23/03/2009
Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, director of the Center for Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Policy and member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has been chosen as one of Hungary's role models by Pannon Példakép (Role Model) Foundation.
On March 17, 2009, the foundation awarded three role model prizes for outstanding achievements in the fields of Hungarian science, culture and art to Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, energy efficiency researcher, László Gőz, Hungarian contemporary music promoter, and Dániel Rátai, a young computer science inventor.
In the words of the foundation, these everyday heroes only differ from the average person in that they have succeeded in making use of their drive and potential to achieve their goals. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz held the highest scientific position in the Fourth Assessment Report issued by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007: that of a Coordinating Lead Author. For this report the committee was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008. After completing several research studies and teaching commissions abroad, she has returned to Hungary where she continues her work as researcher and lecturer at Central European University (CEU).
Pannon Példakép Foundation has the mission to find and support everyday heroes, that is, ordinary people who have the courage and strength to go beyond their own interests, share the problems of others and make daily sacrifices for them. They are willing to share what they have with others. The foundation wants to provide them publicity and financial support, thank them for their efforts and present them to all Hungarians as role models to follow.