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The Executive Director of Transparency International Hungary receives a prestigious French state award  

The Executive Director of Transparency International Hungary receives a prestigious French state award  

French President Emmanuel Macron has awarded the Knighthood of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic to József Péter Martin, Executive Director of Transparency International Hungary. The second most prestigious French state medal after the Legion of Honour was delivered by Jonathan Lacôte, Ambassador of France to Budapest, on Thursday evening in Budapest. 

József Péter Martin, Executive Director of Transparency International (TI) Hungary, was awarded the Knighthood of the National Order of Merit of the French Republic at a ceremony at the French Ambassador’s residence. Established in 1963 by former French President Charles de Gaulle, the award recognizes the outstanding merits of deserving civilians and soldiers. The second most prestigious award after the Legion of Honour can be awarded to foreign nationals as an acknowledgement of their engagement to society and their professional activity and service. 

“France is extremely grateful to you for your passionate work, which demonstrates your deep belief in democratic values,” told the Ambassador of France to Budapest in his welcoming speech. Jonathan Lacôte added: “These democratic values are at the heart of the European project and are key for cultivating the relationship between the French and the Hungarian people.” 

Jonathan Lacôte, Ambassafor of France to Hungary photo: Ferenc Isza

Expressing his gratitude for the award, József Péter Martin said: “This recognition is not only for me. It also acknowledges the work done by my team, the Hungarian chapter of Transparency International, by my current and former colleagues, with whom we stand shoulder to shoulder in our work to reveal the ever-deeper layers of corruption and to fight for the values of the European Union such as rule of law, transparency and accountability. The award is also a positive signal to the global movement of Transparency International and to the wider professional community of independent NGOs that are doing what should normally be done to a large extent by the state.”  

József Péter Martin, Executive Director, TI-Hungary photo: Ferenc Isza

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József Péter Martin has been leading TI Hungary since 2013. Before that, he worked as a journalist for economic newspapers for a decade and a half; between 2003 and 2009 he was editor-in-chief of the Hungarian weekly newspaper, Figyelő. Later, from 2010 to 2013, he worked as a consultant. He obtained his MA and PhD degree at Corvinus University of Budapest (BCE), where he is currently senior lecturer at the Department of Public Policy and Management.   

   

 

photos: Ferenc Isza

 

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