ECHO is celebrating its 20th Anniversary throughout 2012 (21/03/2012)
ECHO turns 20
In 2012 the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department of the European Commission, or ECHO, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The celebrations have started with a launch in Brussels and will continue throughout the year with events around the world.
A dedicated website (http://ec.europa.eu/echo/20/) bearing a rolling agenda, and testimonies of our experts, aid workers, and beneficiaries of EU aid in the field has been established. This website takes a look back at some of ECHO’s achievements over the past 20 years. The personal accounts provide an insight into the reality on the ground during a crisis situation, while a timeline shows how ECHO has reached those in need in every corner of the world.
Get involved
Visit the ECHO@20 dedicated website for a peek at the rolling agenda. Specifically, we invite you to check out the Guest Book, and while there, please leave a comment.
A communication toolbox consisting of printed, audiovisual and web based products as well as material for the press is available here: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/about/echo20-material_en.htm (the password is: E=20y). You can use these materials freely.
Launch Event
President Barroso together with Commissioner Georgieva launched the celebrations in Brussels on March 20th.
The leading figures in the humanitarian community including the Commissioners in charge of ECHO, past and present, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Jakob Kellenberger, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, the Secretary General on the Norwegian Refugee Council, Elisabeth Rasmusson, spoke during this event.
For more on the launch event, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/20/
Contact
You can reach the 20th anniversary team in Brussels at ECHO-20@ec.europa.eu