Words of Welcome by Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You
Words of Welcome by Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You at the presentation of the Prince Claus Awards at the Royal Palace Amsterdam on 14 December 2011
Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, distinguished guests and dear friends,
Welcome to you all to the 2011 Prince Claus Award Ceremony. Your Majesty, we are very grateful that once again you are extending your hospitality to us in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
Today we commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Prince Claus Fund. 15 years ago the Dutch Government honored Prince Claus for his excellent contribution to culture and development. The Fund was presented to him as a birthday gift. We are grateful that the Dutch Government continued its support for the Fund for another five years. We are aware of the honor and trust put on us to continue the legacy of Prince Claus.
Today we also celebrate 11 outstanding individuals from all over the world that will receive the Prince Claus Award for culture and development. Individuals who inspire others and are role-models in their own society. A special welcome to Ntone Edjabe to whom Prince Constantijn will present the Principal Award.
In these 15 action-packed adventurous pioneering years many things have developed and changed. What has remained the same are the core values of the Prince Claus Fund: the primacy of equality, respect and belief that people develop themselves.
The Awards are not a one-off but the beginning of a relationship. We like to stay connected to people and build connections between people as we move forward.
One of these wonderful connections is our host of today: Ghida Fakry, presenter at Al-Jazeera. Al-Jazeera received a Prince Claus Award in 1999 for Creating Spaces of Freedom by opening up channels of communication and alternative perspectives. I am happy to welcome her here today.
So what about the next 15 years. The demands on the Fund are huge and resources are limited. Now we ourselves will practice what we preach. We will develop ourselves to become excellent international cultural entrepreneurs. With a little help from all our friends and so-called prospects we will succeed. Focusing on Culture and Conflict in the world make us realize that things are not so bad here around us. It might be helpful not to take ourselves too seriously. Do away with some protocol as we fondly remember Prince Claus doing, and keep a good sense of humor.
I am very happy to welcome every year so many friends. Former laureates, advisors and project partners who have supported and advised the Fund throughout these years. Your ideas and initiatives are leading in everything the Fund undertakes.
What it tells and shows is at the core of the Prince Claus Fund: the sense of a borderless inclusivity, warm feeling, being connected and belonging.
I wish you a wonderful afternoon.
Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You
Chair of the Board of the Prince Claus Fund
"equality, respect and belief that people develop themselves"
Lilian Gonçalves–Ho Kang You about the core values of the Fund
Prince Claus Awards
view programmeThe Prince Claus Awards are presented annually to individuals, groups and organisations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean for their outstanding achievements in the field of culture and development and the positive effect of their work on their direct environment and on the wider cultural or social field.
Words of Welcome by Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You title
Words of Welcome by Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You at the presentation of the Prince Claus Awards at the Royal Palace Amsterdam on 14 December 2011
Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, distinguished guests and dear friends,
Welcome to you all to the 2011 Prince Claus Award Ceremony. Your Majesty, we are very grateful that once again you are extending your hospitality to us in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
Today we commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Prince Claus Fund. 15 years ago the Dutch Government honored Prince Claus for his excellent contribution to culture and development. The Fund was presented to him as a birthday gift. We are grateful that the Dutch Government continued its support for the Fund for another five years. We are aware of the honor and trust put on us to continue the legacy of Prince Claus.
Today we also celebrate 11 outstanding individuals from all over the world that will receive the Prince Claus Award for culture and development. Individuals who inspire others and are role-models in their own society. A special welcome to Ntone Edjabe to whom Prince Constantijn will present the Principal Award.
In these 15 action-packed adventurous pioneering years many things have developed and changed. What has remained the same are the core values of the Prince Claus Fund: the primacy of equality, respect and belief that people develop themselves.
The Awards are not a one-off but the beginning of a relationship. We like to stay connected to people and build connections between people as we move forward.
One of these wonderful connections is our host of today: Ghida Fakry, presenter at Al-Jazeera. Al-Jazeera received a Prince Claus Award in 1999 for Creating Spaces of Freedom by opening up channels of communication and alternative perspectives. I am happy to welcome her here today.
So what about the next 15 years. The demands on the Fund are huge and resources are limited. Now we ourselves will practice what we preach. We will develop ourselves to become excellent international cultural entrepreneurs. With a little help from all our friends and so-called prospects we will succeed. Focusing on Culture and Conflict in the world make us realize that things are not so bad here around us. It might be helpful not to take ourselves too seriously. Do away with some protocol as we fondly remember Prince Claus doing, and keep a good sense of humor.
I am very happy to welcome every year so many friends. Former laureates, advisors and project partners who have supported and advised the Fund throughout these years. Your ideas and initiatives are leading in everything the Fund undertakes.
What it tells and shows is at the core of the Prince Claus Fund: the sense of a borderless inclusivity, warm feeling, being connected and belonging.
I wish you a wonderful afternoon.
Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You
Chair of the Board of the Prince Claus Fund
Words of Welcome by Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You title
Words of Welcome by Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You at the presentation of the Prince Claus Awards at the Royal Palace Amsterdam on 14 December 2011
Your Majesty, Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, distinguished guests and dear friends,
Welcome to you all to the 2011 Prince Claus Award Ceremony. Your Majesty, we are very grateful that once again you are extending your hospitality to us in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
Today we commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Prince Claus Fund. 15 years ago the Dutch Government honored Prince Claus for his excellent contribution to culture and development. The Fund was presented to him as a birthday gift. We are grateful that the Dutch Government continued its support for the Fund for another five years. We are aware of the honor and trust put on us to continue the legacy of Prince Claus.
Today we also celebrate 11 outstanding individuals from all over the world that will receive the Prince Claus Award for culture and development. Individuals who inspire others and are role-models in their own society. A special welcome to Ntone Edjabe to whom Prince Constantijn will present the Principal Award.
In these 15 action-packed adventurous pioneering years many things have developed and changed. What has remained the same are the core values of the Prince Claus Fund: the primacy of equality, respect and belief that people develop themselves.
The Awards are not a one-off but the beginning of a relationship. We like to stay connected to people and build connections between people as we move forward.
One of these wonderful connections is our host of today: Ghida Fakry, presenter at Al-Jazeera. Al-Jazeera received a Prince Claus Award in 1999 for Creating Spaces of Freedom by opening up channels of communication and alternative perspectives. I am happy to welcome her here today.
So what about the next 15 years. The demands on the Fund are huge and resources are limited. Now we ourselves will practice what we preach. We will develop ourselves to become excellent international cultural entrepreneurs. With a little help from all our friends and so-called prospects we will succeed. Focusing on Culture and Conflict in the world make us realize that things are not so bad here around us. It might be helpful not to take ourselves too seriously. Do away with some protocol as we fondly remember Prince Claus doing, and keep a good sense of humor.
I am very happy to welcome every year so many friends. Former laureates, advisors and project partners who have supported and advised the Fund throughout these years. Your ideas and initiatives are leading in everything the Fund undertakes.
What it tells and shows is at the core of the Prince Claus Fund: the sense of a borderless inclusivity, warm feeling, being connected and belonging.
I wish you a wonderful afternoon.
Lilian Gonçalves – Ho Kang You
Chair of the Board of the Prince Claus Fund
