7 June 2022
Liberal Awards 2022: Meet the winners
The European Liberal Forum was honoured to present the Liberal Awards 2022, the second edition of our ceremony promoting and celebrating outstanding European Liberal figures.
The European Liberal Forum was honoured to present the Liberal Awards 2022, the second edition of our ceremony promoting and celebrating outstanding European Liberal figures.
As the official political foundation and think tank of the ALDE Party, ELF strives to promote liberal values and their advocates in Europe. The Liberal Awards are special as they give us the chance, not only to look back and celebrate the liberal successes of the past year, but to also encourage and provide a platform to those who are doing exemplary work. This years awards took place at the ALDE Congress 2022 in the Irish capital, Dublin.
With that, we preset our 2022 winners in their respective categories!
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Pavle Grbović
Who: Pavle is a Serbian politician who is currently a member of the City Assembly of Belgrade, as well as the President of the Free Citizens Movement, a liberal political movement since September 2020.
Why: At the age of 26, Pavle became the youngest leader ever of a national political party, the Free Citizens Movement. He became a singular national voice in Serbia, in debates and duels with political opponents, winning praise for his style and argumentation, “taking down” nationalist MPs and ministers. He helped secure seats in parliamentary elections for his Free Citizens Movement as part of a multi-party coalition formed to take down the autocratic and kleptocratic regime of Aleksandar Vučić. It is the first time in several years that Serbia will have liberals present in the Parliament, a huge achievement for pro-European forces in the country.
“As you know, it’s not easy to be a liberal in Serbia. It is a challenge that Pavle has risen to. It’s been many years since Serbia had a true pro-European liberal party in the Parliament. I am happy to say that together with Pavle, we will be that voice in the Serbian Parliament.”
Olha Stefanishyna
Who: Olha is the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine since 2020. She is a member of the Presidents’ Servant of the People Party and fighting for Ukraine facing the Russian invasion.
Why: In the Government, she is responsible for Ukraine’s integration to the EU and NATO, as well as coordination of gender equality policy. Upon her appointment, she has worked tirelessly to boost trade and enhance cross-border cooperation between the EU and Ukraine as well as facilitate closer cooperation with NATO and its member states. She is a true European and the leader that will guide Ukraine towards a common European future.
”This is the award that belongs to the people of our nation. 100 days of the Ukrainian resistance and I am happy to represent the government. It is a particular pleasure for us to be part of the Liberal Family. We hope that these efforts will bring us closer to the EU.”
Kira Rudik
Who: Kira is a Ukrainian politician and current President of the Golos (Voice) Party in Ukraine. She has been an MP in the National Parliament of Ukraine since 2019.
Why: Kira has been an inspiration amid the Russia-Ukraine war, carrying out duties in Kyiv and sharing her loyalty through compelling social media, advocating for Ukraine’s sovereignty. She exemplifies her country’s heroic struggle for liberty and peace in face of the aggressor and desire to join the European family.
“Some people ask, ‘Can we bring our lives back?’. The answer is no. It’s terrifying to realise that. What brings us strength and courage is the idea that we can build something better for every single Ukrainian and for Europe. We are showing now how to stand up for democratic values.”
Marta Lempart
Who: Marta is a Polish women’s rights activist. Her activism centers on feminism and secularism. In 2016, she co-founded the All-Poland Women’s Strike, a social movement in support of women’s rights, during preparations for the pro-abortion-access Black Protests.
Why: Marta represents Polish women and has been one of the main driving forces behind the Women’s Strike in Poland widely known as Ogolnopolski Strajk Kobiet. She has been fighting on a daily basis for fundamental human rights which are being dangerously questioned and sometimes reversed in Poland. Within her work, she denounces discriminatory laws that, in sheer contravention of the European values, increasingly hinder women’s access to sexual reproductive health and rights.
”How do we manage to go on, when fundamental, religious groups and the government itself hates women, activism and civic engagement? The answer is that we are never alone. I never walk alone. Our international partners are always supporting us.”
Han van Baalen
Hans van Baalen, the late president of ALDE party and a historical figure for the liberal movement, left a legacy of building up EU-Taiwan economic and diplomatic relations. To commemorate his life and work, we honour him with the Values Champion (posthumous) award.
He represented the best of us. Hans van Baalen was a true liberal and a great friend. He was always coming to the Western Balkans, trying to unite nations and liberals.”
We were also pleased to officially announce a scholarship to carry his vision into the future.
Throughout his successful political career, Hans Van Baalen has been a committed defender of Taiwanese freedom and democracy. The aim of the newly launched Hans van Baalen Scholarship is to offer a junior researcher the academic framework for deepening relations between Taiwan and the European Union.