Each year, the Dutch municipality of Vlaardingen awards the so-called ‘Geuzenpenning’; a medal honouring human rights defenders around the world. In 2019, the Geuzenpenning is awarded to Padre Solalinde for his support to migrants on dangerous journeys in search of a better life.
Padre Alejandro Solalinde Guerra will receive this year’s Geuzenpenning. He has dedicated his life to supporting migrants on dangerous journeys in search of a better life: a phenomenon of all time. During their flight, they have to deal with many maltreatments that undermine their human dignity, such as rape, murder and human trafficking. Padre Solalinde has supported these people for over ten years and has often been lambasted by both governmental and clerical authorities for his efforts.
On 14 March an academic event will be organized, in collaboration with Erasmus School of Law and the Erasmus Initiative on Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity, in honour of Padre Alejandro Solalinde’s work. Padre Solalinde will open the workshop with a speech. Following that, three scholars of Erasmus University from different disciplines will offer their reflections: Prof. Samer Abdelnour (Rotterdam School of Management), Prof. Kristin Henrard (Erasmus School of Law) and Prof. Gijs van Oenen (Erasmus School of Philosophy). Subsequently, the floor will be opened to a Q&A session with Padre Solalinde and the scholars of Erasmus University.
About the Geuzenpenning
The Geuzenpenning, named after the group of resistance from Vlaardingen in the Second World War, is granted each year to organizations or individuals that defend human rights and resist dictatorship, discrimination and racism.
About the Erasmus Initiative on Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity
The Erasmus Initiative ‘Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity’ is an interdisciplinary research network with a focus on including broad segments of society including vulnerable ones in benefiting from increasing prosperity. This inclusion covers both socio-economic, socio-cultural and environmental aspects.