Dutch Foreign Minister to present Cyprus-based Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) with Max van der Stoel Award 2016

THE HAGUE, 21 October 2016 – The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bert Koenders is to present the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), a Cyprus-based non-governmental organization, with the Max van der Stoel Award 2016 for its work on history teaching as a tool for reconciliation in Cyprus. The prize will be awarded at a ceremony on 24 October in the Peace Palace, in The Hague.  

“A proper understanding of history can in fact contribute to a reassessment of inter-community relations,” elaborates Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders. “The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research is a Cypriot NGO that has taken a remarkable inter-communal approach to fostering greater historical awareness and hence understanding of the situation in which the communities on the island find themselves. Its activities are focused on education and offering different perspectives on history. This is of greater importance than ever, with today’s hopeful perspectives on a possibly reunited Cyprus.”

In its justification the International Jury of the Max van der Stoel Award said that, “throughout the last 13 years, AHDR demonstrated sustained commitment to building a multilingual and multi-faith society which celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect and understanding.”

Astrid Thors, Chair of the Jury and former High Commissioner on National Minorities, said: “It is a privilege to reward an organization with such a clear vision and conviction that education is at the core of integrating diversity.”

Co-presidents of the AHDR Alev Tuğberk and Kyriakos Pachoulides will collect the award on behalf of the Association. AHDR was established in 2003 by a group of history educators and researchers dedicated to the advancement of historical understanding and critical thinking amongst the public and, more specifically, amongst pupils, educators and civil society.

The Max van der Stoel Award, a prize of 50,000 euro, is presented every two years to a person, group or institution for extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of national minorities and inter-communal relations in the OSCE participating States. The Award was established in 2001 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and honours Max van der Stoel, a prominent Dutch statesman who was the first OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, while also highlighting issues related to national minorities.

Media representatives are welcome to attend the Max van der Stoel Award Ceremony on Monday 24 October at 16:30 in the Academy Hall of the Peace Palace, Carnegieplein 2, The Hague. For more information, requests related to interviews and to gain entry to the ceremony, please contact:

Stefan Heger
Tel:               +31 (0)70 312 5516
Mobile:        +31 (0)6 487 41889
Email:           Stefan.heger@hcnm.org

For further questions regarding the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, please contact the spokesperson of Minister Koenders, Annemijn van den Broek, annemijn-vanden.broek@minbuza.nl, +31652503289.