Since its establishment in 2008 by the European Parliament, the European Citizen's Prize honours exceptional achievements, initiatives, and activities which serve to facilitate cross-border cooperation promote mutual understanding within the European Union or are committed to fulfilling the provisions made in the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union. We are delighted to announce that the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation has been named as one of the laureates of this prestigious prize.
We are delighted to find out that the charitable work of our Foundation, which aims to improve the conditions in Polish hospitals, has been acknowledged by the European Citizen's Prize Committee.
"The news of the award brings us great joy, especially, if one considers that our work is intertwined with Poland being one of the member states of the European Union. We hold European values very close to our heart, and the ideals of community, togetherness and mutual understanding and respect are the cornerstones of our activity and work", says Jurek Owsiak, founder and chairman of the charity.
The Prize is awarded to both individuals and organizations from the member states of European Union. Every Parliament member has the right to nominate one candidate, which are later on rated in order of preference, and the final decision is made by the central jury headed by the European Vice President Sylvie Guillaume. The official ceremony will take place in autumn in Brussels, where laureates from each country will have an opportunity to be recognised for the vital work they do.
"The fact that we can speak about Poland in such a positive context makes us especially proud", concludes Jurek Owsiak.
The merry tunes of the Great Orchestra reach the world's ends! Our melody of solidarity and friendship will once again play across the globe thanks to our amazing volunteers. What are the colours of the wind coming from both the poles?
On 9 May in Poland, we celebrate the Ophthalmologists and Ophthalmology Day – a very special date for the GOCC Foundation. Since 2001 we have run the Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity Programme!
Five days before the 32nd Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, we visited the 'Pomnik - Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka' (Children's Memorial Health Institute) to ceremoniously inaugurate the first Ophthalmic Simulation Laboratory in Europe dedicated exclusively to the field of peadiatric ophthalmology.
