German Federal President Horst Köhler honours Rüdiger Nehberg and Annette Weber for their work against Female Genital Mutilation

On 5 June in Berlin, Rüdiger Nehberg was awarded the International B.A.U.M.* Special Prize 2007. This award acknowledged in particular Rüdiger Nehberg and his wife Annette Weber’s work in co-operation with many spiritual leaders of Islam including the highpoint of their campaign to date when this crime was officially outlawed during the Cairo conference in 2006.

The esteemed award was presented by Hamburg’s First Mayor and Chairman of the CDU Party Climate Committee, Ole von Beust, together with the President of B.A.U.M., Prof. Dr. Maximilian Gege, and Board Member Martin Oldeland. The B.A.U.M. Prize is awarded to individuals who have distinguished themselves over a number of years by their outstanding and exemplary work in protecting nature and the environment. Past award winners include Leonardo di Caprio and Countess Sonja von Bernadotte.

On 6 June during a brief ceremony in Schloss Bellevue, Nehberg and Weber’s success received further praise from German Federal President Horst Köhler. “If I can support your work in any way, please don’t hesitate to let me know.” This gives TARGET’s work a further boost.

Another cause for celebration came in Rüdiger and Annette’s meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. He received this prestigious award in 2006 for his work in setting up micro credits for the poorest citizens in his homeland, Bangladesh.

*Bundesdeutscher Arbeitskreis für Umwelt Management (German Federal Association for Environmental Management)