On 10 September 2011 EESC member Luis Miguel Pariza Castaños (Employers’ group, Spain) was invited to Torrevieja (Spain), where he was awarded, on behalf of the EESC, with the Golden Prize 2011 by the Spanish immigrants’ NGO, ‘Asila’. He was granted this prize, on behalf of the EESC, in recognition of its work in favour of just living conditions for migrants and its constant fight against xenophobia and racism. To note this recognition EESC President Staffan Nilsson invited Mr Pariza Castanos to come before the plenary and explain the award and remind everybody about the body of Committee work and commitment that lies behind the award.