Strong institutions - next to peace and justice are the 16th goal of Sustainable Development. The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation was a founding organisation at first. The objective of the Foundation is "to take action for health protection, to save lives of people who suffer from diseases, especially children, and to promote health and preventive healthcare". Later on, the "Orchestra" became the institution itself, a permanent institution in Polish public life. Timothy Snyder on the meaning of institutions said: strong institutions are necessary for the democratic order and peace in society. You are fulfilling - together with a brilliant team of colleagues and volunteers - tasks not only in terms of the basic statutory activities. You are creating an institution that far exceeds the minimum standard. What is more, you create the ideals of ethical standards. Each goal of Sustainable Development has its icon. And the GOCC Foundation became such an icon too. Restless, but after all (fortunately, only to a certain extent) well balanced Jerzy Owsiak and his Orchestra hold a unique title which will allow them to match their iconic image with the icon for Sustainable Development. And the UN institution may be proud to have Jerzy Owsiak as the ambassador of this unique project.  

- Mirosław Wyrzykowski - Polish lawyer, holding the PhD in Law, retired judge at the Constitutional Tribunal, extraordinary professor at the University of Warsaw, former dean of the Law and Administration Faculty at the University of Warsaw, in the years 2011-2015 the chairman of the Law Unit at PAN (Polish Academy of Sciences)