British man receives UN award for founding micronation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 14:51 · Archive

Daniel Jackson, 21, received a United Nations award for humanitarian work after declaring himself president of the Free Republic of Verdis in the Balkans.

Daniel Jackson, 21, from Dover, Kent, received a United Nations award for humanitarian work at a UN gala in New York. The award was presented by the Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research in recognition of aid provided by the Free Republic of Verdis to the Ivory Coast.

Jackson declared the Free Republic of Verdis on 30 May 2019 after he and childhood friends noticed unclaimed patches of land along the Danube River that neither Croatia nor Serbia had claimed. The group had first conceived the idea of starting their own country when they were 14. The land, officially known as Pocket-3 on maps, is slightly larger than Vatican City.

Jackson, who made himself president, delivered a speech upon accepting the award. He said the experience was 'very nerve-wracking' and noted the presence of 'high-end people' at the event. Jackson was subsequently invited to address the United Nations General Assembly Youth Mobilisation Segment on 9 October, with Verdis's Humanitarian Affairs Minister Jeffrey Li speaking on behalf of the micronation about its past efforts and future plans.

How it is being reported

• Brit gets United Nations award after declaring his own country in the BalkansDaniel Jackson was invited to address the UN this year after he and fellow leaders of the Free Republic of Verdis were commended for fundraising for the Ivory CoastThe Mirror · 22 Oct, 14:04
• British man, 21, who founded his own country receives award from the United NationsDaniel Jackson (left) has been recognised by the United Nations (Picture: SWNS) A Brit who declared himself president of his own country after claiming land in the Balkans has now received an award from the United Nations . Daniel Jackson, 21, first thought up the idea of starting his own country…Metro · 22 Oct, 12:16

In this story: Daniel Jackson · Free Republic of Verdis · United Nations · Balkans · Danube River · Croatia · Serbia · Ivory Coast

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