United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson receives the Wolfram Engels Prize for creating the innovative social welfare model “Wisconsin Works,” which he introduced during his tenure as governor of the state.

The main element behind “Wisconsin Works” is the principle “support with expectations.” Only those who are ready to help society in the form of work, whatever their skills may be, can receive state assistance. At the same time, the state helps those in the program intensively and without bureaucracy to try to find work.

The model has attracted international attention due to its tremendous sociopolitical success. It succeeded in reducing the number of recipients of state help in Wisconsin by 90%