On 19 December 1949, Kurt Pfeiffer[de] presented to the reading group "Corona Legentium Aquensis", which he had founded, his proposals for the prize: "We have the honour of proposing annual presentation of an international prize for the most valuable contribution in the services of Western European understanding and work for the community, and in the services of humanity and world peace. This contribution may be in the field of literary, scientific, economic or political endeavour."
The sponsors of the prize, the city of Aachen, refer to Charlemagne as the "Founder of Western Culture", and assert that under his reign, the city of Aachen was once the spiritual and political centre of the whole of what is now western Europe.
Following the presentation of the award to the Italian Prime Minister Alcide de Gasperi in 1952, the International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen has repeatedly sent messages going far beyond Germany and promoting the "unity of Europe".
The sponsors promote that the Charlemagne Prize is not only an expression of gratitude for lasting services for the unity of Europe, but also an encouragement and an expression of hopes and expectations directed towards the future. They quote Kurt Pfeiffer: "the Charlemagne Prize reaches into the future, and at the same time it embodies an obligation – an obligation of the highest ethical value. It is directed at a voluntary union of the European peoples without constraint, so that in their newfound strength they may defend the highest earthly goods – freedom, humanity and peace – and safeguard the future of their children and children's children."
In April 2008, the organisers of the Charlemagne Prize and the European Parliament jointly created a new European Charlemagne Youth Prize, which recognises contributions by young people towards the process of European integration.
Fellowship
Since 2019, the Charlemagne Prize Academy has annually awarded fellowships [2] to support researchers working on issues relevant to Europe’s future integration.
"[for] his tireless work for European unification and in appreciation of the responsible task he set himself as founder of the European University in Bruges"
"[for] his constant promotion of European unification. His tireless dedication, driven by a sense of reality, to political and economic cooperation among the European peoples with the ultimate goal of supranational unity has achieved significant practical results."
"[for] his creative contributions to the cause of European unification. With clear, purposeful striving, the prize winner laid the intellectual and practical foundations of the first sovereign, supranational European institution and, despite many difficulties, led it to a vibrant and effective operation."
"[for] his services to the defense of the highest human good, freedom, and for the successful call of young people to secure the future of Europe through unification."
"[for] his great achievements in laying the first practical foundations for a European federation in the political and economic spheres and for a shared future of Germany and France in peace and security."
"for his outstanding services to the economic reconstruction of Europe through the Marshall Plan, the strengthening of the idea of unification and the will of the peoples of Western Europe to preserve themselves."
"[for] his life's work and his great services to the unification of Europe, which began in the old League of Nations and has been purposefully continued in the European institutions."
"[for] his unstinting efforts to integrate Great Britain into the unification movement on the continent and of his commitment to the European community of destiny."
"[for] his life's work for the union of the peoples of Europe in a political community dedicated to the preservation of world peace, planned economic development in Europe and overseas, and to the social duties of mankind."
"[for] his decisive stance and purposeful policy of European cooperation in the economic field, in joint defence and in overcoming national antagonisms."
"[for his] profound connoisseur of Romanesque and Germanic intellectual life and their manifold interrelations, the guardian and tireless promoter of the Franco-German friendship pact, which is the cornerstone of the future European state."
"[for] his life and work, his courageous criticism and forward-looking ideas, for a European unity whose strength is based on freedom and independence, on political and social responsibility towards the world and spiritual radiation from a variety of rich sources."
"[for] his services in promoting responsible cooperation by the Federal Republic of Germany in the European Communities and his tireless efforts to consolidate and further develop these among the peoples of Europe."
"[for] his untiring efforts to integrate his country into the European Community, whose purpose is the personal freedom of its citizens and respect for human rights, the joint promotion of the economy and social progress and the defence of its ideals."
"[for] her work for the unification of Europe and her resolute advocacy of the rights of the first freely and directly elected representation of all the peoples of Europe united in the European Community."
"[for] his decisive work towards a Europe united with Spain and his powerful and courageous advocacy of the principles of justice and freedom that underpin the continent."
"[for] his successful efforts for peace and understanding and his advocacy of a balanced partnership with a Europe that has grown stronger as a union."
"[for] their continuous and successful efforts to achieve lasting friendship between their countries and to maintain and consolidate the European Community."
"[for] their continuous and successful efforts to achieve lasting friendship between their countries and to maintain and consolidate the European Community."
"[for] his long-standing, unwavering commitment to the strengthening of Europe, in particular for the integration of the regions of Eastern Europe into the European Union."
"[for] the partnership and cooperation with the European states to expand and deepen the union, to uphold human rights and freedom, and as a thank you from the Europeans to the American people for building democracy and prosperity after 1945."
"[for] his outstanding achievements as a European humanist, world citizen and bridge-builder for justice and reconciliation, and thus for the growing together of Europe."
"[for] his outstanding commitment to revitalising and strengthening multilateral cooperation based on the common values and goals of the European Union and the United Nations."
"as a signal against anti-Semitism, violence and hatred, for tolerance, dialogue and understanding and as a sign that Jewish life in Europe is a matter of course."
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![After awarding the Charlemagne Prize 2015 to Martin Schulz, the dignitaries met on stage at Aachen Katschhof [de]. From left to right can be seen: Bernd Buttgens (official spokesman of the city of Aachen), Armin Laschet (Parliamentary group leader of the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia), Francois Hollande (President of France), Martin Schulz (President of the European Parliament), Joachim Gauck (President of Germany), Felipe VI (King of Spain), Petro Poroshenko (President of Ukraine), Sauli Niinisto (President of Finland), Simonetta Sommaruga (President of Switzerland), Hannelore Kraft (Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia), Jurgen Linden (Speaker of the board of directors of the Charlemagne Prize of the city of Aachen). KarlspreisKatschhof2015.jpg](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/KarlspreisKatschhof2015.jpg/960px-KarlspreisKatschhof2015.jpg)
