13th Chemnitz Peace Prize
Refugee aid plays a major role
The citizens' association FUER Chemnitz e.V. in conjunction with the City of Chemnitz Migration Commissioner will be awarding the Chemnitz Peace Prize for the 13th time on 4 March 2016 at 5 p.m., the evening before the Chemnitz Peace Day, in the City Council Chamber of the City Hall.
Three prizes of 500 euros, 300 euros and 200 euros as well as an honorary prize will be awarded. Mayor Miko Runkel brings greetings from the city. A video and radio contribution by SAEK-Chemnitz will introduce the event and members of the Municipal Music School will provide musical accompaniment to the programme. Following the award ceremony, a reception will be held for the first time to provide the participants with a space for a lively exchange of ideas.
The first prize goes to the Welcome Service at Chemnitz Central Station, a volunteer initiative of Chemnitz citizens who welcome arriving refugees and help them on their onward journey to the first facility. The exemplary, tireless and constant commitment is thus to be honoured.
The KOMPOTT centre (Leipziger Str.) receives the second prize. Young people from Chemnitz organise their own housing, work and culture, as well as help for the needy and refugees, without demanding subsidies. This is a sustainable integration achievement across several generations and is also an excellent example.
The third prize goes to Freifunk Chemnitz, which uses its technical background knowledge to advocate for open and anonymous Wi-Fi in order to give all users a bit of anonymity back and create a provider-independent infrastructure. This has also helped asylum seekers in particular to easily contact their families.
The 2016 special prize was awarded to a family for the first time. The Kästel-Sasse family, who have been committed to non-violence, civil rights and culture for many years, and not just at the Montessori school. The family also does exemplary work in helping refugees.
The winners (first prize and honourable mention) receive the sculpture created especially for the Peace Prize by Chemnitz sculptor Erik Neukirchner.
24 projects, individuals and institutions were nominated in 2016. Two rapporteurs from the jury visited each of the proposals and interviewed those responsible.
The project was once again generously supported this year by eins energie in sachsen GmbH & Co KG.
For further information please contact:
Egmont Elschner, Bürgerverein FUER Chemnitz e.V.
Tel. 0172 3711363
E-mail: post(at)egmontelschner.de