UN Vienna Civil Society Award

The UN Vienna Civil Society Award was jointly created by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the City of Vienna and the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs in 1997. This Award pays tribute to the prominent and supportive role of the host country of Austria and the City of Vienna in promoting the work of the United Nations, especially in light of the UN’s emphasis on strengthening outreach and partnerships with all segments of civil society.

Vienna has been one of the United Nations Headquarter cities for 25 years, hosting several UN agencies and programs. It is also the Headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PrepCom).

The 1997 reform measures in the United Nations reaffirmed UN Vienna’s role as the United Nations centre for fighting uncivil elements of society. The reform measures also emphasize strengthened outreach and partnership with all segments of civil society in the work of the United Nations. Civil society has a fundamental stake and a central role to play in the international fight against uncivil elements.

The host city of Vienna and the host country of Austria have traditionally been staunch supporters of the United Nations and, particularly, of its programmes based in Vienna. This support has found expression in numerous undertakings and measures. The United Nations Vienna Civil Society Award, with its title drawn from the name of the host city, pays tribute to the prominent supportive role of Vienna and Austria, and highlights the important work of UNODC in promoting civil society and fighting drug abuse, crime and terrorism and fostering justice and social progress.

The statutes of the UN Vienna Civil Society Award which consists of a medal, a certificate and a prize money of $60,000 specify that the prize should go to up to three individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to promoting the cause of a civil society, particularly in the areas of fighting drug abuse, crime and terrorism, and in fostering justice and social progress. Government employees and elected officials are not eligible for the award.

The recipients of the prize money are required to invest all the money into the work of the organization. To ensure that the funds are used for organizational purposes UNODC requires the recipients to submit, within six months, an accounting of how money has or is being spent.

Between 1999 and 2003 the award has recognized twelve individuals and organizations from Algeria, Burundi, Chad, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Thailand, Uganda, UK, Lithuania, South Africa, Romania, Pakistan.

The Award Selection Committee consists of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and Executive Director of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, the Austrian Federal Minister for Foreign Affaires and the Mayor of Vienna, as well as up to two distinguished personalities.