Honored the laureates of the "Human Development Award"

December 14 - Award for the Human Development Award. The prize is awarded to honor Latvian people, organizations and companies for their contribution to human growth. Patron of the Prize Competition - President of Latvia Raimonds Vējonis.

The "Human Development Award in Latvia" award was presented for the fifth time this year, since 2014, when it was founded to accentuate human growth or human development in order to respond to negative demographic trends such as depopulation, high income inequality, depopulation and the high proportion of children in institutional care.

“We have a wonderful opportunity to thank the laureates for their contributions to their fellow countrymen and for their country. With the help of the prize contest, we try to highlight initiatives that serve as inspiration for others to participate in nationally important processes, ”says Kristīne Zonberga, Director of the Latvian Civic Alliance.

The awards ceremony honored people, organizations and companies who invested their work, time and energy in the growth, health and well-being of the Latvian population. The Prize was organized by the Latvian Civic Alliance, the US Embassy in Latvia and the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia.

The ceremony was opened by Reinis Bērziņš, Chairman of the Board of ALTUM, Nancy Baikofi Petit, US Ambassador to Latvia, Arnis Kākulis, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Latvia, Māris Simons, Consultant of the Development Planning Department of the Cross-Party Coordination Center and Kristīne Zonberga, Director of the Latvian Civic Alliance.

The awards were presented in four categories:

• Social Responsibility Award was given to Marika Ģederte, the patroness of the Children's Palliative Care Society. With the help of Marika, money was collected for the "Angel Camp" for families with incurably ill children and their family members. A tennis charity tournament was organized with the aim of attracting donations to the Children's Palliative Care Society. She has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship (Rotary International, 2016) award.

• Outstanding Commitment to Education Award was given to Anna Kupre, a teacher at Galen Elementary School. She is working for 38 years at the Galen Elementary School. Most of them are deputy director of education. At work, Anna is accurate, collegiate, tolerant, and able to inspire her colleagues. The teacher teaches chemistry, geography and is the leader of folk dance collectives. In the last 10 years, the students of the school have successfully started the chemistry Olympics.

• Exemplary Contribution to Health and Well-Being Award was received to “The Foundation for Children's Hospital”, founded in 2001 with the aim of improving children's health, received an award for outstanding health and well-being. The Fund's contribution to improving children's health in Latvia is significant and many positive changes in the healthcare system have been possible thanks to the Foundation's initiative and work.

• The Future of Latvia Award was received to The Association “Kraslava Mothers Club”. Three years ago, the association established four active Kraslava mothers to become a source of support, inspiration and learn how to nurture a healthy, harmonious child. Associates are active not only in the field of early childhood education, parent information support, new mothers socialization, family physical and psychological health, but also addressing issues of local patriotism, intergenerational collaboration, innovative knowledge and skills acquisition and transfer of experience.
  

The winners of the competition received the sculpture "Sprout" created by sculptor Olga Šilova.

The event was made possible by partners, sponsors and supporters: Abbvie, Altum, Hamid Ladvillon with family and Maxima.