Remarks of
Antonio Maria Costa
Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna
and Executive Director Office on Drugs and Crime
At the
Ceremony for the Presentation of the
Fourth Annual UN/Vienna Civil Society Award
Vienna
17 December 2002
Minister Ferrero-Waldner, Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am very honoured to be here for this event, but especially due to the fact that this event takes place in the historic hall of the Congress of Vienna. It is in these premises that multilateral diplomacy was invented. It is in these premises that many nation states of Europe were created or redimensioned; some others vanished. It is in this hall that Europes frontiers were redrawn and armies were downsized.
What is striking and fascinating at the same time is that this very hall is not only used to talk about the big picture of politics, diplomacy, war and peace, but also to appreciate the admirable work of individuals, or their small institutions individuals, committed to wage war against poverty, misery, suffering and unhappiness. Yes, the world is mainly dominated by big politics and big armies, but I still believe that the work of the individual is indispensable and that this determination to help others is as important. It is a lesson to all of us in humility and sacrifice.
The United Nations Vienna Civil Society Award was established by the Federal Government of Austria, the City of Vienna and the United Nations in 1999 to honour outstanding contributions to promote civil society, efforts against drugs, crime and terrorism. From his first days in office, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has spoken out on the need for the United Nations to work more closely with civil society in the interest of peace and social justice. The award underscores the fact that we can only succeed in our work if we partner with associations and individuals who, with courage and dedication, take on the challenge of making their own community a better place to live in.
For us at the United Nations in Vienna, the award is also a symbol of the excellent relations we have with our host country and city.
This year, in recognition of the awards growing popularity, a record number of nominations were received more than 220. This level of response and the exceptional quality of the applicants presented a true challenge to the Award Selection Committee. The four recipients of this years Award exemplify an unusual degree of dedication and courage.
The Missing Persons Families Support Centre in Lithuania is an NGO dealing with crime prevention. The Centre is at the forefront of raising awareness about trafficking in human beings, a serious problem in that country. The Centre targets schools and areas of high unemployment where vulnerable populations exist. Its efforts focus on reintegrating victims of trafficking into society and providing crucial information to those wishing to work abroad through a 24-hour hotline. The Centre is the only NGO in the country that assists trafficking victims, opening its first shelter in Vilnius last year. TheMissing Persons Families Support Centre has become the emblem of the fight against human trafficking in Lithuania.
Dr. Parveen Azam Khan worked for 20 years as a medical doctor in Pakistan before getting involved in drug abuse prevention. Dr. Khan has dedicated herself to the treatment and rehabilitation of disadvantaged, vulnerable and stigmatised groups living on the margins of society. Through an NGO that she created in 1992, the DOST Welfare Foundation, she reaches out to drug abusers on the streets, in prisons and in the community in order to facilitate their reintegration into society. Dr. Khans foundation provides residential treatment programmes, mobile street outreach facilities and drop-in centres. DOST also runs drug awareness and training programmes in the North West Frontier Province and in refugee camps for Afghan women. Since its inception, DOST has benefited thousands of drug addicts and their families. Every day, Dr. Parveen Azam Khan proves that an individual can make a difference.
Concordia was established in 1991 to find a solution to the problem of street children in Romania and to reduce criminality among youth. Today it aims at educating and reintegrating street children and disadvantaged youth into society. Concordia has built 20 shelters in the last 10 years providing housing for more than 400 children and adolescents who, before admission, were all street children and often drug abusers, as well. The children now attend schools, work and live independently with their own families. Concordias work is a seven-step process involving street work - especially in the ghetto areas of Bucharest, medical and psychological treatment, housing followed by professional training and schooling, finding a job, living independently and finally, helping and sharing experiences with newcomers to the programme. Concordias work has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of street children and homeless youths in Romania.
Irvin Kinnes is committed to addressing the root causes of crime and gang violence in South Africa, as well as seeking creative ways to combat these problems. He is the founding member of the Western Cape Anti-Crime Forum, which played a key role in the development of legislation for witness protection programmes. Mr. Kinnes contribution was instrumental to the Community Police Forum where police and communities work together to address the issues of crime. He also facilitated the process that led to a project entitled "Taking Back our Communities" bringing together law enforcement, government and community elements to fight crime and gangs. Mr. Kinnes is a founding member of the Joint Forum on Policing (JFP) and has worked on developing the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), which deals with complaints against police officers.
A strong commitment to human rights led Mr. Kinnes to his work in community policing.
In conclusion, I would like to add my voice to that of her Excellency, the Foreign Minister, on the importance of human security. This critical concept and practice ties so well with other awards.
We will now proceed with the presentation of the awards.