The France HABE Prize is awarded by the Karst and the Cave Protection Commission of the International Union of Speleology (UIS).
The prize is named in memory and honour of Dr. France HABE († 10/12/1999) of Slovenia (Yugoslavia), who among his other many accomplishments served as President of the UIS Protection Department (1973-1997). Its purpose is to promote the protection of karst and caves for generations to come. Their natural legacy are proven sources of increasingly rich information about the history of our planet and humanity, enabling people to act more thoughtfully, efficiently, and sustainably for the future of our environment.
The 2020 Prize
Two submissions were received on time from Italy and Mexico. They concern both a film about cave exploration.
The Jury of the France Habe Prize 2020 was composed by 2 members of the Scientific Committee of the UIS Karst and Cave Protection Commission and its President. They noted each submission following an evaluation frame about presentation, compilation, photography, scientific content, legibility and original point of view. They decided unanimously to attribute the France Habe Prize 2020, an amount of € 250, to the best and more original contribution.
The winner of this year is the “Somosloscenotes” project, a popular initiative, without “direction” represented by Olivier Testa, Vincent Rouquette Cathala et Phillip Lehman whose relay structures are to date: Under the Jungle, Gran Acuifero Maya and Dominican Republic Speleological Society.
The winners will present their project in the very next UIS Bulletin.
The Jury congratulates the other participant for his investment in speleology.
Jean-Pierre Bartholeyns
UIS Karst and Cave Protection Commission