Fondation du Mérite européen
The Fondation du Mérite Européen was created in Luxembourg in 1970 by François VISINE(†), a senior French NATO official. The Fondation is a Luxembourg non-profit making association whose Président d'Honneur is the Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy, Monsieur Xavier BETTEL. The President of the Board of Directors is Monsieur Jacques SANTER, former Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy, former President of the European Commission and Ministre d’État. The object of the Fondation is to recognise the achievements of individuals, or occasionally organisations, for their outstanding contribution to the advancement of the European ideal or for particular achievements of a transnational nature, over and above their strict professional achievements.
Traditionally, the Fondation has awarded medals (Gold, Silver and Bronze) to nationals of many European Union (EU) countries over many years. In 2010, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Fondation, a special decoration of 'Le Grand Collierwas created as the highest decoration, and awarded to HRH Grand Duke Henri in the name of all Luxembourg citizens. The Presidents of the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament and the once Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Juncker each receivedLe Collier'.
Many countries have instituted an Order of Merit to honour their citizens but the Fondation du Mérite européen is the only officially recognised Order of Merit on a European basis. The rôle of the Fondation is to be expanded to respond to Europe’s current challenges by organising and participating in University and other conferences which promote the European ideal, especially amongst the younger members of society. The Fondation has recently entered into a partnership agreement with the Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l’Europe (CVCE) and has concluded a cooperation agreement with the University of Luxembourg. The Fondation also works closely with the European Union institutions, especially the European Commission in Luxembourg. The Fondation intends to create, in 2015, an Association of Medallists (those who have already been awarded Gold or Silver medals) in order to involve them and make use of their talents and expertise to promote further the European ideal.
08/ 2014
Current Awards
The seven classes of award are, in descending order of seniority:
- Le Grand Collier
- Le Collier
- ''La Médaille d'Or (English: Gold Medal)
- ''La Médaille d'Argent (English: Silver Medal)
- ''La Médaille de Bronze (English: Bronze Medal)
- ''Le Diplôme d'Honneur (English: Diploma of Honour)
- ''Le Diplôme de Reconnaissance (English: Diploma of Recognition)
List of Members and their positions held
Name |
Position Held |
|---|---|
Monsieur Jacques SANTER |
President of the Board of Directors |
Mr Michael CHAMIER |
President of the Executive Board |
Madame Simone BEISSEL |
Vice-President |
Madame Françoise LORSCHEID |
Treasurer |
Monsieur Bruno TURBANG |
Protocol |
Madame Yuriko BACKES |
Representative of the Prime Minister of Luxembourg |
Frau Ursula BRAUN-MOSER |
Vice-President |
Meneer Gerhard VAN DEN BERGE |
Vice-President |
Monsieur Nico BLEY |
Member |
Herr Alexander BOJANOWSKY |
Member |
Monsieur Erwin BRUM |
Member (awaiting confirmation) |
Mr Francis CARPENTER |
Member |
Madame Kitty DEVILLE |
Member |
Signor Arnaldo FERRAGNI |
Member |
Monsieur André HEIDERSCHEID |
Member |
Pan Wojciech KALAMARZ |
Member (awaiting confirmation) |
Kirios Panayois MACRIS |
Member |
Monsieur Robert PHILIPPART |
Member |
Frau Ingeborg SMITH |
Member |
Frau Barbara SÖHNGEN |
Member |
Footnotes
- Notes