The IPC wins major international prize

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has been named as one of three laureates for the prestigious LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation which was announced at a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday (22 August).

The Paralympic Movement’s global governing body has been awarded the Positive Energy Prize for “its outstanding work in proactively encouraging Para athletes in celebration and competitive participation in sports, offering hope to people with an impairment, and changing society’s long-held biases towards them. The IPC has successfully promoted harmony among diverse groups and radiated positive energy around the globe.”

The citation of the LUI Che Woo Prize to the IPC reads:

“The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is awarded the LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 in the Positive Energy category, with the Specific Area of Focus on “Promotion of Harmony among Diverse Groups”.

“The IPC has had a tremendous positive impact by bringing together Para athletes from around the world in celebration and competitive participation in sports. In doing so it has helped to change long-held biases towards people with an impairment and made the Paralympic Games a symbol of social inclusion and awareness.

“Founded in 1989, the IPC has transformed itself from a small disability sports organisation into one of the world’s most widely respected sports organisations, making the Paralympic Games comparable to the Olympic Games. It is able to feature the world’s best Para athletes, who have gone on to become global heroes. Its work has resulted in massive infrastructure improvements for people with an impairment, substantially increased funding for Paralympic sports, and major improvements in athlete training and performance.

“The IPC and the Paralympic Movement have inspired and offered hope to so many, making what was once perceived as impossible “possible”, and in so doing generated enormous positive energy. Over the years, the Paralympic Games have dissolved barriers, making for a more inclusive society through achievement and excellence in sports, and celebrating the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and challenges.”

Dr. Lui Che Woo, Founder & Chairman of the Board of Governors and Prize Council of the LUI Che Woo Prize said, “On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire adjudication faction of the Prize, we would like to offer our heartiest congratulations to the three laureates, who are the best in their respective fields. We would like to thank the three laureates for their contributions to the world, and sincerely hope that they will continue their work and serve as influential role models for world civilisation, benefitting more people in the future.”

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President said: “The IPC is totally ecstatic to receive this award. For our organisation to receive the Positive Energy Prize and to be recognised by such a pre-eminent award, and by the group of people that selects the award, and to be part of the thinking of Mr. Lui is just tremendous. The award identifies that our prime driving force is our Paralympic spirit, but the other name for the Paralympic spirit is "Positive Energy". So it's great that these two sets of thinkers and actors can come together. It's a great honour.”

The two other laureates of the LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 are:

• Mr. Xie Zhenhua, who was awarded the Sustainability Prize for his crucial role in championing international negotiations, culminating in the successful conclusion of the Paris Agreement in 2015, and his efforts in leading and promoting the prevention of climate change within China, thus becoming a model for other developing economies. Mr. Xie has made remarkable contributions to the prevention of climate change.

• Landesa has been awarded the Welfare Betterment Prize for its promotion of the idea of “land to the tiller” and its success in securing land rights for over 120 million of the world’s poorest families in more than 50 countries over the past 50 years. Landesa has made outstanding contributions to the alleviation of poverty by embracing the concept of “helping people to help themselves”.

The LUI Che Woo Prize is an international, cross-sector, innovative prize that advances with the times. To address ever-evolving global needs and challenges, the Prize will set a Specific Area of Focus under each Prize Category every year.

Nomination is by invitation only. The LUI Che Woo Prize will send invitations to more than 1,000 nominators, including heads of universities, academic institutions and professional organisations. Nominations will be considered regardless of race, religion and nationality (for individuals), or place of establishment (for organisations).

To find out more about the LUI Che Woo Prize, please visit the official website.