The Voltaire Prize for Tolerance, International Understanding and Respect for Differences
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Nominate a young researcher for the 5,000 € Voltaire Prize, which is awarded for the scientific examination of the topics of international understanding, tolerance and respect for differences and which honors scientists who are committed to freedom in research and education and advocate freedom of expression. All information on the nomination of a candidate can be found here.
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The Voltaire Prize Winners 2017-2024
The selection process of the past few years has shown in how many countries freedom of research and teaching is at risk or does not exist (anymore)," said the President of the University of Potsdam, Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D. „It is all the more important that we set an example with the Voltaire Prize and give thanks and recognition to those who oppose the anti-enlightenment tendencies. Because the prize is not only for the award winners, but for all brave scientists worldwide who say no to totalitarianism and restrictions on freedom of expression and speech.“
For the first time, the University of Potsdam awarded the ‘Voltaire Prize for Tolerance, International Understanding and Respect for Difference’ at the New Year's Reception on 17 January 2024 to two individuals who are committed to the freedom of research and teaching in special and yet very different ways: Gerawork Teferra Gizaw manages the balancing act between living in a refugee camp and a dedicated dedication to scientifically analysing life in a camp set up as temporary and promoting discussion about what it means to create sustainable peace in a community by valuing different cultural heritages. Dr Olga Shparaga is one of the most important public voices of the Belarusian opposition movement. With her political commitment, she is part of the Belarusian freedom movement, which is being violently suppressed by the repression of the Lukashenko regime.
