The “European of the Year”-Awardawarded by the nonprofit organization Europe:Unitedhonors outstanding personalities and organizations who work for a solidarity-based, democratic and, above all, humane Europe. This year the prestigious award goes to the NGO Rather for everyone! – Association for education, living and participation as well as to the renowned journalists Otmar LahodynskyHonorary President of the Association of European Journalists (AEJ).
“It is a particular honor and pleasure for me to award the European of the Year Award to such great examples of lived humanity in all its diversity as well as high-quality journalism in the spirit of European enlightenment.” – Dr. Nana Walzer, President of Europe:United.
Otmar Lahodynskyformer president and current honorary president of the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), will receive the European of the Year Award 2024 for his outstanding life’s work. With his journalistic work he has always focused on European integration and the transmission of democratic values. Worth mentioning, among other things, is his book written together with Wolfgang Böhm EU for You!: This is how the European Union workswhich introduces young people to the structures and functioning of the EU in an understandable and fact-based way. His commitment to fact-based knowledge transfer underlines the importance of education and journalism for an enlightened and democratic Europe.
“In times of populism, it is more important than ever to strengthen democracy through high-quality journalism and to give people the tools to recognize and combat disinformation and fake news” – Otmar Lahodynsky
Rather for everyone! (http://vielmehr.at) has been committed to the integration, education and social participation of people with refugee experience for over a decade. With initiatives such as the “PROSA School for All Project!” The association enables teenagers and young adults with refugee experience who do not have secure access to education to obtain their compulsory school leaving certificate. At the same time, he delivers with programs like Home:base concrete support for young refugee women. Rather for everyone! With projects like the PROSA School, we strengthen the educational opportunities of young people with refugee experience, promote their resilience and teach key skills such as literacy and digitalization for a self-determined life and democratic participation.
“Young people must be helped to arrive in Europe – with language, housing and education. This is not just support, but an investment in our shared democratic future.” – Sassan EsmailzadehManaging Director of “Rather for All!”
“Rather for All!”, a member organization of the “Association of European Youth (BEJ)”, works tirelessly for the integration of people with refugee experience and actively conveys democratic and European values. With their commitment, they make an important contribution to defending and strengthening our democracy. We warmly congratulate the winners,” said Kati Schneeberger BEJ Federal Managing Director.
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