Henriette Reker receives recognition for the excellence and courage of her work in promoting freedom, solidarity and equality in Cologne.
Henriette Reker, the Mayor of Cologne, was today named as the first winner of the award created in honour of Mayor Paweł Adamowicz of Gdańsk. The decision of the jury was announced today 14 January in Gdansk, commemorating the third anniversary of the murder of Paweł Adamowicz in January 2019. An official award ceremony will take place in Brussels on 27 January 2022 at the Committee of the Regions (CoR) with the participation of all award partners – the CoR, the City of Gdansk, The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) and with an address by the Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová.
Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania Region and President of the EPP-CoR Group said "I am pleased that our nomination of Mayor Reker met the approval of the jury, awarding her for her exceptional work in promoting equality, non-discrimination as well as for her fight against intolerance, hate speech and xenophobia. She has worked tirelessly to stimulate diversity, solidarity and integration as an integral part of Cologne's identity." Geblewicz added that Paweł Adamowicz’s courage and determination to fight intolerance, radicalisation, and hate-speech as well as his perseverance and dedication to promote democracy, solidarity, freedom, equal opportunities, and fundamental rights is an example for all to follow. He stressed "It is our duty to showcase his legacy to the future generations as an example of the European way of life."
In her reaction, Henriette Reker said that she was honored to receive the award in remembrance of Adamowicz who was a firm believer of the free press and the right of everyone to voice their opinion openly. Reker said "Mayors all across Europe face challenges such as racism and anti-Semitism. Violence never was and will never be a solution. It will always be the first step in the wrong direction. Let us all stand together for peace, open dialogue and unity." Watch her full message here.
The Mayor of Gdańsk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, said "The Paweł Adamowicz Award is a tribute and recognition to individuals who are brave and fair in counteracting intolerance, radicalisation, hate speech, terror and xenophobia. For those who promote equal opportunities, social inclusion and fundamental human rights in their communities and the world. For those who draw inspiration from the legacy of Paweł Adamowicz and take it further."
Background:
Paweł Adamowicz was stabbed on 13 January 2019 while speaking at a charity event. He died from his injuries the following day. He was 53 years old. His murder was preceded by a rise in hate speech directed at him. His death prompted a debate about the contribution of the degeneration of public discourse to violence, extremism, propaganda and intolerance. His last words, uttered just before he was attacked, were: "Gdańsk is generous, Gdańsk shares its good, Gdańsk wants to be a city of solidarity. This is a wonderful time to share the good. You are loved. Gdańsk is the most wonderful city in the world. Thank you!" Further information about Paweł Adamowicz and the anniversary of his assassination can be found here.
Reker is the first elected female mayor of Cologne. In her work in the last 20 years, as deputy mayor and since 2015 as Mayor of Cologne, she has promoted diversity, solidarity and integration into an integral part of Cologne's identity. In 2015 Reker survived a xenophobic-motivated knife attack which was a reaction to her commitment for helping migrant communities and their integration. This act of violence has not prevented the mayor from continuing to sustain her values and back them with concrete projects, fully in line with the spirit of the Adamowicz Award.