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CONTACT:
Corporate Communications
Michael Checkoway,
Hayslett Sorrel Public Relations
404/715-2554 770/522-8855 ext. 220
FORMER SOVIET PRESIDENT MIKHAIL GORBACHEV ACCEPTS DELTA PRIZE FOR GLOBAL UNDERSTANDING
ATLANTA, April 16, 2001 – Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union, will accept the 2001 Delta Prize for Global Understanding tonight and will talk about his efforts to end the arms race and Cold War, and his humanitarian and environmental work in their aftermath.
"As a global airline, Delta knows the importance of intercultural understanding and is proud to recognize President Gorbachev for his efforts to foster peace and promote environmental protection around the world," said Leo F. Mullin, chairman and CEO of Delta Air Lines.
Established with an $890,000 grant from the Delta Air Lines Foundation, the Delta Prize for Global Understanding is administered by the University of Georgia. The prize carries a $10,000 cash award.
Mullin and University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams will present the prize to Gorbachev during a ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead.
Gorbachev, winner of the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize, also is expected to talk about environmental protection, U.S. - Russian relations and other global political developments during his acceptance speech.
During his period of leadership in the former Soviet Union, Gorbachev initiated the policy of openness (glasnost) that allowed for a freer flow of information and greater truth in Soviet affairs. His policy of economic restructuring (perestroika) and new thinking led to the reform of Soviet socialism.
Gorbachev is the third recipient of the Delta Prize. Last year’s prize went to Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. The inaugural prize in 1999 went to former President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn and the Atlanta-based Carter Center.
Since his time in office, Gorbachev, 70, has authored several books, established the Gorbachev Foundation in Moscow, and founded Green Cross International, a nonprofit organization led in the United States by the American affiliate, Global Green USA.
"We’re delighted that Delta and the University of Georgia have chosen President Gorbachev to receive this prestigious award," said Matt Petersen, executive director of Global Green USA. "President Gorbachev’s continued work and leadership since leaving office, in particular as a leading spokesperson for ecological issues and head of a growing international environmental organization, are helping to ensure a peaceful, sustainable future for generations to come."
"The Delta Prize for Global Understanding demonstrates the University of Georgia’s commitment to advancing international understanding and cooperation," said Adams. "We are grateful to Delta Air Lines for partnering with us to make this award possible."
The dinner and ceremony will follow a symposium on President Gorbachev’s efforts in the post-Cold-War period to create a safer, healthier and more just global society. The symposium will feature Pat Mitchell, president of Public Broadcasting Service and immediate past president of Global Green USA; Alexander Likhotal, vice president of Green Cross International; Irina Virganskaya, daughter of President Gorbachev and vice president of the Gorbachev Foundation; and Igor Khripunov, former aide to Gorbachev and now associate director of the university’s Center for International Trade and Security.
Hosts and co-chairs of the symposium, dinner and ceremony are Gary Bertsch, director of UGA’s Center for International Trade and Security, and Betty Jean Craige, director of UGA’s Willson Center for Humanities and Arts.
Nominees for the Delta Prize for Global Understanding are solicited from around the world. Selected University of Georgia students research the work of the nominees and prepare information for an international selection board that meets annually to choose the prize recipient.
For more information, visit the Delta Prize Web site at: www.uga.edu/news/deltaprize.
 A night to remember.
Georgia Magazine, March 2000
Former Soviet President Gorbachev to speak at UGA.
Columns, Nov. 29, 1999
Mikhail Gorbachev: A world of influence.
Columns, Nov. 29, 1999
'A world for all': Gorbachev addresses standing-room-only crowd
Columns, Dec. 13, 1999
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