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Media releases > Alcan Prize shortlist announced
(4 February 2004)
International development charity VSO has been named to the shortlist for the US$1 million Alcan Prize for Sustainability by The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF). Of the many organizations from 59 countries around the world, 10 organizations made the shortlist of candidates being considered for the million-dollar Alcan Prize.
Lucy Caldicott, Head of Fundraising at VSO said: We are thrilled to be on the shortlist for the Alcan Prize for Sustainability. Winning the prize or an Alcan Grant would be a major impetus for our work. The money will go towards supporting our volunteers who are working in 34 of the world’s poorest countries, sharing their skills and working with partners to have a sustainable impact on the community.
Alcan Inc, a global leader in aluminum and packaging, created the Alcan Prize for Sustainability in 2004 to recognize outstanding contributions to the goal of economic, environmental, and social sustainability by not-for-profit, non-governmental, and civil society organizations.
Daniel Gagnier, Senior Vice President, Corporate and External Affairs, Alcan Inc said:
The Alcan Prize for Sustainability demonstrates our deep belief that the international goal of sustainable development is best served when all sectors – business, NGO’s, and governments work together. On behalf of Alcan, I extend our congratulations to VSO and wish them every success in the final phase of the competition.
To ensure credibility and objectivity, Alcan engaged the IBLF to manage the Alcan Prize for Sustainability. Since the closing date for entries, the IBLF has coordinated Assessment Panels in the UK, Hungary, India, and Canada to review entries and select the shortlist. The Adjudication Panel, chaired by Achim Steiner, Director General of The World Conservation Union, and composed of international experts in sustainability, fully endorsed the 10 shortlisted organizations and the assessment process. Alcan does not have a voice in the assessment or selection of Alcan Prize applicants.
The Adjudication Panel will now conduct an in-depth review of the shortlist and select the winner of the Alcan Prize and up to four recipients of Alcan Grants. These US$15,000 Grants will allow a senior representative of each selected organization to earn a post-graduate certificate in Cross Sector Partnerships from the University of Cambridge. The Alcan Prize winner and Alcan Grant recipients will be announced in early 2006.
Founded in 1958, Voluntary Service Overseas is the largest organization of its kind worldwide, with 1,500 volunteers. VSO is an international development charity that combats global poverty and disadvantages in some of the world’s poorest countries by bringing people together to share their skills, learning, and creativity. VSO’s volunteers are a diverse group ranging in age from 18-75. VSO was voted International Development Charity of the Year in the 2004 Charity Awards for its efforts in globalising volunteering.
Media contact:
For more press information please contact Abigail Fulbrook or Neera Dhingra in the VSO Press Office.
The full short list for the Alcan Prize for Sustainability is:
- Aga Khan Planning and Building Services, Karachi, Pakistan
- Bioplaneta, Mexico City, Mexico
- Ecotrust Canada, Vancover, Canada
- Global Nature Fund, Rodolfzell, Germany
- Magic Bus, Mumbai, India
- Oasis Association, Claremont, South Africa
- Practical Action, Rugby, UK
- Rainforest Alliance, New York, USA
- Roundabout Outdoor, Johannesburg, South Africa
- VSO, London, UK
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