The 2020 North-South Prize of the Council of Europe has been awarded to the International Commission against the Death Penalty (ICDP) and to the Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC) network of the Union for the Mediterranean.
The jury acknowledged the unique contribution of the ICDP during its ten years of existence to the global trend against the death penalty and its key role in the international movement that advocates for its abolition. On the 10th anniversary of the ICDP, the North-South Prize recognises its contribution to the promotion of the most fundamental human right – the right to life; and to international solidarity and partnership. 22 personalities and 23 states from all over the world contribute to the mission of the ICDP with the purpose to act universally for the achievement of this common goal.
The jury also recognised the work of the Network of Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change (MedECC) of the Union for the Mediterranean, composed of more than 600 scientists from 35 Mediterranean and Europen countries. The MedECC network elaborated the first-ever scientific assessment on climate and environmental change impact in the Mediterranean basin. It represents a leading example of the potential of collaboration between states and societies to face the challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability, as well as a response to the need for scientific and expert cooperation to produce knowledge-based analysis as a sound basis for policy planning. Its work contributes to the promotion of the 1.5 Global Goal of the Paris Agreement in the region. The network also constitutes a concrete example of the vision of the Mediterranean Sea as a shared space of peace, development and human rights, which led to the creation, 25 years ago, of the Barcelona Process.
With this decision, the jury wishes to highlight two universal causes that are inextricably linked to the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, which constitute the main values of the Council of Europe. They also highlight the importance of partnership and cooperation in achieving common global challenges.
For further information, you can consult the Jury’s extended decision
