MODENA, Italy and LEGAU, Germany, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The first international One World Award (OWA) was awarded to Lal Emmanuel from Sri Lanka. The OWA statue along with a 25,000 Euro check was presented to Mr. Emmanuel for several sustainable projects. The honorary "One World Award" for lifetime achievements went to Professor Dr. Engelhard Boehncke from Germany. Patroness of the OWA ceremony in Modena (Italy) was Mrs. Renate Künast, former German Minister of Agriculture.

The first international "One World Award" and the "One World Lifetime Achievement Award" were presented in a festive and joyful ceremony with about 850 guests at the occasion of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) World Congress in Modena/Italy. The award was initiated by Joseph Wilhelm, founder and Managing Director of RAPUNZEL NATURKOST AG. The OWA honours positive, sustainable examples of globalization as defined by the three columns of sustainability: economic, ecological and social aspects.

Joseph Wilhelm presented the artistic OWA statue and the 25.000 Euro check - donated by RAPUNZEL NATURKOST AG - to Lal Emmanuel. "I am very happy that the jury agreed on the winner which was certainly not an easy task", emphasized the organic pioneer. Lal Emmanuel established the Nagenahiru foundation in Sri Lanka in 1991 and devoted himself to a variety of sustainable projects; among those a project that focuses on the protection and reforestation of ecologically valuable mangrove forests.

Joseph Wilhelm expressed his gratitude to IFOAM. The organization courageously and actively joined as a partner and took on the patronage of the "One World Award" initiative. He also thanked his fellow jury members Vandana Shiva (India), Tewolde Eghziaber (Ethopia), Alberto Pipo Lernoud (Argentina) and Bernward Geier who performed their jury tasks with dedication and wisdom. Joseph Wilhelm also thanked the numerous applicants from the different continents.

The "One World Lifetime Achievement Award" was presented to Professor Dr. Engelhard Boehncke from Germany by IFOAM President Gerald A. Herrmann. The veterinarian and farmer has been a key figure in the national and international organic movement for over 50 years! He was IFOAM President for four years and helped develop organic animal husbandry guidelines that made organic animal husbandry a global alternative for a more sustainable and healthier world. President Herrmann emphasized that "IFOAM is very honoured to present the OWA statue to Professor Dr. Engelhard Boehncke and to acknowledge his extraordinary contributions and lifetime achievements.

Patroness and guest of honour Renate Künast, former German Minister of Agriculture and Chair of the German environmental party "Bündnis 90/Die Grünen" in the German Parliament, stressed the importance of the international "One World Award" and congratulated the laureate prize winners in her speech: "These future makers show that innovative ideas and dedication are essential elements for giving globalization a positive dimension. This award hopefully encourages more people to get actively involved."

The ceremony was full of emotions. The finalists and laureates were celebrated by the guests from all over the world with roaring applause. And as the saying goes "after the price is before the price", nominations for the "One World Award 2010" will be accepted starting in the fall of 2008. The nomination deadline is the end of April 2009. The "One World Award" will be awarded by RAPUNZEL NATURKOST AG and IFOAM every second year.

For more information: http://www.one-world-award.com

"One World Award" c/o RAPUNZEL NATURKOST AG Heike Kirsten phone +49(0)8330-529-1134 e-mail heike.kirsten@rapunzel.de

"One World Award", c/o RAPUNZEL NATURKOST AG, Heike Kirsten, phone +49(0)8330-529-1134, e-mail heike.kirsten@rapunzel.de