Award winners wanted

Civil courage is required always and everywhere. Anyone can find themselves in a situation where they have to show courage. Which person(s), which situation comes to your mind?

Until July 18, the staff of KoKont (coordination and contact point in the Jena city program against xenophobia, right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism and intolerance) is accepting suggestions for the 21st Jena Prize for Civil Courage.

This prize has been awarded annually in Jena since 2002 to honor people who have demonstrated civil courage through their selfless actions. Which courageous actions inspired you to discuss with friends and family or made you think? Send your suggestions with a short justification, by mail to the team of KoKont (buero@kokont-jena.de) to. Or drop your suggestion into the KoKont mailbox at Max-Steenbeck-Str. 46, 07745 Jena.

Civil courage, as the basis of social, human rights-oriented, open societies is lived humanity and acceptance of responsibility. Unfortunately, it is not a matter of course to intervene when people are in distress or even threatened, excluded, discriminated against or treated badly. Standing up, contradicting, interfering, creating publicity and organizing help require COURAGE in any case. Possible negative consequences and reactions are subordinated to the desire to help.

But it is not only the people of the city who are called upon each year to think about the topic and submit suggestions. Jena's business community also takes a stand. Every year, a company donates the prize. This year, the prize money of 1,000 euros is donated by GODYO Enterprise Computing AG. Hans-Uwe Schramm, CEO of GODYO, commented as follows:

"GODYO itself was confronted with the effects of racism in a very concrete way in the year 2000. Exactly at that time, when we were thinking about how we could work through this for ourselves, the Jena city program against xenophobia, right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism and intolerance was being discussed in draft form. With our experience, it was an important concern for us at that time to actively support the city of Jena in the implementation of the city program. Since then, GODYO has accompanied the Prize for Civil Courage as one of the first sponsors and regularly as a supporter over the years. Maintaining the reputation of our city as a tolerant, open and international city in the interest of all is as important today as it was at the beginning of the millennium. Our employees should enjoy living and working here. And our partners and guests should continue to enjoy coming to us in Jena."

Together, the Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, KoKont and GODYO are calling on all Jena residents to submit suggestions for individuals or groups to be honored for their actions over the past year.

Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche said:

"A city society that stands up for each other, draws attention to possible grievances and courageously moves forward when injustice occurs - that's what we want to build on in Jena. The prize for civil courage is once again an important sign to make such honorable actions visible in and for Jena. I would therefore like to thank the KoKont team for this important work. And invite all citizens to submit their proposals for awards."

The award will be presented again this year together with the Charlotte Figulla Award, a competition for students and young people.

The ceremony will take place on October 14, 2022, at Jena City Hall.