Prince Michael of Kent presents the Award
The Mayor of New York City, Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg has today received the inaugural Prince Michael Decade of Action Award in recognition of his leadership and philanthropy in global road traffic injury prevention. The award has been established to recognise major contributions to the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.
The Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards are presented by HRH Prince Michael of Kent in association with the Commission for Global Road Safety.
Mayor Bloomberg is a visionary philanthropist, the first major donor to recognise the scale of the global epidemic of death and injury caused by preventable road crashes.
In November 2009 Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a US$125 million grant for global road safety which was an unprecedented commitment, the largest single donation to date worldwide for this issue. The 'Road Safety in Ten Countries' ‘RS10’ Project is now investing in capacity development and injury prevention initiatives and monitors progress at a global level.
HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Patron of the Commission for Global Road Safety, said:
“Michael Bloomberg is the first major philanthropist to recognise the scale of the global epidemic of road death and injury. Bloomberg Philanthropies is now working in partnership with the governments and people most affected by the impact of road crashes. It is an injection of funding that has fostered collaboration and energized these early years of the Decade.
“As a leader and advocate for road safety he has raised the profile of this neglected issue internationally. His is a vital and unparalleled contribution to the success of the Decade of Action for Road Safety.”
The ‘RS10’ countries are: Brazil, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mexico, Russian Federation, Turkey and Viet Nam. Six partner organizations implement and coordinate activities with in-country governmental and non-governmental organizations. The partners are the World Health Organization, EMBARQ (World Resources Institute), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the World Bank Global Road Safety Facility, Global Road Safety Partnership, and the Association for Safe International Road Travel.
The Commission for Global Road Safety is Chaired by Rt. Hon. Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, with HRH Prince Michael of Kent as Patron. It was established as an independent commission by UK charity FIA Foundation in 2006 with a remit to examine the framework for, and level of, international cooperation on road safety, and to make policy recommendations. The members serve in a personal capacity and have been chosen for their particular knowledge and expertise in road safety, development and related issues. Each has a distinguished record of achievement in his or her field of work. Commissioners come from each of the World regions, and high, middle and low income countries.
Bloomberg Philanthropies refers to all of Michael R. Bloomberg's charitable activities, including the Bloomberg Family Foundation and his personal giving. Bloomberg Philanthropies works primarily to advance five areas globally: the Arts, Education, the Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. In 2011, $330 million was distributed.
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