Governance and citizenship

Member of the European Parliament Jan Olbrycht (Poland) has been awarded the 2005 Emperor Maximilian prize for local and regional politics .

The Emperor Maximilian prize is awarded by the province of Tyrol and the city of Innsbruck to those who have contributed to the reinforcement of local and regional government in Europe. This year, it specifically rewarded a contribution to the EU's regional policy.

The governor of the Austrian province of Tyrol, Herwig van Staa, will give Jan Olbrycht his award at a ceremony in Innsbruck, on 9 July 2005. The award consists of a certificate, a medal (see picture) and a cash prize of 10 000 euros.

Jan Olbrycht is currently vice-chairman of the European Parliament's committee on regional development. He is a doctor in sociology from Jagiellonian University (Poland). He was vice president of CEMR from 1995 to 2001 and Marshal (governor) of the Voivodship of Silesia (1998-2004). Since 2004 he has been a member of the World Council of United Cities and Local Government (UCLG).

Previous winners of the prize are :

- Josef Hofmann, Honorary President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (1999);
- Luc van den Brande, President of the Assembly of the European Regions (2000);
- Lady Farrington, Baroness of Ribbleton (2001);
- Erwin Teufel, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg and Heinrich Hoffschulte, First Vice-President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (2002);
- Alain Chénard, former President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (2003).

- Elisabeth Gateau, secretary general of United Cities and Local Government (UCLG)