European Citizen’s Prize for Matthäus Weiß, the Chairman of the Association of German Sinti and Roma in Schleswig-Holstein
26.09.2018Matthäus Weiß, the regional chairman of Verband Deutscher Sinti und Roma in Schleswig-Holstein is one of four German winners of this year’s European Citizen’s Prize. Since 2008, the European Parliament has awarded this prize every year to projects and initiatives that facilitate cross-border cooperation or promote mutual understanding within the EU. The prize, which has symbolic value, is also intended to honour the work of those who promote European values through their daily work.
It is a great honour for FUEN that the chairman of Verband Deutscher Sinti und Roma in Schleswig-Holstein, who is also the Vice Chairman of the FUEN Member Organisation the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma, received the award at this year’s ceremony on 24 September at the European House in Berlin.
The Association of German Sinti and Roma in Schleswig-Holstein with its chairman Matthäus Weiß has achieved a stronger integration of Sinti and Roma in Schleswig-Holstein through outstanding commitment. This was attained by numerous culture and education projects, which contributed to a better mutual understanding. The regional association and its chairman also work closely together with the Danish minority in Schleswig, the German minority in southern Denmark and the Frisian ethnic group.
Matthäus Weiß said in his acceptance speech that this is a recognition not only for himself but also for his whole community. The regional chairman of the Association of German Sinti and Roma mentioned that he wouldn’t like to live in a world where people are discriminated, persecuted or locked away because of the tone of their skin or the language they speak, and that no one should live in such a world. According to Mr. Weiß, we have to trust each other and speak openly, because change can only be achieved if we work together.
FUEN congratulates Mr. Weiß and the Association of German Sinti and Roma in Schleswig-Holstein for the prize.
SAJTÓKÖZLEMÉNYEK
- “Talking Money” – 9th Forum of European Minority Regions Focuses on Cross-Border Cooperation
- Interview: Sonja Wolf on the Role of Minorities in Cross-Border Cooperation
- Interview: Dr Georg Lun on the Economic Importance of Linguistic Diversity in South Tyrol and Beyond
- Meeting in South Tyrol: Minorities without a kin-state call for greater visibility of their languages at major events
- Press Release On the European Court of Justice’s final decision on the Minority SafePack Initiative
- 11th Annual Meeting of FUEN TAG was hosted by the Turkish community in Bulgaria
- Brochure of the FUEN Education Working Group Published
- New FUEN Report: Empowering Minority Women in Europe
- FUEN TAG Spokesperson Habip Oğlu met with Ambassador Vaqif Sadıqov, Head of Mission of Azerbaijan to the European Union
- FUEN Congress 2025 to take place in Bozen/Bulsan/Bolzano