The XX International Prize Grupo Compostela–Xunta de Galicia awarded to the European Association of Regional Television

The Compostela Group of Universities (CGU) and the Xunta de Galicia decided to award the XX International Prize Grupo Compostela-Xunta de Galicia to the European Association of Regional Television, CIRCOM, as an acknowledgment for its support to diversity and regional development in Europe.

The jury of the XX International Prize Grupo Compostela–Xunta de Galicia appraised CIRCOM support to European cultural diversity, likewise its promotion of tolerance and integration, values associated to the construction of Europe.

The XXII General Assembly of the Compostela Group of Universities, held at Jaume I University (Spain) was the framework of the prize-giving ceremony, where the secretary general of CIRCOM, Fernando Ojea, collected the golden shell on behalf of the association.

CIRCOM decided to donate the economic contribution of the prize (6.000€) to the European Youth Centre of the Council of Europe, which organised in July 2016 a Peace Summer Camp that brought together youth from Europe and countries in conflict. This economic support will contribute to cover the costs of the participation of young Syrian refugees.

CIRCOM

CIRCOM was founded on 1983 as initiative of a team of professionals from different European televisions, with the main purpose of supporting the development of regional identities in Europe. The basis was to use the main role of television in the development of the European idea.

Nowadays CIRCOM is composed of 300 tv channels from 3 European States, and its main objectives are:

  • To be a forum for ideas and experience and a network for exchanging personnel and equipment;
  • To make coproductions and encourage the exchange of regional programmes;
  • To develop the regional culture and identities;
  • To contribute the development of regional identities from an innovative and practical angle, among others.

Members of the Jury

The Jury of the XX International Prize Grupo Compostela-Xunta de Galicia was chaired by the General Secretary of the Xunta de Galicia for Culture, Anxo M. Lorenzo Suárez, and composed by the following authorities:

  • The General Secretary of the Xunta de Galicia for Universities, José Alberto Díez de Castro.
  • The President of the Compostela Group of Universities, Marek Kręglewski.
  • The Rector of the University of Santiago de Compostela, Juan M. Viaño Rey.
  • The Vice-provost for Global Initiatives of the University of Drexel, Juli Mostov.
  • The Director of the International Office and Assistant to the President for International Relations of the University of Regensburg, Marianne Sedlemaier.

The Executive Secretary of the Compostela Group of Universities, Isabel Lirola, acted as Secretary of the Jury.