Abu Dhabi gets set to recognise acts of goodness in the community

With the 2008 Abu Dhabi Awards campaign due to kick-off in one week’s time, organisers are asking citizens and residents of the Emirate to begin thinking about who they would like to nominate to be a recipient of this prestigious honour.

Now in their fourth year the Abu Dhabi Awards recognise those individuals who have made a positive contribution to the community through their generosity and kindness, honouring the legacy of the Nation’s late father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The Awards are made possible through the commitment of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and under the guidance and auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Building on the growing success of previous years, it is expected that thousands more will support the 2008 campaign by nominating fellow community members during the nomination period September 7 – October 5, 2008. Since its inception in 2005, the Abu Dhabi Awards have generated more than 93,000 nominations which have recognised more than 13,000 individuals for performing selfless acts of goodness that benefit the Emirate and people of Abu Dhabi.

“As we get set to launch the 2008 Abu Dhabi Awards campaign, we invite all residents to start thinking about those people in our community who deserve to be recognised and honoured for their good deeds,” said Maryam Amiri from the Abu Dhabi Awards Organizing Committee.

“It is important that people know there are no specific Award categories – you can nominate absolutely anyone who has performed an act of kindness, no matter how big or small, and it only takes one nomination for someone to receive an Award as it is based entirely on their actions and not on the number of nominations received.”

Abu Dhabi residents of all ages and nationalities are encouraged to participate by nominating and in order to reach as many people as possible the 2008 campaign will be spreading throughout cyberspace with a dynamic new website featuring “The Wall of Goodness” and a student-generated Facebook group, both of which will launch in early September. In addition, the Abu Dhabi Awards outreach program will target universities, colleges and high schools.

This year’s Abu Dhabi Awards Ambassadors include past recipients such as the inspirational Mrs. Farida Siddiqui, a notable social activist and volunteer for a range of charitable organisations including the Red Crescent Society, and Mr. Emad Mohammed Saad, an Abu Dhabi Municipality engineer who is active in several NGOs and has spearheaded successful environmental awareness programmes in schools and other educational institutions.

The nomination process is easier than ever with a range of methods available, including: 111 nomination locations across the entire Emirate of Abu Dhabi; roving nomination stations (the Abu Dhabi Awards smart cars); online nomination registration at www.abudhabiawards.ae, or faxing a nomination form to 800 33300.

This year’s Abu Dhabi Awards ceremony, where the 2008 recipients will be announced, will take place in December at the Emirates Palace Hotel. The Awards will be personally presented by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the ceremony will be televised by Abu Dhabi TV.

Nominations for the 2008 Abu Dhabi Awards will be accepted from Sunday, September 7th, 2008 through Sunday, October 5th, 2008.

For more information on the Awards, residents can visit the website www.abudhabiawards.ae or call the Abu Dhabi Awards hotline at 8003331.