European Union
Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga is a distinguished academic and, from 1999 to 2007, was the President of Latvia
Dr Lesley-Anne Knight
Lesley-Anne Knight is the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, responsible for the management and delivery of its strategic plan
Michał Piróg
Michał Piróg is a modern dance performer, choreographer and TV personality
Tasha de Vasconcelos
Tasha de Vasconcelos’ true vocation is in her humanitarian work. She founded an international charity: AMOR (Aide Mondiale Orphelins Réconfort)
Austria
Kathrin Röggla
Kathrin Röggla is an author and radio producer. She is a passionate traveller who not only visited European countries but also countries outside of Europe such as the Iran or Yemen. In her point of view, politics of separation and social hardship have to come to an end in order to keep society together
Kurt Bergmann
Kurt Bergmann is an Austrian journalist and politician. He successfully implemented the Austrian charity projects “Licht ins Dunkel” and “Nachbar in Not”.
Ute Bock
Ute Bock has a strong background in giving aid to refugees and children with difficult family situations
Michael Chalupka
Michael Chalupka is the Director of "Diakonie" (social service arm of the church) and is strongly engaged in giving social help for people
Margit Fischer
Margit Fisher has the status of Austrian First Lady and she is personally engaged in different non-profit organizations and social networks.
Frank Hoffman
Frank Hoffman is a theatre actor who also works for the national radio and supports various charity organisations and is commited to social solidarity
Jia Liu
Liu Jia is a famous table tennis player that supports several social projects
Franz Küberl
Franz Küberl is the President of Caritas Austria since 1995 where he is inviting everyone to "walk the talk" and actively fight poverty
Konrad Paul Liessman
Konrad Paul Liessmann is professor at the Department of Philosophy and Education at the University of Vienna and has a social commitment to education.
Peter Mlczoch
Peter Mlczoch is a self-employed architect and mediator and works on urban development strategies against poverty and social exclusion
Robert Palfrader
Robert Palfrader is a very popular comedian in Austria
Reinhard Pichler
Reinhard Pichler is director of Vienna’s hospital "Barmherzige Brüder" and he is known for providing medical help to people suffering poverty.
Herbert Pochieser
Herbert Pochieser is a lawyer. His main fields of workare asylum and immigration law, tendancy law, and fundamental rights
Julya Rabinowich
Julya Rabinowich, born in St. Petersburg, but brought up in Vienna, is working as an author, artist, and simultaneous translator. She is aware of the importance of care and education as children need to have positive future aspects.
Markus Reiter
Markus Reiter is co-founder of the non-profit association neunerHAUS,which is providing accommodation for homeless people as well as care and medical support. Even during his studies he focused on social- and sociopolitical commitment.
Peter Resetarits
Due to his appearance in several Austrian media Peter Resetarits is a well-known Austrian celebrity. However, he always used the public attention to create awareness for poverty and social exclusion. In his opinion it is important to show reality.
Andrea Scherney
Andrea Scherney won the award "disability sports person of the year" several times. She is striving for integrating people with disabilities and create better conditions for them in all areas of life.
Werner Schlager
Werner Schlager is an internationally renowned table tennis player and supports the www.a-smile.cc social project that helps Austrians in need
Peter Schwarz
Peter Schwarz is actively involved in the Jewish community in various positions. He claims attention for traumatized people, including migrants, asylum seekers, and NS-victims.
Christine Stelzer-Orthofer
Christine Stelzer-Orthofer is an assistant professor at the Institute for Social Politics at the University of Linz. Her main fields of research are unemployment, poverty and labour, and social politics
Barbara Stöckl
Though she studied technical mathematics Barbara Stöckl became a well-known Austrian TV presenter, leading editor, and producer. Through her programs she intends to help people in emergency situa-tions, give hope and offer full service. Besides she is active in fundrais-ing.
Emmerich Tálos
Emmerich Tálos is professor at the Department of Government at the University of Vienna. He published several books and magazines with the main focus on the welfare state, minimum wage, and the institutionalised co-operation between the representations of employers and labour. The fight against poverty is asking for active and open-minded politics.
Günter Tolar
Günter Tolar started his career as a cabaret artist and now works among other things as an editor, moderator, and producer. Based on his personal background he fights for equal rights of homosexuals. He is politically active.
Renate Welsh-Rabady
Renate Welsh-Rabady is a writer, mainly focusing on children's literature. She was awarded with several important prizes in Austria and abroad. She is convinced that only by combating poverty, we can succeed in having a peaceful society
Willi Resetarits
Willi Resetarits became famous by assuming the pseudonym "Ostbahn Kurti". For his commitment to others, especially for his dedication to integration of migrants, he received several awards. He is also honorary president of Vienna’s Integration House
Elvira Zuleger
Elvira Zuleger is a bookseller. She already worked in many different fields, starting as a caretaker, trucker and social adviser. She has been working in a voluntary capacity for 15 years
Belgium
Hadja Lahbib
As a journalist, Hadja Lahbib is interested in social problems. As a woman, she is strongly concerned by the situation of women in precarious situations.
Roos van Acker
As someone who has seen much poverty during her travels abroad, Roos van Acker is highly motivated to be a European Year ambassador
Bulgaria
Vladimir Ampov
Graffa is a very popular Bulgarian musician (singer, song-writer, com-poser and producer)
Deyan Kamenov
He is the front man of a famous band “D_2”. The whole band and he personally have participated in many charity projects and fund raising initiatives
Sofi Marinova
Sofi Marinova is one of the most famous pop-folk singers in Bulgaria. She is of Roma origin
Cyprus
Ambassadors
There will not be any national ambassadors for the 2010 European Year for the time being
Czech Republic
Boris Šmejkal
Seller of the street paper Nový Prostor
Milena Černá
“After long time we have a chance to say that people experiencing poverty and social exclusion have right to say what they feel, what they are missing and what can help them ... and especially we have a chance to listen to them thanks to the European Year 2010.”
Selma Muhič Dizdarevič
I became the ambassador for two reasons - I can express my need to help and support the society from the academic point of view and I can also share my positive experiences in this domain.
Sri Kumar Vishwanathan
My aim for the European Year is fighting poverty through Cohesion
Katarína Klamková
Everybody is missing something. Problems of individuals do not merit disregard and unconcern
Germany
Prof. Dr. Jutta Allmendinger
Prof. Dr. Jutta Allmendinger is professor of Educational Sociology and Labour market research at the Humboldt University in Berlin
Fatmire "Lira" Bajramaj
Lira Bajramaj was born in the former Kosovo and came to Germany as a refugee when she was a child. She is a professional soccer player for the German Women’s National Team.
Bruder Paulus
Brother Paulus is a Capuchin monk, an author and show host. Since April 2009 he has been appointed as ambassador to the organisation for clerical professions and ecclesiastical services at the Capuchin convent Käppele in Würzburg.
Imke Duplitzer
Imke Duplitzer is a world champion and Olympic fencer. She is openly gay and an advocate for the social acceptance of homosexuality.
Felix Huby
Felix Huby is a journalist and author. His main interests revolve around the themes of poverty and social exclusion
Julitta Münch
Julitta Münch is a German journalist and television show host of the show "Hallo Ü-Wagen". The topics of poverty and social exclusions are often addressed on her show.
Bernd Siggelkow
Bernd Siggelkow is pastor in Berlin, in addition to founder and head of "Die Arche - Christliches Kinder- und Jugendwerk e. V." a children’s day care center with several locations all over Germany.
Reinhold Beckmann
Reinhold Beckmann is a journalist, sports-commentator and famous television host of the ARD-Talkshow "Beckmann"
Prof. Dr. Heinz Bude
Prof. Dr. Heinz Bude is a professor of Macrosociology at the University Kassel. His research is mainly in the field of generation re-search, operational research and exclusion research
Estonia
Andrus Saar
Andrus Saar is one of Estonia's well-known sociologists who has among other fields researched deeply the poverty related issues in Estonia
Riina Vändre
Already for the ninth year Riina Vändre has been doing a lot of valuable voluntary work to improve the life of homeless people
Finland
Rainer Friman
I became an ambassador because I feel the need to help
Fatbardhe Hetemaj
Why I became an ambassador: I found this and important and interesting deed
Heikki Hursti
I became an ambassador: I regard combating for poverty and social exclusion as an important issue, because in my work I see people suffereing every day
Kari Väänänen
I became an ambassador to help
Wilson Kirwa
I became an ambassador to make a difference at home and abroad
Kalle Könkkölä
I became an ambassador to protect the human rights of the disabled people
Elisabet Rehn
I became an ambassador to have a positive impact on my home country
Magga Ristenrauna
I became an ambassador to be able to awaken everyone and especially the decision-makers to think, what kind of results there are when everything is measured only by finance. We need actions and decisions that enable sharing real equality better for everyone
Olavi Sydänmaanlakka
Why I became an ambassador: First I was little confused when I was asked to become an ambassador. After I examined the themes of the EY 2010, that is combating poverty and social exclusion, I feel that this is my mission
Maria Guzenina-Richardson
I became an ambassador. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem
France
François Soulage
François Soulage is a French economist. He is one of the founders of the renewal of the social economy in France.
Hungary
Bódis Kriszta
In our time arts have significant role and responsibility in the actions for the society. We have to recognise that we are the society and we deserve such a world, what we create for us
Dóra Elek
Dóra Elek is the art director of Baltazár Theatre, the only theatre in Hungary where the actors and actresses are disabled people
Lázár Györgyné Irén
Györgyné Lázár is the office manager of Szomolyai Romákért Association, which aims at helping other people
Judit Halász
Judit Halász is a very popular actress and singer with several high-ranking honours. She is the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF in Hungary
Veronika Juhász
Veronika Juhász is the European champion in disabled fencing; she spent her childhood in an orphanage. She believes that if you want to, you can fight for independence
Ferenc Molnár “Caramel”
The young Roma singer won the second series of a talent spotter competition called Megasztár.
Eszter Pásztor
Eszter Pásztor is the leader of the mural village project at Bódavlenke, a small village in the north part of Hungary. In the village a unique art centre is being developed. In the frame of the project, Hungarian painters of Roma origin paint monumental murals. The project provides new opportunities for establishing further workplaces.
Iceland
Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir
Nina Dögg is a well known actress and co-founder of Vesturport, a successful theatre and film production company
Sigrun Juliusdottir
Prof. Dr. Sigrun Juliusdottir is professor in Social Work at the University of Iceland and has specialised in family research; child welfare; education and professional development in social work
Gretar Thorsteinsson
Mr. Thorsteinsson is the former president of the Icelandic Confederation of Labor and has been a leader in the fight for worker's rights for over three decades.
Lithuania
Veronika Povilionienė
National ambassador Veronika Povilionienė is the most famous performer of Lithuanian folk songs, has become a symbol of national culture. She is very active and has been involved in many social projects across Lithuania
Deimantė Žebrauskaitė
National ambassador Deimante Žebrauskaite is the director of the Lithuanian Food Bank. She is determined to encourage more solidarity in society and to be fully engaged in the assistance to people in need
Latvia
Gunta Anča
High level expert in disability issues. Works on disabled people policy issues, a role model that has broken a stereotype on disabled people. SUSTENTO, which has 26 member organisations, represents more than 25,000 people with disabilities in Latvia, and has the aim of promoting equal opportunity, rights protection and full inclusion for people with disabilities. Gunta is also a resource person for the Latvian Ministry of Social Welfare’s (NIB) National Council of Disability Affairs and a member of their working groups on disability law, policies and action plans.
Vija Ancāne
Famous and respected person in one of the biggest regions in Latvia – Latgale region. Owns the only “Bread museum” in the Baltics. Socially active person involved in Women NGOs.
Aigars Apinis
A. Apinis is two-time Paralympics Games Champion
Rihards Bērziņš
Singer, famous in youth audience, plays lead part in musical "Oliver!" (story about poverty). Winner of international children song contests. Involved in Latvian Child Forum activities.
Daina Jāņkalne
A journalist who has a long-term experience in reporting social is-sues. Her famous television show "Abi labi" talks about society and social problems, the program has high ratings.
Dr.hab.oec. Pārsla Eglīte
Researcher, Institute of Economics Latvian Academy of Sciences, Member of European Association for Population studies
Dr. Houssam Abou Merhi
The head of Arabian Culture society in Latvia. As a minority he has successfully integrated in Latvian culture and society and is well respected
Valdis Nagobads
President of Latvian Red Cross, spokesperson. He developed food program "Soup kitchen" for socially marginalised people groups. As an individual he is well known and recognised as an expert in social and health issues.
Normunds Skauģis
Normunds Skauģis owns a bakery. He is a famous local entrepre-neur, who can address society in general and the business audience, too. Well respected by everyone
Malta
Mr George Busuttil
General Secretary of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl Foundation (MDD)
Joseph M. Camilleri
Joe was chosen as an ambassador because over the years he has become associated in people’s mind with the struggles and aspirations of disabled people in the Maltese islands. He is also seen by many as a role model
Dolores Gauci
Ms Dolores Gauci is the Chief Executive Officer of Richmond Foundation in Malta and President of the Global Alliance of Mental Health Advocacy Networks Europe.
Dr. George Grech
Clinical Director of Government agency responsible for the provision of services as regards treatment and rehabilitation of addiction services
Helen D’Amato
The Commissioner for Children promotes the welfare of children in Malta in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Commissioner for Children Act 2003 (Malta). The Commissioner focuses on the protection of children, the promotion of children’s rights, the provision of necessary services for children, and the participation of children.
Charles Mifsud
Mr Mifsud has over 10 years work experience with homeless persons which includes the management of a therapeutic home for the homeless; Dar Patri Leopoldo (a place where the individual is helped to deal with his unique problems and not just provided with a shelter)
Marceline Naudi
Dr Marceline Naudi is the Chairperson of the National Domestic Violence Commission
Rose Sammut nee Tanti
Rose Sammut held public appointments as a Court Assistant for Juveniles (1989-1999), Board Member of Social Security Board (1993-1996), Committee Member of SEDQA, Committee on Protection from Drugs (1994). She is currently Council Secretary of the National Council for the Elderly, and worked also as International Secretary (1929–2009) and also a Committee Member with the Catholic Enquiry Centre of the Malta Emigrants Commission.
Raphael Scerri
The National Ambassador representing all job seekers seeking employment. He is the Senior Manager of the Employment Services Division with the Public Employment Service of Malta – the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).
Netherlands
Cees Meeuwis
We think that the Netherlands knows no poverty. But when you see the number of people at the Food Bank, you know that this statement is not entirely valid. These people come there for a reason. I think it's important that people should participate in society actively and with dignity.
Harrie Postma
It’s simple; when you get a chance to participate, you will integrate. No matter if you are black or white, red or purple, rich or poor. Only if you are a member of the community you can contribute to the community.
Maarten van Eekelen
As a local director with a social background I strive to help those who are less fortunate. I keep that in mind for every proposal that comes across my desk. I argue for more flexible regulations that are well known to the target audience.
Mimoun Ouled Radi
People don’t choose to be poor and/or socially excluded. It is therefore it is the responsibility of others to help the ones in need. It is from this perspective that Mimoun wants to be an ambassador.
Myra Koomen
I’m convinced that poverty can be best addressed by presenting people with opportunities, by enabling them to participate in society. This should preferably start close to home, in the neighbourhood or city quarter, in the form of volunteer work or community services. It’s important to realise that poverty is not defined entirely by financial problems. A better approach to poverty is to collaborate to achieve structural solutions that lead to participation and paid work.
René Paas
Stop poverty now’ is more than just a slogan to René Paas. It is the commitment of people to support each other
Ruud Lubbers
Poverty means more than lack of money. It puts people at a disadvantage, and often in an oppressive stranglehold. As an ambassador of the European Year of Combating Poverty and social exclusion, I encourage cooperation wherever possible.
Trinko Keen
Participation in sports clubs for children who's parents income is around the social minimum is important. We should really do something. Because sports creates confidence and self-esteem, teaches children set goals, break-through the isolation and promotes social inclusion.
Norway
Anna Holm Heide
Anna Holm Heide is soon to be the leader of the Norwegian student association (as of July 1)
Honoratte Muhanzi Kashale
Honoratte Muhanzi Kashale is the founder and leader for the organisation BIBI AMKA
Steinar J. Olsen
Steinar J. Olsen is the founder of Stormberg, a successful clothing business with an including recruitment policy
Maria Reklev
Maria Reklev is the leader of the Norwegian organisation for children involved in the government’s child welfare program
Poland
Tereliza Braun
Tereliza Braun is a senior citizen. She has been committed to helping excluded people (poor families, homeless, prisoners) for 15 years
Jolanta Fajkowska
Jolanta Fajkowska is a journalist, TV and radio publicist. She is member of Polish Journalists Association and Spokesperson of European Union of Women – Polish Section
Agnieszka Górniakowska
Agnieszka Górniakowska is a TV presenter of TVN Warszawa
Jolanta Sobczak
Jolanta Sobczak is a Director of Warsaw’s Center of Help for Family. Working as a social worker, she is interested in all kinds of activities which fight poverty and social exclusion. She wants to develop the capacity of social staff through the use of her knowledge and practice skills
Emilian Kamiński
Emilian Kaminski is an actor, director, singer, writer, founder and director of the Kamienica theatre
Lidia Lewandowska
Lidia Lewandowska is taking care of her 30 year old son, who is disabled (Downs syndrome and other diseases) and lives from the social pension. She bravely tries to provide her son with medical and social rehabilitation. She is very active in NGOs, and is currently a member of the Association for Children and Young People “Near the child ".
Jan Mela
Jan Mela is a young Polish adventurer who, as a teenage double amputee, was the youngest person to reach the North Pole in 2004, and eight months later the South Pole. In 2008 established “Beyond the Horizons” Foundation
Patricia Kazadi
Patricia Kazadi is a 22 year old polish actress, singer and dancer
ks. Stanisław Słowik
ks. Stanisław Słowik is a priest and organiser of Caritas of Kielce Diocese
Sebastian Szydlik
Sebastian Szydlik is a social worker, he is the organiser for a canteen for poor persons, as well as charity concerts and supporter of children’s houses
Portugal
Sónia Araújo
Sónia Araújo believes in this cause and she hopes to be able contribute to the change
Sandra Barata Belo
Barata Belo (Lisbon, 1979) is a Portuguese actress for Theatre, cinema and television
Boss Ac
Boss AC (real name Angelo César) is a Portuguese rapper originally from Cape Verde. Boss AC started his career in 1994
António Câmara
António Câmara is a Professor at Universidade Nova de Lisboa and has been a Visiting Professor at both Cornell University (1988-89) and MIT (1998-99). He was a Senior Consultant to the Expo98 project and Senior Advisor to the National Geographical Information System. He has been CEO and Chairman of the Board since the company was founded.
Maria Helena Vaz de Carvalho Nazaré
She was elected Rector of the University of Aveiro in 2002 and became an EUA Board member in March 2009
Fernanda Freitas
Fernanda Freitas is involved in some projects linked to young people and she wrote a book “Sem Medo, Maria” about domestic violence
Lídia Jorge
Lídia wants to promote a fair and free society
Isabel Mota
Isabel Mota is from the Administratix Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
Ricardo Pereira
Ricardo Pereira is “very happy” to be ambassador of the European Year of combating poverty and social exclusion and wants to participate in all activities and help those in need
Tereza Salgueiro
Tereza believes it is a good time to help those in need
Paula Varela dos Reis
It is important to awareness the people and shows them the differences. Paula wants to help in need
Romania
Leslie Hawke
The objective of the Ambassador for the European Year 2010: To make Romanians (government leaders, media, business community, disad-vantaged parents and the general public) aware of the importance of educating ALL of Romania’s children from an early age – for the future economic and so-cial welfare of all Romanians
Ambassadors
There will not be any national ambassadors for the 2010 European Year for the time being
Sweden
Carl Tham
Carl Tham has a long history of working for public organisations and the Swedish government. He has worked extensively with education-issues and has also been Director General for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Lena Holm
Lena is a known spokesperson for the rights of children. The organisation she represents, Majblomman, is one of Sweden’s oldest and most well renowned organisations and serves an important and humanitarian purpose
Namu Nambiar
Namu Nambiar, head of Basta Cooperative, has, after 17 years of heroin addiction created a life that she is enormously proud and happy about. She has been able to do this thanks to the support she received from Basta.
Helene Sigfridsson
Helene is a single parent to two children aged six and eight. She is the Secretary General for an organisation supporting single parents in Sweden. She is also politically active in the Green Party. Helene has extensive both personal and professional experience of the challenges that single parents face in society
Rosario Roberto Fred Ali Taikon
Rosario is a young Swedish/Italian working for roma issues since many years. He is very active on the issues and represents his background and the rights of roma within several organisations and through the association É Romani Glinda which also publishes a magazine
Slovenia
Anton Osredkar – O Tone Prvi Kralj
“People should know that poverty does not mean only to be without money, it is also to be without housing and citizen rights.”
Faila Pašić Bišić
“I want to create a new vision that will overcome the cycle of ruining the human dignity.”
Franci Rogač
“I have a personal experience of poverty and this is one of the reasons why I want to contribute to the EY2010.”
Neža Prah
“I want to let people know that being poor is not their fault.”
Robert Friškovec
“I want to contribute my share to the European year and would like to remind and encourage people to become actively involved.”
Slovakia
Ľubica Chlpíková
Ľubica Chlpíková is a single mother, and has experienced poverty
Viera Dubačová
Viera Dubačová is a theatre director and an activist in many NGOs. She works a lot with disabled people
Radovan Gumulák
Mr. Gumulak is general secretary of Caritas in Slovakia
Martin Muransky
Martin is an author, university scholar and project manager in an NGO
Janette Maziniová
Janette Maziniová works as a project manager for educational projects. She is an activist and author
Dorota Nvotová
Dorota Nvotová is a Slovak actress and vocalist. She lives half of the year in Nepal, where she helps out in an orphanage
Vladimír Sendrei
Vladimir Sendrei is a community worker, activist and musican and is active in several NGOs. His activities are focused on improving the quality of life of the Roma community
Anton Srholec
Mr. Anton Srholec is a priest, public activist and very respected personality with many activities temathically related to EY2010
Sandra Tordová
Sandra is a social activist in the NGO Proti prudu. She is also an editor of magazine "Nota Bene" sold by homeless people
Veronika Vadovičová
Veronika is a sport shooting gold medalist from Beijing paralympic games 2008
Joshua – Jozef Kanaloš
Mr. Kanalos belongs to those who were struck by poverty due to the different colour of their skin
United Kingdom
June Burrough
The Pierian Centre’s social purpose is to serve the wider community of Bristol, especially the marginalised, disadvantaged and excluded. The Centre is the first community interest company to acquire the Social Enterprise Mark.
Wayne Hemingway
Wayne Hemingway is co-founder of fashion label Red or Dead and HemingwayDesign
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