You can find more pictures of the event HERE.

The International Martin Luther Foundation (IMLS) honoured Margrethe Vestager at the 15th Luther Conference. The Chairman of the Foundation, Dr Thomas A. Seidel, is delighted that Margrethe Vestager, "an impressive personality who embodies the Reformation values of Martin Luther both professionally and privately", has received the award.

As Commissioner for Competition at the European Union, Margrethe Vestager has been campaigning for tax justice and fair market conditions since 2014 and takes analytically clear and courageous action against competition offences. In order to protect the interests of consumers, Vestager combats the formation of cartels that damage the economy and the monopoly position of companies that jeopardise the market. She also does not shy away from disputes with large international technology companies.

Since 2019, Vestager has also been one of the Executive Vice-Presidents of the EU and Commissioner for Digital Affairs.

In her acceptance speech, award winner Margrethe Vestager said the following about the motivation behind her work: "Our goal is to ensure that we can pursue our dreams with respect for other people. That our policies give everyone a chance to contribute to and enrich our society. We want to support women in their quest for true equality. And to help create a social safety net that protects the most vulnerable. For all of us to feel that we belong to our social market economy, we need two things: a wide range of affordable options. And fairness and trust in our markets. I am very honoured to receive this award. It reflects the work that we do."

For Peter Skov-Jakobsen, Bishop of Copenhagen, it was "a great honour" to be able to express his "respect for a woman who has dedicated her life entirely to politics" in his laudatory speech for the awardee. Turning to the prizewinner, he said: "You know that a political person must listen with their heart in order to be relevant in the debate."

The keynote speech “(Un)freedom in Europe. Socio-economic observations” was given by Professor. Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende. Mr. Balkenende was Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2002 to 2010. Today he teaches at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

The Luther Conference opened with a panel discussion. The correspondence between the two humanists Erasmus of Rotterdam and Martin Luther, which began in 1519, formed the historical starting point for the current discussion in Erasmus' home city on the topic of "Free trade and free will? Erasmus, Luther and the economic issues of today".

The International Martin Luther Foundation organised the Luther Conference 2022 together with the Erasmus Economics & Theology Institute of the University of Rotterdam and REFORC (Reformation Research Consortium). The event was supported by the German Embassy and the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce in The Hague.