July 13, 2016, during the ceremonial Gala Concert of the II International Music Festival for Children, Youth and Adults with Hearing Disorders “Beats of Cochlea” Minister Marek Michalak distinguished professor Henryk Skarżyński with an Honorary Badge of Merit for the Protection of Children’s Rights.

The laudation in honour of Professor says: “Childhood is a special time to explore the world, to experience it with all your senses. Not everyone, however, is given that privilege right away. Thanks to Henryk Skarżyński, the doctor of children senses, not only they hear how the world wakes up in the morning, but they fall in love with the sounds, devote themselves to music and develop their talents. Thanks to professor, they overcome their own barriers and can fully understand the world around them. Henryk Skarżyński – like a real conductor – sets the silence in rhythm, in this case – the joyful rhythm of children’s laughter. We call professor – with full conviction – an outstanding ambassador for children’s rights. With his help, not only this world-renowned medical one, but also human and friendly, children can play, learn, participate in cultural and sports events and fulfil themselves through their basic rights. Professor Henryk Skarżyński does not cure just to cure; he cures to give their patients the chance to fulfil childhood dreams”.

The Honorary Badge of Merit for the Protection of Children’s Rights is a Polish departmental decoration established by the President of the Republic of Poland, which is an honourable distinction for outstanding achievements in the field of children’s rights protection.

It is worth mentioning that this is the second such prestigious award, which professor Henryk Skarżyński received from the Minister. In 2013, an exceptional decoration awarded only by children “Order of the Smile” was given to professor Skarżyński by Marek Michalak, Chancellor of the International Jury of the Order of the Smile and the Ombudsman for Children.