Harald Binder receives Order "For Merits"

Dr. Harald Binder was awarded the Order "For Merits" (Third Grade) at the Center for Urban History on 18 December 2009. The award was presented on behalf of Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko by Lviv’s mayor, Andriy Sadoviy. The mayor noted the contribution Dr. Binder, who is general director and foundation board president of the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe, has made to the development of Lviv. Mr. Sadoviy emphasized that the Center for Urban History, by studying Lviv’s past, is shaping its present. The institute creates an atmosphere of openness, encourages lively discussion and the exchange of knowledge, he said.

The laudatio was held by Dr. Ostap Sereda (Ivan Krypiakevych Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Academy of Sciences), who among other things recollected the earliest phase of the Center's history.

In accepting the award, Dr. Binder said: "Receiving this award is a great honor... I believe this award belongs not only to me, but is deserved by the entire staff at the Center for Urban History. This institute -- the Center for Urban History of East Central Europe -- has an excellent reputation not only in Ukraine, but abroad as well. I am delighted that I can add to the positive image of Ukraine and Lviv."