TCI: Human Rights Commission Launches Humanitarian Awards

#Providenciales, November 15, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is set to host the first ever Humanitarian of the Year Awards 2018 to highlight the selfless acts of persons living within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On Friday, November 9^th the HRC announced that the nomination process was officially open throughout the country, allowing persons to nominate residents within two categories: The Humanitarian Award and the Young Humanitarian Award.

Residents have now until December 7^th to nominate any individual or organization of the Turks and Caicos Islands whom they feel have demonstrated the spirit of humanity in a local, national or international capacity by:

• Promoting mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation and lasting peace among all people;
• Contributing to the alleviation of human suffering, protection of life, or the promotion of health;
• Educating the public on the meaning and importance of humanity and human dignity;
• Promoting respect for all human beings.

Nominees must be a resident of the TCI and must be persons who have consistently demonstrated qualities of compassion and humanitarian values through integrity, responsibility, mutual respect, human equality, courage and moral progress.

‘When we look around us at our beautiful islands we see underserved communities, increasing crime levels, violence and division.  We need to build a better society, and this award is one way in which we can help make that society a reality.  In honouring people who work to help others, who work to rebuild communities and promote unity instead of division, we promote humanitarian behaviour.  In promoting that selfless behaviour, we hope that more people will model the humanitarians in our midst and say to themselves, ‘I can do that.’ stated Director of the TCI Human Rights Commission, Sabrina Green.

Green further remarked; “When our youth see one of their own celebrated for the good work that they do in our communities, they know that they are noticed, that they are valued and that they can make a difference.  It is only when our young people are fully engaged with our communities that we can create a society that is more unified, less crime and one where all people are treated fairly.  After all, you cannot change a society by changing its old men, you change it by teaching its children.’

Once nominations are closed, a shortlist of nominees will be created from individuals with the most nominations following which a Selection Committee will be tasked with selecting the winners based on the pre-set criteria’s. The winner of the Humanitarian of the Year and the Young Humanitarian Award will be revealed during an awards celebration slated for Saturday, December 15^th at the Shore Club Resort.

The HRC is also encouraging persons to make advance purchase of tickets as space is limited.

Green said: ‘There are some remarkable people in our communities who put the quality of life of others above their own, who diligently work with people less fortunate than themselves, who spend their lives working to create a fairer, more secure society for our children to inherit.  This is an opportunity for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands to come together and celebrate the best of us, our brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, our neighbours and community leaders, an opportunity to say thank you to individuals who work to make everyone’s lives better, so come out and vote, because it matters!’

Residents who wish to cast their nominations can do so by accessing any of the ballot boxes which can be found at the locations below;

Grand Turk

• Fortis
• Cockpit Lounge

Salt Cay

• District Commissioners Office

Providenciales

• Human Rights Commission, Graceway Plaza, Leeward Highway
• IGA Graceway Plaza
• Smart IGA, Downtown
• Gilley’s at Providenciales International Airport
• Fortis, Leeward Highway
• PTV, Stubbs Diamond Plaza, The Bight

North Caicos

• District Commissioners Office

Middle Caicos

• District Commissioners Office

South Caicos

• District Commissioners Office

The Turks and Caicos Islands Humanitarian of the Year and the Young Humanitarian of the Year Awards will be presented each year. Each recipient will receive an award certificate, crystal emblem of the HRC in addition to other prizes and will be honored at the Humanitarian of the Year Awards Ceremony in December of each year.

Release: TCI Human Rights Commission Humanitarian Awards Committee