Your chance to nominate your community heroes
Abu Dhabi, April 22, 2013: The Abu Dhabi Awards Organizing Committee officially announced the start of the nomination period for Abu Dhabi Awards 2013.
This year, the public is being urged to nominate more than one person in their own community and to think of unsung everyday heroes. People can nominate anyone for an Abu Dhabi Award who they believe have selflessly made a positive impact on the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Nominations can be done by:
- visiting the Abu Dhabi Awards website www.abudhabiawards.ae
- visiting the dedicated stands and drop-boxes across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain city and the Western Region
- posting a completed nomination form to PO Box 44442, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Everyone is encouraged to nominate people who have contributed to building and supporting Abu Dhabi, regardless of age, nationality or gender. This includes Abu Dhabi citizens, residents and non-residents whose good deeds have benefited the Emirate, as well as Abu Dhabi citizens performing good deeds internationally. There are no specific categories from which recipients are chosen, anyone whose good deeds have made outstanding contributions to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and anyone who is doing a good deed for the benefit of the Emirate can be nominated and honored.
Nominations have opened on April 21 and will run to May 31 with all the latest information at www.abudhabiawards.ae where people can also submit a nomination online.
Previous recipients have spoken about the honour of winning the previous Abu Dhabi Awards as the nomination period for 2013 opens and encourage everyone to participate during the nomination period.
At the age of just ten, Abdul Muqeet Abdul Mannan became the youngest ever recipient in 2011 following his environmental work in reducing plastic bag usage by creating bags from old newspapers.
"It is fantastic that the Abu Dhabi Awards are starting again and I will be nominating along with all my family and friends," said the schoolboy, who is from India.
"It is a huge honour and I cannot wait to see who receives an award this year."
Dr. Taisser Atrak was also a 2011 recipient for his work in paediatrics in Abu Dhabi and for raising an awareness campaign for the wellbeing of children and those who care for them.
"It was a very proud occasion when I received an Abu Dhabi Award and this year I urge as many people as possible to get involved - it is a truly magnificent project for the whole of Abu Dhabi," he said.
Since being launched in 2005, there have been 56 Abu Dhabi Award recipients. Previous recipients made outstanding contributions in areas such as environmental conservation, caring for the sick and elderly, promoting arts and culture, supporting charitable causes and philanthropy.
This year the supporting partners are Abu Dhabi Media, Etisalat and Takatof.
Shamma Al-Khazraji, Abu Dhabi Media's Executive Director of Marketing Communications, commented: "Abu Dhabi Media is committed to supporting our local community, and this commitment is reflected in our support for the Abu Dhabi Awards. The awards are an opportunity to recognize outstanding members of society across our emirate, and with nominations now open, we encourage all members of our community to take part and nominate deserving individuals."
"With the support and vision of leaders in the UAE, there are many individuals achieving truly great things," added Etisalat Senior Vice President of Brand and Communication, Ahmed Al Hashemi.
"Abu Dhabi Awards helps put them in the spotlight and we are proud to be a sponsor and will be helping drive nominations up until the end of May."
Takatof will be providing volunteers throughout Abu Dhabi Awards 2013, an especially important role during the nomination period.
Maytha Al Habsi, the Chief Programme Officer at Emirates Foundation for Youth Development said: "From today our volunteers will be out in the communities helping collect nominations and we are all really enthusiastic about what is happening this year."
"Our participation this year at the Awards is within our support to national entities and successful initiatives that add a value to the Emirati society."
Visit www.abudhabiawards.ae for all Abu Dhabi Awards information and the opportunity to nominate online.
About The Abu Dhabi Awards
During his memorable lifetime, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the United Arab Emirates, believed in the generosity and kindness of the people of the UAE. The affection he bestowed upon his people emanated from his faith in humanity and trust in the belief that every person is inherently selfless and capable to care for others and their community.
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, 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.
Through their selfless action, Abu Dhabi Awards recipients illustrate the legacy of the nation's father.
Society is being encouraged to nominate people who have contributed to building and supporting a community, regardless of age, nationality or gender; this includes Abu Dhabi citizens, residents and non-residents whose good deeds have benefited the Emirate, as well as Abu Dhabi citizens performing good deeds internationally.
Award recipients are selected based on their deeds and actions, not by how many nominations they received - one nomination is all it takes!
In January 2013, the Abu Dhabi Awards has launched a competition called "Musahamati" aimed at engaging the youth of the Emirate to develop their own enduring vision of goodness in the community and encourage young minds of Abu Dhabi to spread goodness in their communities.
About Abu Dhabi Media
Abu Dhabi Media is one of the fastest growing, multi-platform media and entertainment organizations in the Middle East, operating across the broadcast, publishing, and digital media sectors.
The company manages over 20 market-leading brands in two categories: brands that serve the UAE through a defined public service role; and brands that target the wider Arab world with clear commercial objectives. Abu Dhabi Media maintains partnerships with a number of leading companies in the international media space.
Abu Dhabi Media also owns and operates subsidiaries in film, outdoor broadcast, and printing.
About Etisalat
Etisalat is the largest telecommunications operator in the Middle East and North Africa region catering to consumers, businesses, international telecommunication companies, ISPs, content providers and mobile operators.
Servicing over 139 million customers in 15 countries in Middle East, Asia and Africa, Etisalat has achieved more than 20% growth in subscriber base in 2012 across its land line, mobile, and Internet services.
Etisalat is now the highest overall rated telecommunications company in the GCC and the 4th highest rated telecommunications company in the world. It has been rated AA- by Standard & Poor, A+ by Fitch, and Aa3 by Moody's.
Etisalat UAE has pioneered the launch of the region's first commercial 4G service on its nation-wide LTE network. In September 2012, Etisalat UAE successfully completed the highest 4G LTE speed test in the world, reaching speeds of 300Mbps.
The corporation offers a variety of hi-tech complimentary services to the telecommunications industry including managerial and technical training, SIMcard manufacturing, e-payment solutions, clearing house services, peering, voice and data transit, and submarine and land cable services.
About Takatof
Takatof is an initiative by the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development that aims to promote the culture of volunteering in the United Arab Emirates.
By highlighting opportunities and capturing new audiences, Takatof communicates with communities at all levels to form a greater appreciation for volunteering, while at the same time helping local people to enhance their skills and competencies.
Takatof organises volunteering opportunities for a variety of international and local events that respond to the needs of the community.
With a key objective of engaging youth in social issues, Takatof is a program based upon the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
For additional information please visit www.takatof.ae
For more information please contact:
Matt Slater
Director
Seven Media
Mobile: 00971 (0)50 8120599
Email address: mattslater@sevenmedia.ae
© Press Release 2013
