On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Claus of the Netherlands, His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange presented the Prince Claus Awards on December 12 at the Royal Palace, Amsterdam.

The theme of the awards for 2000 was Urban Heroes. The awards go to people whose resourceful initiatives have made a positive contribution to public welfare in rapidly expanding cities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Principal 2000 Prince Claus Awards was awarded to three Urban Heroes from Latin America. Jaime Lerner, Curitiba and Viva Rio, both of Brazil, and Francisco Toledo (Mexico).

Among the 10 prize winners of 20 000 Euros each, were the South African organisations Bush Radio and the Film Resource Unit.

Bush Radio is a radio station which began broadcasting illegally in Cape Town in 1993. In discussions with listeners its programmes address such subjects as Aids and Truth and Reconciliation in a unique and creative way.

The Film Resource Unit was founded in 1986 in Johannesburg and distributes African films throughout southern Africa. FRU has managed to establish a collaborative network across the borders of this region.