Young Architect, Engineer, IT Business Founders Recognized for Outstanding Achievements
This year's Outstanding Young Person Award was given out in Haapsalu last Saturday to four laureates: architect Andrus Kõresaar, engineer Dan Bogdanov, and TransferWise founders Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Käärmann.
The award was organized by Junior Chamber International, a youth organization, for the 15th year in Estonia, reported ETV.
Other nominees for the award were Carri Ginter, Epp Petrone, Helen Lepalaan, Kerli Kõiv, Kriss Soonik, Kristjan Randalu, Martin Koppel, Nikolai Novosjolov and Tanel Toom.
The judging committee consisted of Evelin Ilves, Mart Einasto, Heidi Pruuli, Kaspar Loog, Raul Rebane, Riine Pajusaar, Tõnis Kaasik, Monika Pullerits and Tõnis Kõiv.
The award is given to people between the age of 18 and 40 who have achieved major accomplishments in their area of activity, ranging from politics to culture, that have had an impact on society and set examples for youths.
Notable past recipients of the award in Estonia include dramatist Jaan Tätte, politician Kristina Ojuland and Olympic gold medalist Andrus Veerpalu. Two Estonians have also received the World Outstanding Young Person Award, former prime minister Mart Laar in 1993 and IT expert Tarvi Martens in 2007.