Press Conference to Mark Occasion of 2011 Women Together Awards

 

Ahead of tonight’s Gala Dinner to honour recipients of its 2011 Awards at New York Headquarters, the Spanish non-governmental organization Women Together said today that this year’s event was intended to highlight the work of exceptional individuals in different fields, countries and situations.

Speaking at a press conference sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations, Pilar Ribal, Vice-President of Women Together, a not-for-profit organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, said it aimed to sensitize people to and raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals, having focused for a decade on introducing, diffusing and consolidating the concept of microcredit as a poverty-eradication tool.  The 2011 awards summarized the core values that Women Together had promoted since its inception, she said.

Ms. Ribal announced that, during this year’s Gala, the association would introduce the Social Innovation Centre for Fashion Development, to be located in Cartagena, Colombia.  The Centre would connect fashion designers, other experts and industries with Latin American craftsmen and weavers, who would contribute their creativity and innovative skills in ancient techniques and materials.

“ Latin America looks forward to the future with hope and optimism, and it is one of the regions that have achieved most of the UN Millennium Development Goals,” she said, reading remarks on behalf of Women Together President Joana Caparrós.

The following individuals, groups, institutions and one corporation won this year’s awards:  Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Benita Ferrero-Waldner, former European Commissioner for External Relations and former Minister for Foreign Affairs for Austria; Javier Limon, musician, composer and producer; Tippy Hedren, United States philanthropist and activist; Beatrice Rangel of Venezuela; Ana Maria Salazar, Rector of Spain’s Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; Gustavo Dudamel, Venezuelan Orchestra Director; Carlos Mundy, Spanish philanthropist; FIDES Foundation of Colombia; Crafts of Colombia; and ECOALF, a Spanish company.

Ms. Ferrero-Waldner, expressing gratitude for the award, said she had worked for the Millennium Development Goals as European Commissioner, not only because the European Union was a “big spender”, but also because of her commitment to working for education, health care, social justice, human rights and for women themselves, since women were “multipliers”.  However, much remained to be done, she said, expressing hope that she would be able to do more in her new role as President of the European Union-Latin American and Caribbean Countries Foundation, which aimed to bring the two regions even closer together.

Mr. Limon said that besides his strong belief that music was a universal language cutting across all barriers, he also believed that the voice of women could contribute to peace around the world.

Urologist Alejandro Escallón, President of FIDES, which employed sport, art, music, and dance to help people with mental disabilities from around the continent, said the foundation was honoured to have been chosen.

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For information media • not an official record