Mário Ruivo is one of the winners of the European Citizen's Prize 2015

The list of recipients of the European Citizen's Prize 2015 (Civi Europaeo Praemium), awarded by the European Parliament, includes Mário Ruivo, oceanographer and leading figure in political organizations and civic movements for the integration of the ocean into the objectives of sustainable development. With a long career dedicated to promoting national and international programs for the sustainability of the oceans, Mário Ruivo is currently FCT's representative on the European Marine Board and President of the National Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development, a member of the European EEAC network, and of the Intersectoral Oceanographic Commission of the Ministry of Education and Science. 

The European Citizen's Prize is awarded to citizens, groups, associations or organizations that have distinguished themselves in promoting mutual understanding between citizens of the European Union, or in encouraging greater integration and transnational cooperation between Member States, in order to contribute to strengthening the European spirit.

The FCT Board of Directors congratulates Mário Ruivo on this distinction, for his valuable contribution and leadership in the effort to strengthen cooperation and reform European and international institutions, and in raising awareness among governments and public opinion of the imperative of preserving the ocean for present and future generations. 

Thanks to Mário Ruivo's initiative, the documentation of the Permanent Commission for Outer Space Studies (CPEEE), which operated between 1970 and 1986, and the Permanent Commission for Oceanology (CPO), between 1979 and 1986..