PRoF HONORARY AWARD 2017: PROF DR ETIENNE VERMEERSCH

Jan Van Hecke presented philosopher Etienne Vermeersch with the PRoF Honorary Award 2017. Etienne Vermeersch may be in his eighties, but he is still very much alive and kicking. He is one of the leading intellectuals in Flanders and has more than once spurred public debate on social issues such as euthanasia and abortion.
 
That was not the only reason, however, for rewarding Etienne Vermeersch with the PRoF Honorary Award 2017. The PRoF Theme Days 2017 focused on social isolation and loneliness in older people.
Though already in his eighties, Etienne Vermeersch is far from lonely and still plays a very active role in social life. When asked about the secret to staying happy in old age, Etienne Vermeersch pointed at the importance of committing yourself and being driven by what you do.

Though he supports the initiatives taken by numerous organisations to combat loneliness and social exclusion, he’s a firm believer of a bottom-up approach. According to him, being involved, being part of a community starts at a young age. Young people should be stimulated to join youth associations, take part in volunteering groups etc. This way, they learn to reach out and engage with other people and society as a whole.
 
Though Etienne Vermeersch has already received numerous awards, such as the Flemish Community Honours Award 2016, he feels absolutely honoured to have won the PRoF Honorary Award: “It’s important to keep questioning yourself. To take a step back and ask yourself whether you’re on the right track. Awards such as these are a great support to me. It means that people approve of my ideas and that I’m going in the right direction.”