The Society for the Conferring of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen welcomes two new members to the Board of Directors: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich, and Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen, former Minister of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and current Managing Director of the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Foundation.

Astrid Lambrecht is the CEO of Forschungszentrum Jülich, one of the largest non-university research institutions in Europe with employees from 114 nations. Her impressive scientific career includes leading positions in the Physics Division at the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) in France and international recognition through numerous awards. She is also a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Commenting on her membership of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors, Lambrecht says: "I am delighted to be a member of the Board of Directors of the International Charlemagne Prize. As a convinced European, I would like to contribute my diverse experience in science, but also in everyday life in Europe, to the work of the Board of Directors. It is very important to me to strengthen European values and build a bridge, especially to young people."

Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen is Managing Director of the Carl Friedrich von Siemens Stiftung and was previously Minister for Culture and Science in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in the cabinet of Armin Laschet and Hendrik Wüst. The former alderwoman of the city of Aachen was also Secretary General of the Kulturstiftung der Länder and has received numerous awards. Among other things, she received the German Cultural Policy Award in 2023. Pfeiffer-Poensgen is the granddaughter of textile merchant Dr. Kurt Pfeiffer, a founding member of the International Charlemagne Prize. Pfeiffer-Poensgen explains her intention to join the Board of Directors: "Art and science do not stop at national borders; they ensure numerous European encounters and successful cooperation. I would like to bring this aspect more strongly into the Board of Directors of the International Charlemagne Prize."

Dr. Jürgen Linden, Chairman of the Charlemagne Prize Board of Directors: "With the two new members and their knowledge and networks, we are strengthening our European policy work in the fields of science and culture." The two new members succeed Irene Schulte-Hillen, who passed away in January 2023, and Ferun Wolf-Böttcher, who stepped down from the Board of Directors at her own request in summer 2024.

The International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen

The International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen, which was first awarded in 1950, honors personalities or institutions that have made a valuable contribution to European unification and cohesion in Europe. The prize, which is named after the "Father of Europe" Charlemagne, is considered one of the most important European awards.

If you have any questions, please contact Karina Blommen from the Society for the Conferring of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen(blommen@karlspreis.de).