Abu Dhabi Awards shine spotlight on outstanding individuals who make a difference to the community

Abu Dhabi Awards shine spotlight on outstanding individuals who make a difference to the community

Nominations for the 2011 Abu Dhabi Awards open tomorrow

(Abu Dhabi, 20 August 2011): The Abu Dhabi Awards Organising Committee announced that nominations for the 2011 Abu Dhabi Awards will open tomorrow Sunday, 21st August 2011.

Through the commitment of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, to preserve the legacy of our nation's late father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Government of Abu Dhabi has chosen to celebrate compassionate individuals who have selflessly volunteered their time to build and support the community of Abu Dhabi.

Established under the guidance and auspices of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Abu Dhabi Awards is a biennial ceremony that honours and recognises individuals who have contributed in building a greater sense of community and social welfare within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

A spokesperson of the Abu Dhabi Awards Organising Committee said: “The Abu Dhabi Awards Organising Committee is delighted to announce the commencement of the 2011 Abu Dhabi Awards. We call on residents and citizens across the Emirate to nominate. One nomination is all it takes to recognise someone’s contribution and make a difference to their life.”

Launched in 2005, and now entering the sixth Award program , the Abu Dhabi Awards seek to recognise and celebrate people who have made a lasting, positive contribution to the community.

The Abu Dhabi Awards are presented to citizens, residents and non-residents of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi regardless of age or nationality. There are no specific categories from which recipients are chosen, meaning that anyone can be nominated for an Award.

This year, the nomination criteria have been expanded. For the first time, in addition to accepting nominations for those citizens and residents who live here in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Awards will also be accepting nominations for people who are doing good deeds for the benefit of Abu Dhabi from overseas.

Expanding the scope of nomination criteria aims to ensure that the Awards recognise as many people as possible whose work is immeasurably improving the community.

Nominations will open on Sunday, 21 August 2011 through to Saturday, 24 September 2011. There are four ways to submit a nomination for the Awards:

• Visit one of the 100 nomination stations located across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia;
• Submit an online nomination via www.abudhabiawards.ae;
• Stop by the touring Abu Dhabi Awards nomination bus;
• Post a completed nomination form to PO Box 44442, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The nomination phase will be followed by a screening and review period, following which the 2011 recipients will be announced and honoured at a prestigious ceremony held at the Emirates Palace in December.

The Abu Dhabi Awards has partnered with three organisations to deliver media, telecommunications and volunteering services that are key in delivering a successful programme.

This year’s media partner is Abu Dhabi Media. Shaikha Al Shamsi,  Associate Director of Corporate Branding, Abu Dhabi Media said: “Abu Dhabi Media is proud to support this year’s Abu Dhabi Awards, honouring those making a difference in our Emirate.  Across Abu Dhabi you’ll find individuals committed to making a positive impact on our community and the Abu Dhabi Awards honours the best. Throughout our print, online and broadcast media brands we are pleased to be recognising the programme and the individuals being awarded.”

Commenting on Etisalat’s contribution in supporting the Abu Dhabi Awards through a telecommunications partnership, Ali Al Ahmed, Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Etisalat, said: “The Abu Dhabi Awards seek to honour and recognise those who have contributed to society, and this has prompted Etisalat to support the initiative. This initiative is particularly important, as the loving nature of the UAE community and its good-will sees no boundaries.”

Takatof volunteers will play an important part in finding this year’s recipients. Maytha Al Habsi, Director of the Takatof Programme, said: “The volunteer teams from Takatof Programme will take part in screening thousands of nominations to find Abu Dhabi’s unsung heroes. Our participation in organising this prestigious Awards stems from the programme keenness to support creative initiatives, which aims to give back to the Emirati society – an objective which Takatof is working hard to achieve.”

In total, there have been 46 Abu Dhabi Award recipients, representing a diverse range of remarkable contributions. These have included environmental conservation, providing support and succour to the sick and elderly, inspirational teachers, the promotion of the arts and culture, history and infrastructure as well as recognising works for charitable causes.

What sets recipients apart has been their dedicated contribution to the community combined with the inspirational example they provide.

For further information about the Abu Dhabi Awards, including details on how to nominate and a list of past recipients, please visit www.abudhabiawards.ae.