The ceremony of awarding the Sergio Vieira de Mello Prize – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the years 2002-2003, took place within the framework of an international conference “Captive Mind Revisited” on 11 October 2007 at Villa Decius, Krakow. Among the laureates there are: Maryna Hulia (In the “individual” category) and Magurycz Association (In the “NGO” category).
Maryna Hulia
Maryna Hulia – teacher of Russian, proponent of Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian culture. Since 2005, employee of PSEP. Organizer of the exhibits “Jestem za” and “Macierzyństwo”, displaying the works of Paweł Wojnicki, a Belarusian painter, “W poszukiwaniu kobiety”, displaying the works of Belarusian photographer Aleksandra Litina, as well as exhibits of batiks, by Elena Dzikavitska, a political refugee. Initiator and director of charity actions for Dzieci Biesłaniu and donations for Chechen refugees. Organizer of Russian evenings and meetings for students with journalists of Radio Free Europe from the Belarusian division. The aim of her activities is the promotion of peaceful coexistence of societies, religions, and cultures, breaking stereotypes in regards to refugees, and prejudices towards “others” – and their families. Her activities stimulate social groups and allow for quicker and better integration of immigrants into society.
Magurycz Association
Magurycz Association – Informal group of stonemasons, currently an association involved in rescuing, cataloguing and documenting sacred art, crosses and roadside chapels, as well as objects of Orthodox art left without care on the territory of residents primarily Bojko and Lemko minorities, as well as Jews, Poles, Roma and Germans. The history of Magurycz began in 1986. The activities of the association are not tied to politics, are independent of any institutions or cults, and aims to return past splendour to objects. As well, it works to promote attitudes of tolerance and mutual understanding.
