Frans Timmermans is a staunch proponent of the rule of law and has spent years advocating the importance of international cooperation and the role of international institutions in solving problems. He has also campaigned for solidarity, gay rights, diversity, equality for women and the protection of human rights activists. As a member of parliament, Timmermans was already closely involved in European developments. He was a member of the European Convention responsible for drafting the European Constitution. Frans Timmermans currently serves as Vice President of the European Commission and is involved in the Green Deal, which aims to mitigate the effects of climate change on the European level.
He has campaigned for closing the gender pay gap and proposed a new European directive on work-life balance. All in all, plenty of reasons why Frans Timmermans is a worthy recipient of the Treaties of Nijmegen Medal.
Frans Timmermans studied French literature at Radboud University. Click on the trailer to watch an introductory video about the candidate.
Want to join the ceremony?
You can get tickets to join the ceremony live here.
Treaties of Nijmegen
The Treaties of Nijmegen were a series of treaties signed in 1678 that put a temporary end to the wars that ravaged Europe. Signed in Nijmegen, these treaties ended various interconnected wars among countries such as France, Spain, Sweden, the Dutch Republic and the Holy Roman Empire. In many European countries, the Treaties of Nijmegen are regarded as a pivotal moment in European history.
Treaties of Nijmegen Medal
The Treaties of Nijmegen Medal is a biannual prize awarded to key international figures who have demonstrated a commitment to European development. This is the sixth time the medal will be awarded. Previous laureates included Jacques Delors (2010), Umberto Eco (2012), Neelie Kroes (2014), The European Court of Human Rights (2016) and Paul Polman (2018). As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Treaties of Nijmegen Medal was not awarded in 2020.
The Treaties of Nijmegen Medal is an initiative of the Municipality of Nijmegen, Radboud University and NXP Semiconductors N.V., and is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Festival Being an idealist
In honor of this ceremony, LUX in Nijmegen is organizing the two-day festival Being an Idealist on 13 and 14 May. The festival is all about idealism and the need for new visions. Information about this festival can be found on the LUX website.
Contact:
- Municipality of Nijmegen: Jack Broeksteeg, + 31 6 3167 9262, j.broeksteeg [at] nijmegen.nl
- Radboud University: Martijn Gerritsen, + 31 6 3002 3250, m.gerritsen [at] ru.nl
- NXP Semiconductors N.V.: Martijn van der Linden, + 31 6 1091 4896, martijn.van.der.linden [at] nxp.com (martijn[dot]van[dot]der[dot]linden[at]nxp[dot]com)