“Man of the Year 2012”

INTERNATIONAL AWARD “Man of the Year 2012”

            Russian Biographical Institute and the Institute for Economic Strategies with the support of the federal TV channels and Media announced nominees for the International Prize "Man of the Year 2012". They are citizens of the Russian Federation and CIS countries, who contributed to the areas of strategic importance (science, culture, governance, socially responsible business, charity, enlightenment).
In 2012, the "Man of the Year" ceremony was held for the twentieth time. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II, writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Zhores Alferov and Leo Bokeria, film director Vladimir Bortko and Karen Shakhnazarov, and other prominent public figures, scientists, heads of major enterprises became winners in recent years.

Some important economic events both crucial for Russia and the whole world took place in 2012. Russia has joined the World Trade Organization; a single economic space which has a great potential for development has been formed.

This year is rich in significant historical dates - the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, 200 years of the Patriotic War of 1812, and 150 years since Peter Stolypin’s birth, under his leadership large-scale key transformations of political, social and economic life were conducted.

The Expert Council decided to award the Head of the Russian Imperial House, Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan were awarded “Man of the Year 2012” prize for the creation of the Customs Union.

In 2012, the format of the Prize was expanded and the nomination “Organization of the year” was established which presented the most successful businesses and organizations of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The award was presented at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, the announcement was published in “The Rossiyskaya Gazeta”. The ceremony was held on 7 November 2012 and was dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the liberation of the Kremlin from Polish invaders - from this date the official celebration of the anniversary of the Romanov dynasty begins.

The final list of winners of the National Award "Man of the Year" was formed by members of the Advisory Council who considered presentations, Internet and Media public survey results. Candidate’s achievements in the professional sphere, his or her activities in the areas of strategic importance for the development of Russia (charity, philanthropy, enlightenment, etc.) were selection criteria.