Global Philanthropy
: : Global Philanthropy Prize : :
2010 Recipient: Mr Mo Ibrahim, Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
The 2010 Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe was awarded on Friday 4th June to Dr Mo Ibrahim, Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. The Prize was presented at the 21st Annual General Assembly of the European Foundation Centre that took place in Brussels during the first ever "Foundation Week".
"The strength of Dr Ibrahim's work lies in the bringing together of European and African philanthropy and civil society actors," said Norine MacDonald, President of the NEF-Mercator Fund, organisers of the Prize. "Born in Sudan and educated in Britain, where he now lives and his foundation is based, Dr Ibrahim has a unique personal and professional ability to straddle boundaries: between businessmen, philanthropists and community leaders, but also between Europe and Africa. He matches the best of Europe with the best of Africa. In doing so he is at the cutting edge of a new paradigm for global philanthropy."
Ms MacDonald was a member of the Selection Committee which was chaired by Mr. Javier Solana, former Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and President of the Madariaga-College of Europe Foundation. The Committee also comprised Mr. Gerry Salole, Chief Executive of the European Foundation Centre, and Mr Raymond Georis.
Dr Mo Ibrahim was nominated for the Prize in recognition of the innovative initiative he has developed in his work at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation: a project that aims to change the landscape of governance in Africa: The Ibrahim Index - which enables comparison, standard bearing and target-setting for improvements in governance and an annual prize for an African political leader who has made the largest contribution to good governance in his/her country that year. The Ibrahim Prize consists of 500 thousand dollars per year for ten years and 200 thousand dollars for life after that. The laureate/winner is also awarded a discretionary 200 thousand dollars for ten years for good causes of their choice.
"In his work to encourage good governance in Africa, Dr Mo Ibrahim matches the best of Europe with the best of Africa. In doing so he is at the cutting edge of a new paradigm for global philanthropy," said Mr Raymond Georis.
The award aims to underline the important role that the European philanthropic community plays in promoting peace, security and development across the globe. The Prize's goal is to annually recognise the innovative work of successive generations which have followed in the footsteps of Mr. Georis. The Mercator Fund's main objective is to deal with matters related to Europe's role in global social issues.
In 2008 Dr Ibrahim was listed by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Also in 2008, he received the BNP Paribas Prize for Philanthropy for his actions promoting of better governance in sub-Saharan Africa.
Having established the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in 2006, Dr Ibrahim stepped down as Chairman of Celtel International to focus on his philanthropic work.
Complete Norine MacDonald QC & Raymond Georis speeches
About the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation was established in 2006. It brings together the academic, business and development worlds to stimulate debate about standards of governance, in sub-Saharan Africa and the world.
Through the Ibrahim Index and the communication of its annual results across the continent, the Foundation is initiating an open dialogue on the measurement of governance, and therefore on the criteria by which citizens can hold their governments to account.
Through the Ibrahim Prize, the Foundation helps highlight the good news from the continent and ensures that great African leaders are given the means to continue in their role as public servants after they have left office. The Prize laureate receives 500 thousand dollars per year for ten years and 200 thousand dollars for life after that. The laureate/winner is also awarded a discretionary 200 thousand dollars for ten years for good causes of their choice.
www.moibrahimfoundation.org/
> 2011 Recipient: Dr Bassma Kodmani, Executive Director of the Arab Reform Initiative
> 2010 Recipient: Mr Mo Ibrahim, Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
> 2009 Recipient: Ms Guler Sabanci, President of the Sabanci Foundation
> 2007 Recipient: Mr Ray Murphy, senior adviser with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
> 2006 Recipient: Ms Kristina Persson, Founder of the Swedish Stiftelsen Frejas fund
> 2004 Recipient: Ms. Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
The Global Media Centre was created by the Network of European Foundations' Mercator Fund to provide the specialised advocacy and media outreach work that the policy-making and philanthropic community needs. Its objective is to provide assistance in reconciling philanthropic, policy, academic, scientific, and social objectives with the need for a "media friendly" story, developing and tailoring messages to resonate with key decision-makers.
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