MAX SCHMIDHEINY FOUNDATION FREEDOM PRIZE FOR 2002 AWARDED TO RUUD LUBBERS

ST. GALLEN 25.05.2002 (PROTEXT) - Ruud Lubbers, UnitedNations High Commissioner for Refugees, was presented with theMax Schmidheiny Foundation's Freedom Prize for the year 2002. Thepresentation took place at the 32nd ISC-Symposiums in the greathall of the University of St. Gallen. An audience of more than800 guests from all over the world heard Prof. Dr. KlausVallender, President of the Jury, describe the achievements ofthe prizewinner.

Every year, the Max Schmidheiny Foundation honours personsand institutions who have contributed to the maintenance andfurther development of a free social and economic order. Itthereby promotes outstanding scientific, political andentrepreneurial initiatives and achievements that safeguardindividual freedom and responsibility. This year's value of theprize is CHF 100,000.; it was awarded for the 24th time.

Ruud Lubbers has been honoured as a politician who, as PrimeMinister of the Netherlands for three legislative periods,played a decisive role in advancing the modernisation of hiscountry by accepting as a challenge the initial currents of an"unfolding" world and, as the guiding light of the "Dutch Model",created trust between the social partners, bringing about thehigher employment that boosted and lifted the Dutch economy outof a deep crisis. With perseverance and determination, RuudLubbers promoted sustainable business development in the senseof a symbiosis between politics, business and civil society whichmust take equal account of social questions and the embedding ofdecisions within the democratic process, and thus ultimatelyappeals to every citizen's global solidarity and respect for theenvironment. As United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,Ruud Lubbers acts as advocate representing more than 22 millionrefugees who, in times of unrelenting crises and an increasingreadiness to embark on military intervention, assumes theHerculean task of restoring the foundations of a free societywith courage and dedication by providing justice, protection andassistance to the victims of armed conflict and domestic disorderand, fuelled by the example of countless men and women who upholdthe ideals of freedom and humanity throughout the world, becomesa crucial link in the co- ordinated efforts to maintain peace,security and stability in all regions of the world.

Max Schmidheiny Foundation at the University of St. Gallen

Further information (including photographic material): http://www.ms-foundation.org and http://www.isc-symposium.org

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