Global Philanthropy
: : Global Philanthropy Prize : :
2004 Recipient: Ms. Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
A new prize for European Philanthropy was awarded today to Avila Kilmurray, Director of The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, paying special tribute to the foundation's YouthBank project in the Balkans, for its contribution to European peace and security.
The Award underlines the important role that European foundations and the European Philanthropic community have to play in the future of peace and security in Europe through innovative projects.
The Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe was created in honour of the contribution made to European Philanthropy by Raymond Georis, often considered the "Father" of European philanthropy and aims to recognise annually the innovative work of successive generations, following in his footsteps.
Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, himself a member of the European foundation community, as President of the Madariaga European Foundation, was chair of the Selection Committee for the Prize.
This year's winner was chosen for her leading philanthropic work towards peace and social solidarity both in her own country, Ireland, and in the Balkans, with the YouthBank project.
"By giving small, well-targeted grants in risky territory as well as providing policy and development support, the foundation has proven the essential role of philanthropy. The European Union has used the Foundation as an intermediary funder for its Peace Building Programme", said Raymond Georis.
Ms Kilmurray's commitment to peace and social justice in Northern Ireland, where the Foundation's work was first focused, has resulted in collaborative work with other regions.
The foundation offers a model for efforts in other divided communities with its considerable record of achievement in building peace in Northern Ireland and has exported the project to other regions ravaged by conflict. The project is an example of the important role that can be played by foundations in Europe on a pan-European level, at the same time paying tribute to Raymond Georis' career, which itself exemplifies dedication to peace and security in Europe.
Avila Kilmurray has been Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland since 1994. The Foundation's mission is to enable local activists to take action to improve the conditions of life of the marginalized and the most disadvantaged. The Foundation endeavours to create to the conditions and identify the opportunities for social solidarity and security, which is in Avila Kilmurray's vision, the basis for peace.
"Through their work, The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, led by Avila Kilmurray, has demonstrated how, with courage and innovation, the worst of the legacy of conflict can be used to inform and shape the best in providing hope and peace and security for the future of Europe", concluded Mr Georis.
The first Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe was given today in Athens at the 15th Annual General Assembly of the European Foundation Centre. The Prize will be an annual event that aims to reward outstanding innovative European philanthropy, with high level impact on the community.
> 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
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