Bob Geldof KBE – M100 SANSSOUCI COLLOQUIUM

Bob Geldof KBE

The M100 Sanssouci Media Award 2007 was awarded to the musician, Africa activist and founder of Live AID, Bob Geldof.

The prize-giving ceremony took place as part of the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium in Potsdam at the Schloss Theatre of the Neue Palais on 7 September 2007. The award was given by the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium Board in recognition of his personal service to the causes of freedom and human relief and especially the struggle against poverty and disease in Africa. The laudatio was given by Giovanni di Lorenzo, publisher of the weekly “Die Zeit“. Geldof is “a do-gooder in the best sense of the word“, said di Lorenzo in his speech and particularly emphasised his personal commitment to peace, humanitarian aid and his fight against poverty in Africa. In his acceptance speech Bob Geldof called upon Germany to play a leading role in overcoming poverty. This country and its economy had still not yet recognised the enormous significance of the African continent.

The Federal Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) in his speech beforehand had warned the media against coverage that was simply sensational rather than factual.

The M100 Media Award, presented for the third time within the context of the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium, the international media gathering in Potsdam, honours European personalities who have left their footprint in Europe and the world. The unendowed prize recognises the prizewinner’s service to the safeguearding of freedom of expression as well as their outstanding achievements in promoting understanding and communication. In 2005 the laureate was Norman Foster and last year the physician and politician Dr. Bernard Kouchner, founder of “Médecins Sans Frontières” and currently French Foreign Minister, was honoured.

I am very moved, especially because I was not expecting to hear these words, which are like an embrace for me. So I want to thank you for this award, for the incredibly moving words of Giovanni di Lorenzo, for this wonderful sky that has welcomed me to Potsdam, and also to thank the Federal Chancellor for her touching words, and for her encouraging presence. Because the awareness raised heartens me a lot more than words. Roberto Saviano, M100 Media Award laureate 2016
It is a great honour for me to be here and receive this great price. It's a very big day for me. I thank Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dr. Joachim Gauck for the kind and strong words, and for their appreciation. Thank you, I will never forget this day! Kurt Westergaard, danish cartoonist, M100 Media Award laureate 2010
At the same time, today’s prize is an appeal to all persons who hold positions of responsibility in governments, in culture and in the media: be steadfast, value-oriented and also COURAGEOUS when irresponsible persons and powers undermine or relativise our values of freedom. It is a virtue to yield to a convincing argument, but it is cowardice to yield to a threat from enemies of freedom. Joachim Gauck in his laudation to Kurt Westergaard, 2010
I receive [this award] with an immense joy, happiness and humility also, because I think by being with you today here, I am receiving this price in the name of those who are still suffering in the jungle of Colombia and of those in the world that are living in similar conditions and who cannot speak for themselves freely. Ingrid Betancourt, M100 Media Award laureate 2008
But I have to say that in our modern society the media has a very, very particular responsibility, also for the European idea. And I hope that the event today – and the events which will follow – will help us to communicate better, to explain better and to convince people that Europe – and acknowledging all the problems, the mistakes and the deficits – […] that at the end of the day the idea of European integration is the best idea that we have ever developed in our history. Günther Verheugen, former EU-Commissioner, in his keynote speech 2005

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