European Medal of Tolerance

The European Medal of Tolerance is a European tolerance prize established by the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR) in 2008.[1]

The purpose of the prize is to honour and reward extraordinary creative achievements in the promotion of tolerance. The emphasis is on achievement. The ultimate aim is to draw attention to successful undertakings that may serve as models for others in the field of tolerance and peace-building. The prize thus recognizes effectiveness as well as vision; impact assessment is a part of the nomination and evaluation process.

This prize is dedicated to effective implementation of the Principles of Tolerance in both public and private spheres, in particular in the policy making process, legislative action on the national and regional level, and law enforcement activities as well as in the arts, education, culture, science and communication.

The prize is to be awarded to persons, groups of persons, non-governmental, governmental and intergovernmental organizations and institutions for exceptional contributions to, and leadership in, the promotion of tolerance on the European continent and to the fight against the most odious forms of intolerance such as xenophobia, anti-Semitism, aggressive nationalism, political extremism and racially motivated hate crime.

The prize may also be awarded to the families of outstanding individuals who have lost their lives in the struggle against intolerance.

The prize will be in form of a gold 'European Medal of Tolerance' presented to the recipient as a concrete and lasting token of the award.

The first presentation of the Medal of Tolerance was held[2] on November 11, 2008 in the context of the Week of Tolerance in Europe international public initiative.

The First European medal of tolerance was conferred[3] on October 11, 2010 on the King of Spain Juan Carlos I for his lifelong dedication and devotion to the issue of tolerance and political reconciliation. The second and the third European Medals of Tolerance have been conferred on President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic and Ex-President of Serbia Boris Tadic at the European Parliament in Brussels by European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation Chairman Alexander Kwasniewski and ECTR Co-Chairman Viatcheslav Kantor, in recognition of the Balkan statesmen’s “significant contribution to promoting, seeking, safeguarding or maintaining Tolerance and Reconciliation on the European continent”.[4]

“We need to unite our efforts to fight any manifestation of extreme nationalism, discrimination, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and racism throughout Europe,” said European Parliament President Martin Schulz. “Still today, in parts of Europe, we see the demons of the past raise their ugly heads. This is warning to all of us. As Edmund Burke said ‘All that’s necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.’"[5]

"We aim to send a strong message that despite the current difficulties in Europe, a strong and brave leadership can solve problems peacefully," said ECTR Co-Chairman Viatcheslav Kantor.[6] Kantor praised the efforts in Eastern Europe, but cautioned that the rise of far-right, nationalist parties must still be monitored.

References

  1. ↑ European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation Events
  2. ↑ European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation Events
  3. ↑ Spain’s King Juan Carlos I awarded the first ever ‘European Medal of Tolerance’ for his efforts to build a tolerant society (European Jewish Press)
  4. ↑ Balkan leaders honoured for ‘tolerance, honesty, moral courage, and reconciliation’ at European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation ceremony (European Jewish Congress)
  5. ↑ Martin Schulz's Speech for the European Medal of Tolerance ceremony to President Ivo Josipović and President Boris Tadić (European Parliament website)
  6. ↑ President of Croatia and former president of Serbia to receive Medal of Tolerance Award (European Jewish Press)
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