Honor for humanity: Otmar Lahodynsky awarded the European of the Year!

Honor for humanity: Otmar Lahodynsky awarded the European of the Year!

This year's “European of the Year” Award, awarded by the non-profit organization Europe: United, rather goes to the NGO for everyone! as well as to the respected journalist Otmar Lahodynsky. Dr.in Nana Walzer, President of Europe: United, emphasized the pioneering role of both winners in the endeavor to promote solidarity and humanity in Europe. Otmar Lahodynsky, Honorary President of the Association of European Journalists, received the award for his life's work, which emphasizes the European integration and the mediation of democratic values. He is known for his book “Eu for You!”, Which prepares complex European topics in an understandable way. "In times of populism, it is more important than ever to strengthen democracy through high -quality quality journalism," said Lahodynsky, whose work deals intensively with the challenges for refugee people.

The NGO rather for everyone! has been active for the integration and formation of refugees for over a decade. Your “Prose” program enables young people to catch up with their compulsory school leaving certificate and offers support for refugee women through initiatives such as home: base. Sassan Esmailzadeh, managing director of the organization, emphasized the need for language and educational offers as an investment in a common democratic future. According to Kati Schneeberger, federal manager of the federal government of European Youth, her commitment is crucial for strengthening democracy in Europe by promoting values of integration and human rights.

relevance of the disabled policy agenda

The reporting on Lahodynsky and rather for everyone! is supplemented by the simultaneous struggle for inclusion of people with disabilities in the EU. Katrin Langensiepen, the only female MP with visible disabilities in the European Parliament, calls on to maintain human rights to participate. Despite the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities, there are still major deficits in implementation. Langensiepen calls for a strong EU strategy to promote the concerns of people with disabilities and an overarching anti-discrimination directive to combat discrimination in all areas of life. Their initiatives, such as the report on equal treatment in the labor market, try to reduce barriers for people with disabilities and enable them to be active in society, so that every voice is heard in Europe.