Nominees can now be designated for the 2021 edition of the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award, that will be conferred annually on a city leader, civic leader or organization working at local or regional levels, that follows the example of Mayor Adamowicz in promoting freedom and solidarity, equality and non-discrimination. The awardis an act of homage to the former Mayor of Gdańsk stabbed on 13 January 2019 and whose murder was preceded by a rise in hate speech directed at him. The Award supports those who fight intolerance, hate speech and xenophobia.

Nominees for the Award may be proposed by 15 members of the European Committee, ICORN member cities or regions, as well as invited international organisations with strong engagement and relevant expertise in the fields of the Award. Nominees for the Award may come from or be active in any country in the world. The deadline for submitting nominations is 23:59 (Brussels time) on 15 September 2021. The award ceremony will take place in December.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas , President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of the region of Central Macedonia, said: ''The European Union is based on democratic values to be defended and promoted at the closest level to citizens in their regions, cities and villages. One of these values is freedom of speech. This award is an act of homage and represents a strong signal of hope for all elected representatives, officials and ordinary citizens who, despite the risks, live to make democracy work at the local level by supporting better and more open communities. We pay tribute to those who daily dare to turn their places into better places, as Mayor Adamowicz did in Gdansk. We look for inspired and courageous local leaders who make grassroots democracy stronger, society open, institutions respectful, welcoming and fair.

Magdalena Adamowicz , Member of the European Parliament and Paweł Adamowicz’s widow, said : ''Good is quiet, evil is clamorous. Particularly today, amid the din of xenophobia, homophobia, radicalism, nationalism and ubiquitous hate speech, our task must be to find all those who do good and hold them up as an example. This is the purpose of the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award. I encourage you from the bottom of my heart: look around and nominate for the award all those who act for other people: their dignity, equality, safety. Good is quiet, but let us speak as loudly as possible about those who do it!''.

The Mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz , said: '' Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award project is a joint initiative of ICORN, the Committee of the Regions and the city of Gdańsk. It is an important step towards reinforcing the idea of social integration, civic participation, promoting equal opportunities, respecting human rights and civil liberties. The patron of this important award was passionately involved in fighting against prejudice, xenophobia and violence in public life. We sincerely believe that, with their lives and values they cherish, the winners of this Award will creatively fit into the ideals of freedom and solidarity which are so dear to the city where Paweł Adamowicz came from''.

Executive Director of ICORN, Helge Lunde said: '' Cities are safe havens only when people have the courage to respect the rights of others. In the contemporary political world, it is cities that have become symbols of solidarity and trust, of cohabitation and collaboration, as Gdańsk became under the leadership of its late Mayor, Paweł Adamowicz''.

Background:

Paweł Adamowicz was stabbed on 13 January 2019 while speaking at a charity event. He died from his injuries the following day. He was 53 years old. His murder was preceded by a rise in hate speech directed at him. His death prompted a debate about the contribution of the degeneration of public discourse to violence, extremism, propaganda and intolerance.

Mr Adamowicz was committed to promoting the EU's fundamental values, and was an active member of the European Committee of the Regions. In 2016, Mayor Adamowicz launched the Gdańsk 'Immigrant Integration Model' after meeting Pope Francis. It has served as a model that has inspired other Polish cities.

Further information:

The European Committee of the Regions, as the political assembly of local and regional politicians in the EU and on the initiative of the Polish delegation, unanimously adopted a resolution on 7 February 2019 condemning hate speech and threats of all kinds against political leaders.

The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) is an international organisation of 75 cities and regions in Europe and beyond, offering safe haven to persecuted writers and artists, advancing freedom of expression, defending democratic values and promoting international solidarity. More than 250 writers and artists have been offered residency in an ICORN city. In a safe environment, they continue to play a vital role, both in highlighting violations of human rights and free speech in their home countries, and in supporting colleagues in their country of origin. Mayor Pawel Adamowicz brought the City of Gdańsk into ICORN on 30 August 2017.

Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award - website : #AdamowiczAward

Rules and regulations of the award, Eligibility Criteria, Selection Criteria

Contacts:

European Committee of the Regions
Wioletta Wojewodzka
Tel. +32 (0)2 282 2289
Mobile: +32 (0)473 843 986
wioletta.wojewodzka@cor.europa.eu

City of Gdańsk
Maciej Buczkowski
Tel.: + 48 58 323 62 84
maciej.buczkowski@gdansk.gda.pl

International Cities of Refuge Network
Helge Lunde
Tel.: + 47 51 50 71 25
helge@icorn.org