By Concordia Social Projects organizes and mobilizes aid throughout central and eastern Europe, including in Moldova where thousands of Ukrainian families are seeking refuge. Photo of Concordia volunteers at Chisnau distribution centre appears courtesy of Concordia Social Projects.
Pax Christi International is pleased to announce Concordia Social Projects as the laureate of our 2022 peace award. The organization is present in several central and eastern European countries, and works directly to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families.
Concordia works with an extensive network of volunteers to provide rapid assistance to children in need, based on the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Concordia has responded to the enormous need for aid in Moldova, as thousands of Ukrainian families seek refuge in the republic. Moldova is besieged by its own economic and social problems, with many children going hungry due to the summer drought and inflation brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In honouring Concordia with the 2022 award, Pax Christi applauds and encourages the organisations work in helping children grow into healthy, well-informed, and responsible citizens. “Through leadership and the mobilization of volunteers, Concordia is changing the lives of society’s most vulnerable,” remarked Greet Vanaerschot, secretary general of Pax Christi. “Their work gives children and young people opportunity for a better life, one where their future is their own.”
In receiving news of the award, Markus Inama SJ spoke on behalf of the executive board, “For the entire Concordia team, this peace award means a great appreciation of their daily courage and commitment to improving the living conditions of children, young people and families in need.” He continued, “2022 is an exceptional year of crisis due to the effects of the Ukraine war in our project countries, especially in Moldova. Each and every one of our team deserves this great recognition for their hands-on mentality and empathy, which was especially visible and tangible during the refugee emergency aid on the Moldovan border Palanca.”
For more about Concordia Social Projects, please visit their website.
The Pax Christi International Peace Award has been given to an organizations and individuals whose work promotes justice and peace at the grassroots level. To see a list of all previous laureates, please visit our website.