OSCE launches call for nominations: Max van der Stoel Award 2016

THE HAGUE, 14 March 2016 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors today launched a call for nominations for the Max van der Stoel Award.

The 50,000 EUR Award recognizes extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of national minorities in OSCE participating States.

Although nominations can only be formally submitted by OSCE field operations, institutions, and delegations of OSCE participating States, Thors encourages other interested people to forward the names of individuals, groups or institutions whom they wish to nominate for their outstanding work to an  OSCE field operation, institution or delegation, which can subsequently choose to nominate such candidates on their behalf.

Nominations must be submitted to the HCNM by 1 May 2016. They can be made to the office of the HCNM, by email to mvds@hcnm.org or through the online nomination form at www.maxvanderstoelaward.com/nominate. Please include the name of the candidate, relevant contact information and the reason for the nomination (100–200 words).

The Award will be presented at a ceremony in The Hague on 24 October 2016.

Established in 2001 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Max van der Stoel Award honours this prominent Dutch statesman who was also the first OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, while at the same time highlighting issues related to national minorities.

New deadline for nominations is 13 May 2016.