Association „Lithuanian Disability Forum“ was awarded European Citizen’s Prize 2015. The central ceremony for all the honoured 47 people/organizations/initiatives from across the EU was held on 14 October in the Parliament in Brussels.
Earlier this year, on 10 July, 2015 the national award ceremony took place at European Informational centre, Vilnius, Lithuania, where European Citizen’s medal was officially presented to Dovilė Juodkaitė, president of Lithuanian disability forum.
Since 2008 the Parliament awards the European Citizen’s Prize every year to projects and initiatives that facilitate cross-border cooperation or promote mutual understanding within the EU. The prize, which has symbolic value, is also intended to acknowledge the work of those who through their day-to-day activities promote European values, such as respect for human rights equality and nondiscrimination.
This is the first time this honourable medal from the European Parliament comes to Lithuania. MEP Vilija Blinkevičiūtė (S&D) said she is happy that this award goes to the Forum since equality and social inclusion, as well as protection of fundamental rights of persons with disabilities was always a priority for the EP.