears an illusion.
Since 1979, the Max Schmidheiny Foundation has awarded its Freedom
Prize to individuals and institutions that have contributed to the
preservation and further development of a free economic and social
order. In so doing, it promotes exceptional scientific, political and
entrepreneurial initiatives as well as achievements that safeguard
individual freedom and responsibility. On May 24, 2003, at the 33rd
St. Gallen Symposium, the Max Schmidheiny Foundation Freedom Prize
was awarded to Kofi Annan in absentia; acute laryngitis had prevented
the prizewinner from travelling to Europe. However, the
Secretary-General announced his intention to visit the University of
St. Gallen at a later date, during his term of office, in order to
accept the prize in person.
It is for this reason that the Secretary-General of the United
Nations visited the University of St. Gallen on Saturday, November
18, 2006, and thereby also honoured the traditional role of the
University of St. Gallen as a meeting place between decision-makers
and academic youth. At a formal ceremony attended by more than 600
invited guests - international leaders from business, politics and
society as well as students from the University of St. Gallen - Kofi
Annan has been presented with the Max Schmidheiny Freedom prize,
which is valued at USD 100,000.-; Kofi Annan will donate this prize
money to the United Nations Refugee Agency.
Kofi Annan has been honoured as a diplomat, whose shining example
has caused the work of the United Nations to be associated with
steadfastness, trustworthiness and propriety, who with unique flair
has pushed through reforms to dismantle bureaucracy and simplify
internal structures, bolster the openness of the United Nations
towards non-government organisations and in the final analysis
increase the efficiency of peacekeeping missions, and who has also
inspired his countless diplomatic, peacekeeping and welfare staff
with renewed confidence in their common cause. Patiently yet
tenaciously, Kofi Annan, the world citizen of exceptional quality,
calls for responsible action from the power-wielding states and
corporations of this earth, reminds them of their commitment not only
to their own citizens but also to the health of the global soul and,
as a standard bearer of human rights dedicated to the idea that
"humanity is indivisible", accepts the challenges of the U.N. as a
world organisation in order to place the protection of individual
human dignity at centre stage regardless of race, religion or gender.
Kofi Annan is seen as a beacon of hope to a battered world who, in
the light of contagious diseases, persistent famine, unprecedented
ethnic hotspots and the clash of entire civilisations, endeavours to
raise the awareness of those who live in relative affluence and peace
about the plight of the poor and war-ravaged and, through
perseverance, courage and compassion combined with a deep-rooted
faith in the concept of a moral world order, motivates governments
and interest groups with inexhaustible energy to seek pro-active
answers to harrowing conflicts and thus make a meaningful
contribution to the freedom of each and every human being, a freedom
that extends beyond all geopolitical boundaries.
Further information: http://www.ms-foundation.org and
http://www.stgallen-symposium.org

Contact:

Andreas R. Kirchschläger
Delegierter des Stiftungsrates
Tel. +41/71/227'20'70
E-Mail: msf@ms-foundation.org

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