Glamorous gala evening for the first St. Moritz Award

Adolf Ogi presents the international awards for outstanding work in the area of charity and humanitarian aid

Prize-winners Kerry and Christopher Kennedy and their families attend the ceremony in person

Daniele Massaro accepts the prize on behalf of A.C. Milan Foundation

St. Moritz, 31 March 2010 – The first St. Moritz Award was presented at a glamorous gala evening held in St. Moritz on Saturday 27 March. Mary Kerry Kennedy and her brother Christopher Kennedy accepted the St. Moritz Award from Adolf Ogi, former President of Switzerland. Daniele Massaro, a former world champion football player, accepted the award as ambassador of the A.C. Milan Foundation. The St. Moritz Award is the first of its kind to honour international celebrities who use the privileges they enjoy through their personal fame for the good of others, by making a significant contribution in the area of charity and humanitarian aid. Around 250 VIP guests attended the award ceremony in glamorous surroundings. Some 30 representatives from the global media were also there to report on the event.

Kerry Kennedy accepted the award in recognition of the valuable work done by the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation of Europe in the area of international human rights. The Robert F. Kennedy Foundation (RFK) engages in long-term partnerships with human rights activists to initiate and support sustainable social justice movements. Established by Kerry Kennedy in 1987, RFK employs a professional human rights staff and utilizes the Kennedy family and its networks to realize the changes its partner activists seek. The focus is on overcoming social injustice, changing the policies and actions of governments or political and financial institutions, and generally raising public awareness of human rights issues.

Mary Kerry Kennedy commented: “I learned to ski in St. Moritz and our family is very attached to Switzerland. I am delighted to accept this prestigious St. Moritz Award, which is not intended for me personally, but for all my staff and all the people and organisations worldwide who fight for human rights.”

The second award winner, A.C. Milan Foundation, uses its privileged position as one of the world's most famous football clubs to support humanitarian projects. The Foundation mainly funds international projects that provide sanitation and better medical care to disadvantaged people. Since it was set up in 2003, the Foundation has supported over 60 individual projects to the tune of more than EUR 4.5 million.

Daniele Massaro said: “We are very proud to have been honoured by the St. Moritz Award, which motivates all our staff and ambassadors to continue their work and provide better living conditions for people in need across the world.”

Both winners received an award, designed by the international artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, at the gala evening last Saturday in Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz. The popular Italian singer Milva inspired the audience with a gripping performance of her popular hits. She gave impressive interpretations of songs by major stars such as Edith Piaf, Andrew Lloyd Weber and Lucio Dalla, among others.

The initiative for the St. Moritz Award came from the two entrepreneurs Alexandra della Porta Rodiani and Maura Wasescha, who have received support for their cause from the regional tourism organisation Destination Engadin-St. Moritz and the local tourist board Kurverein St. Moritz, as well as important partners with local roots such as the gourmet chef Reto Mathis and the “Hotelier of the World” and managing director of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, Hans Wiedemann.

Former Swiss President Adolf Ogi, President of the Honor Committee of the St. Moritz Award commented: “I was immediately inspired by the idea of supporting a greater commitment in the area of humanitarian initiatives and to raise public awareness of this issue!”

The winners are assessed every year through close collaboration between the organisers of the St. Moritz Award and the Honor Committee. Winners of the St. Moritz Award are then invited to join the Honor Committee and automatically take part in selecting the nominees for next year's award.

The members of the Honor Committee of the St. Moritz Award 2010 are:
Adolf Ogi (former President of Switzerland)
Milva (singer and actor)
Ornella Vanoni (singer and actor)
Murat Yakin (footballer)
Carla Fracci (prima ballerina)
Arnaldo Pomodoro (artist)

Photos:
Photos of the event and the award ceremony can be downloaded free of charge from the official website http://www.stmoritz-award.com/media/picture-gallery.html or ordered from the agency face-to-face: www.facetoface.de

Press contact for the St. Moritz Award:
Barino Consulting
Siro Barino and Stefan Mathys
info@barino.ch
+41 44 390 42 42
+41 79 335 24 24