Potsdam, 13 September 2024. Yesterday evening, the 20th M100 Sanssouci Colloquium came to a close with the presentation of the M100 Media Award at the Orangery Palace in Sanssouci, Potsdam. The prestigious European award went to Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo, and to Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland. The prize honours them as indispensable voices for a democratic, free society in Europe and as pioneers for a modern, stable Europe.
Professor Adam Bodnar, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Poland, represented Donald Tusk, who was unable to attend in person.
The evening was hosted by television journalist and member of the M100 Advisory Board, Astrid Frohloff.
In his welcoming address to the 200 invited international guests, Potsdam’s Lord Mayor Mike Schubert once again emphasised the great contribution that the laureates make to us all through their commitment to democracy, first and foremost in their own countries, but ultimately for all citizens of Europe: “Those who fight for freedom and democracy never fight alone. They are always fighting for all of us.
Recalling the super-election year of 2024, “when 3.6 billion people will be asked to vote – more than ever before”, he warned: “Our countries have overcome dictatorships. It hurts all the more when we look at Russia. Alexei Navalny, who fought with indomitable courage against Putin’s authoritarian regime, paid with his life. Three years ago we honoured him with the M100 Media Award.
The laudatory speeches for the awardees were delivered by former German Defence Minister and SPD leader Rudolf Scharping and former Federal President Joachim Gauck.
In his speech, Rudolf Scharping highlighted “Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu’s unwavering commitment to freedom and democracy, human rights and the rule of law”. President Osmani’s political path is an example of the strength and spirit of the people of Kosovo. “She embodies the resilience of a people rising from the ashes of war; she embodies that truth and justice always lead the way; and she embodies the courage to defy convention. Her commitment to Euro-Atlantic values is a sincere promise to the citizens she serves – a promise that their voices will be heard, their rights protected and their future secured.”
Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, who had travelled specially from Kosovo for the occasion, used her acceptance speech to thank the more than 50,000 German soldiers who have served in Kosovo over the past 25 years, including, she pointed out, Mike Schubert, now the Lord Mayor of Potsdam. The Bundeswehr ensured that my country had a chance for peace in Kosovo, that it was liberated from the apartheid regime of Slobodan Milošević, who waged a genocidal war against Kosovo, and that Kosovo could develop freely and democratically.
She continued: ‘Our ambition is to join the EU and NATO. Integration into strong alliances would help us and the country a lot, but we can also give a lot in return.
She also thanked Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who was also honoured: “Poland and Kosovo have both suffered a painful past, which has been transformed into unparalleled resilience and an unwavering commitment to democratic values. These are stories we must continue to share with the world, for the success of democracy anywhere in the world is the failure of tyranny and autocracy elsewhere.”
In his laudatory speech, Joachim Gauck highlighted Donald Tusk’s election victory against massive autocratic opposition: ‘The autocratic camp has been deprived of power by democratic means. This victory is significant far beyond Poland’s borders. It shows that it is not inevitable that populist, xenophobic, anti-European forces will permanently capitalise on people’s fears and insecurities.
It shows that democrats can organise majorities if they take into account people’s need for freedom and security (….). We wish him good luck in this difficult phase for Poland!”
Professor Adam Bodnar began by thanking the ECCHR on behalf of Donald Tusk for the award and recalled Poland’s role in overcoming the Iron Curtain: ‘Thirty-five years ago, Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki gave his inaugural speech to parliament after the first free elections. At the time, Poland triggered a revolution throughout Central and Eastern Europe, and soon after, the people of East Germany also began their exodus to the West. A few weeks later, the Berlin Wall fell.’
He also recalled the period prior to Donald Tusk’s re-election: ’Between 2015 and 2023, there was a profound erosion of fundamental guarantees of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. It is only thanks to the tireless efforts of Polish citizens, the unwavering commitment of civil society, the courageous stance of our judges and prosecutors and, finally, the loyal cooperation of the opposition parties that Poland has been able to regain its democracy. The date of 15 October 2023 now stands alongside the decisive date of 4 June 1989 in the annals of our political history (…). After these eight painful years, we are more aware than ever that democracy is fragile. It cannot be taken for granted.
It requires constant vigilance and defence.”
The M100 Sanssouci Colloquium, which took place during the day, was entitled “Democracy under Attack. Disinformation Campaigns, AI and the Role of the Media in the Super Election Year 2024“. Around 80 international editors-in-chief, academics and representatives from politics and civil society discussed the impact of disinformation, Europe’s ability to defend itself, the transatlantic partnership, the state of democracy, the opportunities and threats of artificial intelligence and the role of journalists in a complex and increasingly complicated world.
Dr Anna Wieslander, Director for Northern Europe at the Atlantic Council, opened the roundtable at the long table in the Orangery of Sanssouci Palace. In her opening remarks, she spoke of Russia as a systemic threat to Europe, to which we must respond with entirely new solutions to maintain peace and prosperity.
In the afternoon, participants were invited to a Special Talk. In cooperation with POLITICO, Adam Jasser (Deputy Director for News, TVP World, Poland), Tanit Koch (Journalist, Focus, Germany), Jakob Hanke Vela (Senior Correspondent, POLITICO) and Olga Rudenko (Editor-in-Chief, The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine) discussed the US presidential race two days after the TV debate between the two candidates. The discussion was moderated by Jürgen Klöckner (Head of Pros and Senior Political Reporter, POLITICO Germany).
The M100 Media Award has been presented since 2005 as part of the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium. Past awardees include Lord Norman Foster, Bernard Kouchner, Bob Geldof, Ingrid Betancourt, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Kurt Westergaard, Vitali Klitschko, Charlie Hebdo, Roberto Saviano, Natalia Sindeeva, Nicola Sturgeon, Alexei Navalny, the People of Ukraine, and the Women, Life, Freedom Movement of Iran.
Photo: Rudolf Scharping, Dr Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, Professor Adam Bodnar, Joachim Gauck (from left to right)
© M100/Ulf Büschleb
