White Crow Awards 2009

The award ceremony was held on November 17th, 2009 at the PKO in Bratislava.

VIA IURIS - Center for Public Advocacy and Fair Play Alliance awarded this year's White Crow Awards. The ceremony was held in the PKO, in Bratislava during a special concert to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. The White Crow Awards were presented right after the performance of the music band, the Plastic People of the Universe.

The White Crow Awards are given out as an honor of appreciation and gratitude to all of the people who try to make our society better. The recipients of the award have proved and demonstrated their courage, exceptional sense for justice, public good and a never ending belief in principles. Moreover, these people in the process of overcoming great barriers have put themselves at great personal risks.

The jury that selected this year's award winners was from a list of nominees that was submitted by the organizers. This jury consisted of: priest Ján Krstiteľ Balázs, journalist Tina Čorná, philosopher Egon Gál, law professor Alexandra Krsková, psychologist Gustáv Matijek, and 2008 White Crow Award winners Alexander Mojš and Jaroslav Pavlovič.

The winners of the White Crow Award 2009 are:

1) Judge Jana Dubovcová and civic association of judges for their long-term and enduring advocacy of principles and professional and personal bravery proven in the judiciary

2) Psychiatrist Jozef Hašto and attorney Roman Kvasnica who have provided long-term medical and legal help to Hedviga Malinová - a Hungarian student who was physically attacked by unknown attackers in 2006.

3) Employees of the National Park Nízke Tatry Administration, who stood up for professional opinion and presented it publicly despite the risk of loss of employment.

After the ceremony, there were three debates that were held in the Literary Cafè on the 1st Floor in PKO with the 2009 White Crow Award winners:

1. Panel: Sick Courts, guest speakers: Jana Dubovcová, and Alexander Mojš
2. Panel: How does the Manipulation of Public Opinion Work?, guest speakers: Jozef Hašto, and Egon Gál
3. Panel: Do Money and Power Ruin the Environment?, guest speakers: Jaroslav Pavlovič, Marian Jašík and Eva Kováčechová (an attorney cooperating with VIA IURIS.

Pezinok Citizens, and Judge Alexander Mojš, became the first White Crow Award winners last year at the Bažant Pohoda festival. For more information, click here.