Around 600 guests from all walks of life, all actively committed to sustainability, gathered at the NATUR Gala 2012, the high point of which is the award of the Prix NATURE Swisscanto (www.prixnatureswisscanto.ch), the Swiss sustainability prize. The prize is awarded in three categories: the Principal Prize recognizes outstanding achievement on the basis of contribution to sustainable development, Generation Future is given to new enterprises with active involvement and the Beacon of Hope is a celebrity who shows high-profile support for sustainability in the media.
The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) takes the Principal Prize
NATUR (www.natur.ch) awarded the Prix NATURE Swisscanto: Overall Winner to FiBL. The judges felt that FiBL has been the main driving force in the development of organic agriculture in Switzerland since 1973. With its staff of 135 scientists and advisors it is the largest and best known organic research and consultancy institute in the world, and its influence is felt internationally. Urs Niggli, the Director of FiBL, accepted the Swiss sustainability prize at the NATUR Gala and said, “This award represents a huge acknowledgement of our team’s achievement. By providing advice and support to farmers we have at last, after many, many years, made organic farming what it is today, that is, an excellent, sustainable and environmentally sound form of agriculture.”
NATUR: an overview
NATUR, the leading Swiss forum for sustainable development, held its seventh event from 13 to 16 April 2012 in Basel. With its combination of trade fair, festival, congress and gala, NATUR is aimed at the general public as well as at decision-makers and experts from politics, industry and associations. NATUR is sponsored by twenty-four leading organizations and institutions in the field of sustainable development, as well as by federal ministries and cantons.
The NATUR Trade Fair and Festival provide exhibitions and entertainment for more than 40,000 visitors. The NATUR Congress is the leading platform for sustainable use of resources, with around 700 delegates from all over Switzerland. The NATUR Gala is a celebration of sustainability with around 600 guests and VIPs from politics, industry, associations and the public. The highlight is the award of the Prix NATURE Swisscanto.
Source: Die Gewinner des Prix NATURE Swisscanto stehen fest (Winners of Prix NATURE Swisscanto announced)
Further information
FiBL contact
Urs Niggli, Director FiBL