Global Philanthropy
: : Global Philanthropy Prize : :
2009 Recipient: Ms Guler Sabanci, President of the Sabanci Foundation
A prize honouring outstanding contributions to European philanthropy was awarded on Saturday to Ms Guler Sabanc, President of the Sabanci Foundation. The award was made in the presence of over 600 members of the European Foundation Community.
The 2009 Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy was presented at the 20th Annual General Assembly of the European Foundation Centre. The Prize was launched five years ago by the Network of European Foundations' Mercator Fund, and aims to reward innovative high-impact European initiatives that illustrate European leadership on global and social issues.
"Ms. Sabanci has personally taken a front-seat in all her development work, insisting on effective strategies that result in marked and sustainable change," said Mr. Raymond Georis, the Prize's namesake and a member of the Selection Committee, which was chaired by Mr. Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and President of the Madariaga European Foundation. The Selection Committee also comprised Mr. Gerry Salole, Chief Executive of the European Foundation Centre, and Ms. Norine MacDonald QC, President of the Mercator Fund.
"Leading the first grantmaking foundation with a focus on social justice in Turkey, Ms. Sabanci is playing a leading and fundamental role in setting a European standard for philanthropy in Turkey," said Ms. MacDonald. "Throughout her career, she has contributed extensively to philanthropic work in the areas of education, the accessibility of culture and the arts and the empowerment and engagement of women in the Turkish economy."
The award aims to underline the important role that the European philanthropic community plays in promoting peace, security and development. 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.
"The main aim of the Prize is to reward individuals or organisations that really make a difference to people's lives," said Ms. MacDonald. "This year's jury felt that Ms Sabanci's unique ability to convert dreams and idealistic hopes into concrete results that have a positive impact on the lives of so many epitomised the very spirit of the Prize."
Ms Sabanci insisted that, in terms of Turkish philanthropy and development, "innovation has to be a top priority on our agenda." Throughout her career, she has contributed extensively to philanthropic work in the areas of education, the accessibility of culture and the arts and the empowerment and engagement of women in the Turkish economy. In response to claims that Ms. Sabanci had become a role model for women, she said, "they say that I am an example. I didn't work to become an example. I did what I wanted. But I am proud of being regarded as an example."
In 2006 Sabanci received the "Woman of Distinction Award" from the international relations group Daughters of Ataturk, an annual title bestowed on women who have "demonstrated vision, leadership, innovation and professionalism" in "giving their talents to the international Turkish community."
Guler Sabanci was listed 8th among the Top 25 Businesswomen in Europe by the Financial Times in 2007. In 2008, she was listed 75th among the World's 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes and 9th among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune.
Ms. Sabanci is the Chairman and Managing Director of Sabanci Holding, President of the Board of Trustees of Sabanci; University, Sabanci Foundation and the Board of Sakip Sabanci Museum.
About Sabancı Foundation
Sabancı Foundation was established in 1974 with the philosophy that we must 'give what this land has given us back to its people'. Since then, the Foundation has supported the development of more than 120 institutions, established a cutting-edge university and provided thousands of scholarships and awards to promote social and human development. Sabancı Foundation's main purpose of existence is "to support high-impact initiatives which promote social development and create lasting change in people's lives" The Foundation's expanded program strategy is focused on promoting equal access to rights and an enabling environment for participation of women, youth and the disabled.
www.sabancivakfi.org
Standing: Sabanci Foundation representative, Emilio Rui Vilar (Chair of the European Foundation Centre), Raymond Georis, Norine MacDonald (President of the Mercator Fund).
Sitting: Filiz Bikmen (Sabanci Foundation), Zerrin Koyunsagan (Sabanci Foundation).
> 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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