-Press Release- Winner of International Children’s Peace Prize 2011 awarded at World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates Michaela Mycroft received first Medal for Social Activism presented to her by former president F.W. de Klerk during the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago Amsterdam, 24 April 2012 – Today, 17 year old Michaela Mycroft, winner of the International Children’s Peace Prize 2011, received the first Medal for Social Activism which was presented to her by former president F.W. de Klerk. The ceremony took place at the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Chicago. Michaela, also known as Chaeli, received this award for her commitment to the rights of children with disabilities in South Africa through her project: the Chaeli Campaign. The Medal for Social Activism is a unique prize which was presented for the first time. The prize is specially designed for people who do extraordinary work to help others. Impressive ceremony During the second day of the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates this very emotional ceremony took place. In front of more than 15 Nobel Peace Laureates, Chaeli was praised for her commitment to the rights of children with disabilities in her homeland South Africa. Among the laureates that were present at the Summit were former president Mikhail Gorbachev, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and former president Lech Walesa. Chaeli spoke with former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. In his speech former president F.W. de Klerk called her efforts impressive and noted that with her positive attitude she is an inspiration to many. After these praising words, he presented this extraordinary prize to Chaeli. An extraordinary winner Chaeli was born with Cerebral Palsy, which is why the function of her arms and legs is limited. But where others see limitations, she sees possibilities. Chaeli: “My main drive is for differently-abled people to be included and accepted the way we are, because we cannot change our disability but we can change the way people see our disability.” Chaeli mentioned in her speech that we can make disability just another trait instead of a reason for exclusion. To make that happen we need to work together. Chaeli also referred to a song of the band Nickelback that says: “What’s worth the prize is always worth the fight”. Chaeli: “I know that the prize of inclusion is definitely worth the fight.” Finally, Chaeli mentioned that it is even more special for her to receive the award from former president F.W. de Klerk. Chaeli: “I was born in 1994 and this was the year that Nelson Mandela became president of the new South Africa. It is therefore even more special for me to receive this award from former president F.W. de Klerk, because he worked with former president Mandela towards a more equal society.” International Children’s Peace Prize In November 2011, Chaeli won the International Children’s Peace Prize. Also this award she received for the important work she does through her project the Chaeli Campaign. The International Children’s Peace Prize, an initiative of the Dutch organization KidsRights, is presented annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable actions and thoughts have made a positive difference for children’s rights to affect children around the world. Chaeli received this prize in the Hall of Knights in The Hague, presented to her by Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire. The Chaeli Campaign At the age of 9, Chaeli, her sister and her friends started a project to raise money for a motorized wheelchair for Chaeli. In just seven weeks, they raised more than enough money, so Chaeli decided to also help other disabled children. This project has become the Chaeli Campaign; a professional organization that annually helps more than 3000 children with disabilities in South Africa with equipment and physical therapy, and which advocates for the rights and inclusion of disabled children in South Africa. Chaeli also inspires other children to start projects and for that she has developed an ambassadors program. - End of Press Release – About KidsRights KidsRights is a Dutch children’s rights organization that defends the rights of vulnerable children worldwide. The foundation provides direct, tailored support to these children and draws attention to their position and their rights through advocacy. The foundation helps by funding existing, well-run local projects that focus on five key basic requirements of care: health care, nutrition, education, shelter and attention. Often, some relatively simple assistance is all that children need to make tremendous progress, providing them with the opportunity to build toward a better future. KidsRights offers a platform to children who, without help, often find it difficult to make the world sit up and listen. “KidsRights gives a voice to the voiceless", said Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu. www.kidsrights.org About the International Children’s Peace Prize The International Children’s Peace Prize is presented annually to an exceptional child, whose courageous or otherwise remarkable acts and thoughts have made a difference in improving the situation of children’s rights, which affect children around the world. The prize is an initiative of the Dutch organization KidsRights and was launched by KidsRights during 2005 Nobel for Peace Summit, chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev. Each year, the winner of the International Children’s Peace Prize is selected from nominations from all over the world. Everyone, individuals and organizations, can recommend a child for this prize. An independent Expert Committee assesses the candidates and then selects the winner. The prize money of €100,000 that is attached to the Children´s Peace Prize is spent by KidsRights on projects that are closely connected to the winner’s area of dedication. In addition, the winner receives financial support for his or her education, including tertiary level. www.childrenspeaceprize.org Please contact for more information and visual materials: Hill+Knowlton Strategies Erika Voulon, phone number: +31 (0)20-4044707 or +31 (0)6 51828082, e-mail: [email protected] Marlieke Berkman, phone number: +31 (0)20-4044707 or +31 (0)6 30000797, e-mail: [email protected] www.twitter.com/KidsRights www.facebook.com/KidsRights .