Concordia is proud to present the 2020 Leadership Award for the Public Sector to António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his tireless efforts to amplify the voices of those displaced by war and violence, and his determination to rally global leaders to tackle the vast inequalities laid bare by the pandemic.
The Concordia Leadership Award seeks to recognize individuals who share a commitment to positive social and economic change, while promoting effective public-private collaboration to create a more prosperous, equal, and sustainable future. Recipients of the award possess a commitment to catalyzing positive social and economic change, while promoting effective public-private collaboration to create a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Secretary-General Guterres took office on 1 January 2017. Prior to his appointment in this role, Mr. Guterres served as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from June 2005 to December 2015, leading one of the world’s foremost humanitarian organizations during some of the most serious displacement crises in decades. Toward this end, he launched a $5 billion aid effort to help 10.25 million Syrians, and was an outspoken advocate for a more coordinated and humane approach by the European community. Before joining UNHCR, Mr. Guterres spent more than 20 years in government and public service. He served as prime minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002, during which time he was heavily involved in the international effort to resolve the crisis in East Timor. As President of the European Council in early 2000, he led the adoption of the Lisbon Agenda for growth and jobs.
The 2020 Leadership Award also recognizes Secretary-General Guterres for his work to promote an international relief fund to ensure that developing nations, which are suffering dramatic economic and social consequences of COVID-19, are being equipped with the resources necessary to help them build back better.
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