Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The Network of European Foundations’ Mercator Fund created The Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe to pay tribute to outstanding and high impact philanthropy initiated by European Foundations: As the creation of the prize strives to underline, the Mercator Fund believes that the European Foundation community has an increasingly important and necessary role to play in global issues in all regions of the world.

Once again this year, the nominated individuals, foundations and projects displayed the hallmarks of high-level philanthropic achievement, and I would like to thank all those who took the time to nominate projects, and to congratulate all of the nominated individuals for their important contribution to improving the lives of so many people. All of the nominated projects were exceptional.

I would also like to thank the members of this year’s Selection Committee which was chaired by High Representative Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and President of the Madariaga European Foundation. We were also joined of course by Mr Georis, Ms Avila Kilmurray, last year’s Prize winner and the Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and Mr Dan Brändström, Chair of the European Foundation Centre. We had the difficult task of choosing among a number of high level philanthropic projects that have all made a difference in their respective communities, and that uphold the ideals that inspired the creation of this prize:

The Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe was created in honour of Mr Raymond Georis, widely hailed as the “Father” of European philanthropy. The Prize’s mandate is to recognise the innovative work of successive generations, which have followed in the footsteps of this exceptional man of vision.

It is, essentially, an award for bravery for those individuals and organisations that have made a profound difference in our world through philanthropy today.

Last year’s winner, Avila Kilmurray, showed exceptional bravery and courage in ‘’exporting’’ to the Balkan region the model of peace building and community reintegration that she initiated in Northern Ireland with her organisation the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

This year, one project and one remarkable man showed similar bravery and courage and is a truly outstanding example of high-impact philanthropy that has made a significant improvement in people’s lives and in communities involved in conflict.

The project and its leader were selected by the Committee because, through the use of innovative strategies and ideas, their work has made and – is still making – a very real difference to people’s daily lives. The winner’s work helps provide for a nation which very nearly requires total reconstruction after over twenty years of war, political instability and turmoil.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honoured to announce that this year’s recipient is: Mr Aly Mawji, as Resident Representative in Afghanistan of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Mr Mawji was nominated by Mr Nicolas Borsinger, Secretary General of the Fondation Pro Victimis and Mr Luc Tayart de Borms, Managing Director of the King Baudouin Foundation.

Mr Mawji has been selected as recipient of this year’s Georis Prize for the extremely effective and courageous programme of ‘high-impact philanthropy’ that he leads in Afghanistan. The bravery that Mr Mawji and The Aga Khan Development Network have shown in Afghanistan has been a key factor in the long-term development of Afghanistan, and specifically of the ten provinces in which the organisation operates.

The Aga Khan Development Network has been working in Afghanistan for the last ten years, firstly as a humanitarian relief programme during Taliban rule; subsequently as an agency providing long-term development programmes.

The courageous work in the field of Mr Mawji personally, and his dedicated staff in Afghanistan has been vital to the reconstruction of the country. Basic development, like building, improving and repairing roads and bridges, hospitals, clinics, schools, and plumbing systems has been undertaken by the Aga Khan Development Network. This has been essential to the ongoing struggle to create a safe, stable and prosperous country. By providing these services over the last decade, the Aga Khan Development Network has become a constant, effective and dependable force in helping Afghanistan’s development after years of bitter conflict and war, under the most difficult and personally dangerous conditions.

The Aga Khan Development Network displays not only an unequalled longevity and bravery in working within Afghanistan, but also true commitment, insight and innovation when it comes to maximizing the impact of their development work. Under the leadership of Mr Mawji, the Aga Khan Development Network has helped Afghans to help themselves, and has worked to ensure that future generations have the possibility of the prosperous and decent life which has so long eluded this people and which is their right.

The Georis Prize was created to recognize and reward European philanthropy which takes leadership on pressing global issues. The achievements of this year’s recipient of the Prize, Mr Aly Mawji and the Aga Khan Development Network, exemplify this ideal.

It is my great pleasure and honour to introduce you Mr Aly Mawji, who will be presented the Award by Mr Raymond Georis, after which Mr Mawji has been asked to make a presentation on his work in Afghanistan.

• Aly Mawji speech
• Press Release