By Daisy Ayliffe - 11th October 2005
The work of MEPs was recognised at a Parliament Magazine award ceremony in Brussels on Tuesday night.
The unique voting procedure at the awards allowed NGO's to nominate and MEPs to vote on prize-winners.
This year awards highlighted the work of MEPs in six categories: environment, justice and human rights, education and youth, health, development and ‘achiever of the year’.
European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström presented awards to the victorious six MEPs.
“These awards pay tribute to hard working parliamentarians who show their commitment to Europe and their respect for EU citizens,” she said at the opening of the ceremony.
“I found these awards particularly interesting because of the way in which they combine the judgment of NGOs with the self-assessment of MEPs.”
Swedish MEP Anders Wijkman came top of the “best-all-rounder” category - picking up the achiever of the year award.
Wijkman said his work in development, the environment and industry was often “an uphill struggle.”
“This award ceremony is a very good initiative,” he said.
“Every so often working as an MEP is an uphill struggle. Having been selected by the NGOs and my peers creates a very special feeling.”
French Green MEP Marie Anne Isler Béguin called for the environment to be pushed to the top of the agenda when she accepted her award.
“The environment is not just important for the few; preserving our planet is the job of all of us. At EU level we take things forward onto the global stage,” she said.
Glenys Kinnock won in the Development category. She said she was proud to be one of Europe’s “unsung heroes” and expressed her gratitude to both NGOS and MEPs for voting for her.
“I am honoured to be able to work in with our African, Caribbean and pacific friends in development - ensuring that we are at the forefront of efforts to take our role in the world seriously.”
Conservative MEP for London, John Bowis was rewarded for his efforts in health policy.
“This is a team award and I share it with my office. But these achievements are also with a whole batch of people in the health arena.”
UK Green MEP Jean Lambert won the award for Justice & Human Rights and the Youth & Education category was won by German Christian Democrat, Doris Pack.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.