Finland Times

 

 

The Ministry of Justice on Wednesday solicited nominations from interested individuals, associations or groups for the biennial Democracy Award.

 

A press release of the ministry said nominations for award winners will be accepted until 30 August.

 

The theme of this year’s Democracy Award is local democracy. Nominations may be submitted by private individuals, associations and other organizations, according to the press release.

 

The award, 10,000 euros, will be divided among four winners. One of the winners will be elected by a public vote, and the remaining three will be selected by a jury consisting of three public figures.

 

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on 14 October, the Democracy Day. A seminar will also be held in Helsinki on the day in connection with the award.

 

Short video films of the winners will be shown at the ceremony. Democracy Day is celebrated as part of the European Local Democracy Week, an event launched by the Council of Europe.

 

The Democracy Award is presented biennially and the objective is to increase awareness of civic society and to identify best practices for fostering active citizenship.

 

It is important to draw attention to the forms of action and the actors that promote local democracy because the future of democracy depends on the opportunities and willingness of citizens to make a difference in their local environments and in society at large.

 

The Ministry of Justice coordinates the work behind the Democracy Award. This year, partners include the Ministry of Finance, the Finnish Slot Machine Association, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, the Finnish Federation of Settlement Houses, and Yle morning TV. The President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö is the patron of the award.

 

The previous Democracy Award, presented in 2012, was on the theme of participation and opportunities for children and young people to influence decision-making.