Venice, 25TH Octobre 2007
Massimo Cacciari - Man of Peace 2007
awarded for his commitment in support of the environment
by the Nobel Peace Laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel
The commission of the “Man of Peace” award, constituted by the non-profit associations “Serpaj Paz y Justicia” of the Nobel Laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel, “Action&Passion for peace”, founded by Cristiano Grandi ” in support of the activities of the Nobel Peace Laureates, and “Man for Peace” of the artist Franco Scepi
has decided to award the Man of Peace 2007
by Scepi to Massimo Cacciari, Mayor of Venice,
for the following reasons
“For having encouraged and concretely supported right from the very beginning the project promoted by the International Academy of Environmental Sciences for the foundation in Venice of an International Environmental Criminal Court; for also having always acted consistently, both as a man of culture and as a public administrator, in defence and support of human and environmental rights, with passion combined with a great sense of equilibrium and responsibility.
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“For having encouraged and concretely supported right from the very beginning the project promoted by the International Academy of Environmental Sciences for the foundation in Venice of an International Environmental Criminal Court; for also having always acted consistently, both as a man of culture and as a public administrator, in defence and support of human and environmental rights, with passion combined with a great sense of equilibrium and responsibility
“We are causing enormous damage to our mother earth, to this mother that in Latin America we call the “pacha mama”, whom we should honour but whom we are destroying day by day without considering that it is she who gives us shelter, food and all that we need to live. We are causing enormous damage to our mother earth, but the consequences and pain that will arise for us from this war against her will be even greater.
However, I believe that there is hope, that we have the capacity to organise ourselves, to develop a critical mind, independent thought, the capacity to create awareness through education and organization. Another world is possible because we believe another world is possible, because we are trying to build it. What we sow today, we will reap”.
Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Laureate
(from the Prize giving speech)