The two 2007 prizewinners

Dr Jérôme Wolo, a polio sufferer, has set himself the objective of "helping the whole of man and every man, stand upright" by creating in 1992 the Kirkissoye social-health complex in Niger.

With a limited team, Dr Wolo organises consultations (10,000 patients each year) in his dispensary, provides pharmacy services, carries out prevention activities with mothers and infants and ensures that the population is vaccinated. He is also involved in social development through the granting of micro-credits for women, professional training for young people and agricultural and health supervision activities in the context of associations for those dependent on the dispensary.

Philippe Carette, paraplegic following an accident, is an aviation enthusiast. Chairman of the Association Bleu Ciel, he helps those in wheelchairs benefit from flights above the clouds. He also tries to pass on, during training sessions or first-time air trips at the Paul Louis Weiller air club, but also everywhere else that he is invited, the idea that "with motivation guided by passion, Utopia can take off."

Bleu Ciel is an association that promotes the concept that handicapped persons should look more towards their skills than their limits. The planes are specially equipped, enabling pilots in wheelchairs to be trained. "Air therapy" can be considered a first stage towards social insertion.