The Westernization Award (2018 – present) – established to emphasize the significant contribution of politicians, business representatives and civil activists in creating closer ties between this region and Western World. It is presented in 6 categories: Economic Westernization, Political Westernization, Legal Westernization, Westernization of Lifestyle, Language and Culture Westernization, and Lifetime achievement.
Nominees in 2018 were:
Economic Westernization – Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan
Mr. Mirziyoyev, a President of Uzbekistan, had transformed Uzbekistan by bringing equal opportunities and taking serious steps in terms of Uzbekistan economic development – liberalization of currency regulations, improvement of relations with Uzbekistan’s neighbors and generally unleashing country’s economic potential. He has changed Uzbekistan’s decision-making processes, encouraged political competition and strengthened civil society.
In recognition of his contribution to Uzbekistan’s economic development, Mr. Mirziyoyev is awarded with Economic Westernization Award.
Political Westernization – Ambassador Wolfgang Ishinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference
Ambassador Ishinger is awarded a Political Westernization Award for engaging the post-Soviet countries in the process of building the global security and peace during Munich Security Conference. The Munich Security Core Group Meeting 2018 was held in Minsk. Amb. Ishinger has created a constructive and open atmosphere of the Conference which provided a fertile ground for new approaches towards post-Soviet countries.
Legal Westernization – Viktor Prokopenya, technology entrepreneur, venture investor
Mr. Prokopenya is awarded a Legal Westernization Award for his contribution to the development of the legislation in the IT area in Belarus and for creation of one of the most beneficial legal frameworks for IT businesses in Post-Soviet countries.
Westernization of Lifestyle – Michael O’Leary, Ryanair CEO
Mr. Michael O’Leary is awarded a Lifestyle Westernization Award in recognition of his contribution to increasing connectivity between Ukraine and Europe. Ryanair flights to Ukraine are another bridge between Ukrainians and Europe and this step has made the attendance of European countries more accessible for Ukrainians.
Language and Culture Westernization – Erden Kazhybek, Head of the Institute of Linguistics in Kazakhstan, one of the main developers of the new Kazakh alphabet
Mr. Kazhybek has a lead at the process of Transition of Kazakh language for Latin alphabet which leads to a process of integration of Kazakhstan into global economy, and thus he is awarded with Culture and Language Westernization Award.
Lifetime achievement – Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia
Mr. Ilves has developed the most digitally savvy country in the world. His belief in transformative power of technology has totally changed Estonia and rethinked the interaction between government and citizens. Digitization of government now is an everyday reality to Estonia. Mr. Ilves has showed a very successful example of Estonia’s transformation to the digital economy that reduced bureaucracy, increased transparency and boosted economic growth.
In recognition of his tremendous contribution to the creation of the digital economy of Estonia Mr. Ilves is awarded a Westernization Award Lifetime Achievement.
