Aarhus 2017 gives RETHINK Award to Anni Marquard

Wednesday night in Ridehuset, Head of Communications at Aarhus 2017 Bent Sørensen gave the Annual Internet Pioneer Award to Anni Marquard in the category ‘RETHINK’. The award was presented during Internet Week Denmark. A festival celebrating the Internet, which Aarhus 2017 supports.

This year, Head of Communications at Aarhus 2017 Bent Sørensen presented the Internet Pioneer Award in the category ‘RETHINK’. The award was given to an idea that has led to the Internet being used for non-commercial purposes within the fields of sustainability, democracy, citizenship or diversity.

Thomas Madsen-Mygdal was nominated for introducing blogging, Twitter and videoblogging to the Danish public, while Morten Lervig was nominated for uniting art and IT and making it accessible to Danes.

In the end, Anni Marquard was announced winner in the ‘RETHINK’ category. She received the award for her work with Cyberhus, which is an online place for children and youths who need someone to help them with different aspects of their life.

Anni Marquard was the first in Denmark to spot how the internet could be useful for children and youths in difficult situations. The idea has since developed into Centre for Digital Youth Care. In addition to this, she has been a strong role model for everyone who wants to make a difference for young people who need help.

Anni Marquard expressed her gratitude in her acceptance speech:

”Thank you very much for the award and the honour. I am happy and proud to receive this award. The last 15 years have been a long and fantastic digital journey. A journey not about collecting money or advertising sales – but about closeness, help and care for children and young people and making a difference using the Internet. Every year, 60,000 children and young people come to us for guidance online. And we can only provide help for everyone because we have so many digital volunteers. Therefore, this award belongs not only to me, but to everyone who has been part of the journey the last 15 years.”

Head of Communications at Aarhus 2017 Bent Sørensen with the winner of the 'RETHINK' Award Anni Marquard from Cyberhus.

The Internet Pioneer Awards is an annual event that celebrate Danes and people living in Denmark who have made a difference online. The awards are given to pioneers whose ideas have improved or promoted the use of the internet in significant ways.

See a full overview of winners of the Annual Pioneer Awards.