Global Philanthropy

: : Global Philanthropy Prize : :

2006 Recipient: Ms Kristina Persson, Founder of the Swedish Stiftelsen Frejas fund

A prize honouring outstanding contributions to philanthropy was awarded this weekend to Ms Kristina Persson, Founder of the Swedish Stiftelsen Frejas fond, for the fund's project Global Challenge. The award was made in the presence of 500 members of the European Foundation Community for Ms Persson's contribution to a better understanding of one of today's most important issues - globalisation.

The 2006 Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe was awarded to Ms Persson in Brussels at the 17th Annual General Assembly of the European Foundation Centre. The Prize was launched two years ago by the Network of European Foundations' Mercator Fund and aims to reward innovative high-impact European initiatives that illustrate European leadership on global issues.

"Under Kristina Persson's leadership, the Global Challenge project is creating an open an honest debate about the challenges facing us all today in this increasingly globalised world," said Mr Georis, who presented the Prize to Ms Persson at the Award Ceremony. Georis is the Prize's namesake and was a member of the jury which was chaired by Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. "Ms Persson's work increases our understanding of globalisation and is especially relevant to the young people whose lives will be so affected by the globalisation process. Ms Persson's work bravely confronts the growing gap between the general public and the decision makers - a gap which urgently needs to be addressed."

The Award aims to underline the important role that European foundations and the European philanthropic community play in the future of world peace, security and development. It was created in honour of the contribution made by Mr Raymond Georis, widely hailed as the "Father" of European philanthropy. The Prize's goal is to annually recognise the innovative work of successive generations which have followed in the footsteps of this exceptional man of vision.

"The Prize aims to reward individuals or organisations that really make a difference to people's lives," said Mr Georis. "Ms Persson's work clearly achieves this and for many years now she has demonstrated a strong belief in the role that philanthropy can play in creating a better world."

The Jury for the Prize said that they had chosen Ms Persson as this year's winner because of her relentless work towards creating a world where communication and understanding between people are possible. She founded the Stiftelsen Frejas fond in 1991, which in turn created the Global Challenge project in 2005.

"I strongly believe that creating understanding between different groups of people is vital for the future," said Ms Persson. "It is when this understanding and lack of communication are not present that we run into conflict and problems which appear difficult to resolve."

The Global Challenge network organises meetings, debates and seminars which bring together groups of people who would never normally have had the opportunity to communicate with each other and, more importantly to understand each other. During these events, the Global Challenge project addresses key European issues: the changing labour market, welfare, solidarity and international competition, sustainable development, the new threat to security and democracy within the context of globalisation.

One previous prize winner is Avila Kilmurray, who won the Prize in 2004, for the courage of her work with the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, which enabled local activists to take action to promote stability, security, and peace in local communities. The community development programme that Ms Kilmurray developed was subsequently exported to the Balkan region.

> 2011 Recipient: Dr Bassma Kodmani, Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative

> 2010 Recipient: Mr Mo Ibrahim, Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation

> 2009 Recipient: Ms Guler Sabanci, President of the Sabanci Foundation

> 2008 Recipient: Mr Diego Hidalgo Schnur, founder of the Fundaciòn para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diàlogo Exterior (FRIDE)

> 2007 Recipient: Mr Ray Murphy, senior adviser with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

> 2006 Recipient: Ms Kristina Persson, Founder of the Swedish Stiftelsen Frejas fund

> 2005 Recipient: Mr Aly Mawji, Resident Representative in Afghanistan for the Aga Khan Development Network

> 2004 Recipient: Ms. Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland