PM Gordon Brown Celebrates Community Pioneers

PM Gordon Brown celebrates community pioneers

24 July 2008 - Gordon Brown has hosted an awards ceremony in London for people using cutting edge technology and innovation to drive social change.

Mr Brown praised the winners of the Catalyst Awards for creating the "newest of technologies" that can help to build "a more just society and better, stronger communities".

The PM said:

"Our thriving third sector continues to find innovative ways to tackle issues. We are creating a new generation of activists, campaigners and social entrepreneurs who are showing us just how the newest of technologies can help solve some of the oldest of challenges, building a more just society and better, stronger communities."

Winning entries, all of which can be seen on the Catalyst Awards website, included a locally run broadband service for rural communities and a scheeme running educational media projects within the criminal justice system.

Each of the winners also created a short film about their innovations which can be viewed on a Catalyst Awards dedicated YouTube channel.

Mr Brown was joined at the awards ceremony by John Hutton, Secretary of State for Enterprise, and Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector.

One year on from announcing his wish to use 24 July, or "24/7", as a day to recognise the work of unsung local heroes, the PM also hosted a reception in Number 10 for "local heroes" to recognise their contributions to community life.

Gordon Brown said:

"I want to use 24/7 as a day to say thank you to all those who work so tirelessly for social change. I believe it is time to celebrate the best in Britain and, by celebrating it and emulating it, to build an even better future for us all."

ENDS

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