Top 50 Moments of 2017: No. 2 - IPC wins global award

The work and role of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in changing attitudes towards impairment and driving social inclusion was recognised with a prestigious major international award in October.

The IPC was awarded the LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation - in the Positive Energy category with the Specific Area of Focus on “Promotion of Harmony among Diverse Groups”.

Such global recognition for the IPC’s work, combined with the fact that the HKD 20 million (EUR 2.56 million) cash prize will be invested in projects to further boost Para sport participation and awareness around the world, is the why IPC landing the LUI Che Woo Prize is No.2 in the IPC’s Top 50 Moments of 2017.

To celebrate the award, former IPC President Sir Philip Craven was one of more than a thousand esteemed guests who attended a glittering ceremony in Hong Kong.

Sir Philip was delighted to pick up the accolade on behalf of the Paralympic Movement.

“I would just want to say how proud I am of what the IPC and Paralympic Movement has achieved to date. The IPC is no longer seen as a disability organisation but a hugely respected and credible international sports organisation that has enriched the lives of millions around the world. Thanks to this prize we can do even more to show to the world that with positive energy absolutely anything is possible in life.”

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.”

Other Lui Che Woo Prize 2017 winners included Xie Zhenhua in the Sustainability category, with the Specific Area of Focus on “Prevention of Climate Change”, and Landesa was awarded in the Welfare Betterment category, with the Specific Area of Focus on “Alleviation of Poverty”.

“The three laureates of the LUI Che Woo Prize this year, coming from different countries, are all role models in their respective fields,” said Dr. Lui Che Woo, Founder & Chairman of the Board of Governors cum Prize Council of the LUI Che Woo Prize. “They work very hard to accomplish a better tomorrow. The three laureates not only contribute to advancing world civilisation, but also fully demonstrate the spirit of “gratefulness”, “unity” and “harmony”.”

The LUI Che Woo Prize is an international, cross-sector, innovative prize. In order to address ever-evolving global needs and challenges, each year the Prize will set a Specific Area of Focus under each Prize Category.

The countdown of the Top 50 Moments will continue until 31 December.