On November 3, 2000 at the Imperial Hofburg in Vienna, the World Social Prize was presented to the tenor Josep Carreras. The prize was conferred by an international jury headed by Mr. Mikhail Gorbachev, who personally presented the award at a gala to celebrate the first World Day of Men. The gala was attended by the Mayor of Vienna, Mr. Michael Häupl, and numerous public figures in science, medicine, politics, sports, the arts, and business.

The World Social Prize is awarded to persons who have made distinguished contributions in the fields of health, education, and social policy. Josep Carreras, the first recipient of this prize, was honored for "his battle against illness and his subsequent creation of the Josep Carreras International Leukemia Foundation. His work as the head of this organization has provided a model of generosity and a very positive contribution to improving the health of people throughout the world."

The Josep Carreras International Leukemia Foundation, which was established in Barcelona on July 14, 1988 as a charitable foundation for scientific research and assistance, provides annual research grants and administers the bone marrow register, REDMO. The foundation also facilitates the improvement of hospital infrastructures with the goal of ensuring that patients receive the most advanced medical technology available. Finally, it offers social assistance and information about the illness to patients and their families.

The World Day of Men is a joint initiative by the City of Vienna, the Gorbachev Foundation and Medical Connection, in cooperation with the United Nations, ORF (Austrian Radio and Television) and other international organizations. Its presidency is shared by Mr. Gorbachev and Mr. Michael Häupl, the Mayor of Vienna, which has been a pioneer in highlighting the importance of men's health, holding the first Men's Health Day in February 2000.

Georg Kindel, General Organizer, and Prof. Siegfried Meryn, Scientific Coordinator, confirm that the motivation for creating the World Day of Men was that "on average men die seven years earlier than women, they have a higher incidence of cancer and heart disease, their diet is poorer, and they pay less attention to their own health. This is something that needs to be changed in the long term."

Besides the goal of promoting health awareness, preventing illness, improving the quality of life, and increasing life-expectancy for men throughout the world, the World Day of Men also has humanitarian and social objectives. In addition to Mr. Carreras (World Social Prize), other World Day of Men award winners were:

• Mr. Simon Wiesenthal (World Tolerance Prize) a person who has dedicated his life to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice.
• Prof. Christian Barnard (World Health Prize), pioneering heart surgeon
• Mr. Maximilian Schell (World Achievement Prize), Oscar-winning German actor

Further Information: www.welttag.com

Copyright © 2000 Josep Carreras International Leukemia Foundation