Prix Courage: These people give courage
Once a year, the Beobachter awards the Prix Courage to outstanding personalities who have made an impression through their selfless and courageous commitment. Six candidates are now up for election.
Three favorites can be chosen in the public voting. The jury, chaired by former Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, then decides who will be awarded the Prix Courage is awarded.
These courageous people have been nominated:
- Two craftsmen became rescuers
On November 26, 2024, two workmen are running late. This minor delay becomes a stroke of luck for many victims of a serious traffic accident. When Kevin Kieffer and Redon Cacaj as we turn a steep bend in Koblenz AG, we see a picture of horror: a completely destroyed car, a driver covered in blood. A little further away: an overturned bus, trapped passengers, including children. The duo act immediately and rescue countless injured people from the crashed Postbus and the wrecked vehicle.
- He uncovered abuses at the animal hospital
Dogs and cats lying in their own excrement, mold and multi-resistant germs: The abuses at Zurich's animal hospital have been documented by the keeper Jorge Pereira documented with hundreds of cell phone pictures and made available to the observer. He had to pay dearly for this. He lost his job after his whistleblowing.
- She founded a secret school for girls in Afghanistan
Mahbube Ibrahimi fled to Switzerland alone, attended high school here and founded an online school for girls in Afghanistan almost two years ago. The 20-year-old is giving more than 270 schoolgirls in her home country hope of an education.
- She risked her job for patient safety
Two years ago, a newspaper advertisement made waves in the Upper Engadine: In an open letter Ladina Christoffel about her dismissal and subsequent resignation as head physician of the women's clinic at the Oberengadin hospital. Together with the Pro Medico Plus interest group, she named problems that were being kept under wraps internally: Staff shortages, overwork, compromised patient safety. Later, the Graubünden labor inspectorate documented over 3,000 violations of labor law.
- She fought against male rope teams
Danica Zurbriggen, a university lecturer from Zermatt, learns on her way home of the unanimous election of an ex-CVP National Councillor as President of the Valais Chamber of Tourism. The man, who had been convicted of sexual harassment and stalking, thus takes on a leading position, even though a woman who had reported him works for an organization that belongs to the Chamber of Tourism. Angry that the convicted man is indirectly becoming his victim's boss, Zurbriggen first expressed her displeasure on Instagram and later in a letter to the editor. Her letter and the online discussion reached thousands of people, triggering a national debate - and culminating in the resignation of the former National Councillor.
- He broke a spiral of violence
Kurt Erni experienced extreme violence and neglect in his childhood at the hands of his sadistic mother, who abused him physically and psychologically, while his father left the family at an early age. Despite these traumas, Erni vowed not to become like his mother and built a successful career as a chef, police officer and later as a head of department, consciously choosing not to have children of his own. However, the repressed experiences led to a breakdown, which was later diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, Erni deals with his past publicly, including through a book, in order to break the taboo of female violence and encourage other victims.
Dominique Strebel, Editor-in-Chief of the Beobachter"All the nominees have shown great courage, overcoming obstacles and accepting disadvantages to make our society a little more just, fairer and better. This deserves the admiration of us all and inspires us to also courageously stand up for higher values - especially at a time when individual interests are all too often in the foreground."
The public vote The competition will run until October 5, 2025, after which the three nominations that have received the most votes will be presented to the jury headed by former Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. This committee will decide who will receive the Prix Courage 2025. The award will be presented to the winner at a ceremony in the Papiersaal in Zurich on November 13.
