The National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada

AWARDS

1 Introduction:

In recent years, Canada has gone through remarkable transformation from a bilingual and bi-cultural nation to a multicultural, multiracial, multilingual and multireligious society. In Toronto alone more than 52% of the residents are from different countries living side by side in peace and harmony. Moreover, these communities are making significant contribution to socio-economic and cultural development of Canada.

Regrettably, their role in shaping the future of Canada is not given the due recognition it desires. They still face great hurdles in playing meaningful and constructive role in Canadian society. They are still viewed as exogenous and not an integral part of Canadian mainstream society.

Recognizing this serious flaw in nation building process, The National Ethnic Press and Media Council has been established with the twin objective of a) promoting the economic, social and cultural interests of ethnic communities, and b) empowering them through information sharing, education, guidance and encouraging their full participation in every sector of Canadian society.

In pursuit of the aforesaid objectives the Council has adopted the policy of honouring members of Canada’s ethnic media as well as recognizing the accomplishments and leadership of individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to advancing cultural harmony in Canada. To that end the Council has instituted annual awards for those individuals. However, to build up solidarity and cohesiveness among ethnic groups, the Council started recognizing two or three individuals from each ethnic group. This approach worked very well in terms of attracting large numbers of people from a variety of ethnic groups and policy makers. The first few years the award distribution ceremony took place in Canadian National Exhibition Place attended by a large number of people including politicians from all levels of governments and the media. For the last two years it has been hosted by the Lieutenant. Governor of Ontario with the Premier of Ontario also in attendance.

These awards served its intended initial purpose extremely well. In that process the awards as well as the Council has acquired respect and importance not only in ethnic communities but also in mainstream society. Hence, it was decided to make these awards more qualitative and prestigious.

With this view in mind, the Council in its February 2006 meeting requested Dr.Bhausaheb Ubale, the Ombudsman to prepare the report with terms of reference for newly constituted awards. Each member was requested to give written input narrating his or her own thoughts on this issue. Only four (one detailed –jointly –from Anne Dawson and Max Wynter, and three short from Dr. Lamba, William Doyle-Marshall and Emily Mills.) submissions were made. Instead of writing this report in narrative form, it is presented below in the bullet form i.e. in terms of recommendations.

2 Recommendations:

2.1 Mission:

To honor the outstanding contributions and achievements of the individuals and organizations in fostering an inclusive and equitable community of communities.

2.2 Who qualifies:

Nominations for awards are open to individual residents and organizations based or operating in Canada (includes voluntary non-profit, business & government agencies) for their outstanding contributions and achievements, and for exceptional activities in journalism and toward developing cultural awareness and harmony for a more inclusive and equitable community in Canada.

2.3 Number of Awards:

Number of Awards to be given should be 20 divided into the following categories: 10 for Journalism Awards and 10 for individuals in the community.

2.4 Categories of Awards:

4.1 Journalism Awards

Ten awards to be presented to the members of the National Press and Media Council of Canada, who are actively working in electronic or print media promoting the interest of ethnic communities or journalists belonging to ethnic backgrounds who have excelled in their field.

Nominations should be open in the following areas:

Reporting
Investigative Journalism
Innovative Journalism
Freelance writers
Columnists
Photojournalists, or
photographers;
Layout and design and other related fields in journalism.

4.2 Community Awards

a) Ethnic Entrepreneurship Award

The Ethnic Entrepreneurship Award recognizes the innovative spirit; dedication and hard work required to become a successful entrepreneur and applauds ethnic entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles in their endeavor to succeed and have made noteworthy contributions to society.

b) Diversity in Business Management Award

The Diversity in Business Award recognizes a business organization that demonstrates a sincere commitment to fostering and actively promoting diversity and tolerance in the workplace and has meaningful management and staff representation of ethnic minorities, including positive progress in the achievement of equal opportunity and active community participation. For consideration the organization should have at least 20% of its Board of Directors or Senior management made up of ethnic minorities and/or women, with at least 3 ethnic groups being represented. No more than 80% of its Board Members should be from one ethnic group.

c) Science and Technology Award

The Science and Technology Award recognizes outstanding achievements of individuals of ethnic heritage who have distinguished themselves in the Science and technology fields, and where achievements have made a significant contribution to the Canadian community at large.

d) Community Service Award

The Community Service Award is presented to distinguish those who professionally and personally by their accomplishments, demonstrate a high degree of multicultural sensitivity and awareness to help create and further an understanding of, as well as sincere appreciation for, all cultures and ethnic groups both at work and in their community

e) Leader of Tomorrow Award

The Leader of Tomorrow Award acknowledges the outstanding contributions by a young person between 16 and 25 years of age who has combined academic excellence and exemplary volunteer service and multicultural leadership in the community, and where achievements have made a significant contribution to enrich our Canadian society.

f) Sports Achievement Award

The Sports Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has worked towards helping individuals from ethnic communities in achieving greatness in sport or an individual from an ethnic community who has achieved greatness in sports.

g) Cultural Awareness Initiative Award

The Cultural Awareness Initiative Award recognizes an ethnic/multicultural or other organization that has demonstrated ongoing leadership in partnership with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds by undertaking innovative projects/approaches that has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to enhance cultural awareness in the general community.

h) Cultural Arts Award

The Cultural Arts Award celebrates outstanding achievements, talents and energies of literary, visual and performing artists of ethnic origins whose cultural arts achievements have made a significant contribution to enrich our Canadian community.

i) Volunteer Involvement Award

The Volunteer Involvement Award recognizes the contribution of an individual volunteer (through their work in an ethno specific or multicultural organization), and their involvement in and development of community outreach programs that bring people of varying cultures together to promote understanding and acceptance of community diversity.

j) Lifetime/Outstanding Achievement Award

The Special Commendation Award recognizes activities performed by individuals from a public agency/ government department, or other important institution, which because of its process, subject and/or effect, results in better understanding, acceptance and positive relations among people of different cultural backgrounds.

3 Award Selection Committee.

The committee should consist of five members elected by the Council with one person acting as Chairman. Committee membership includes three external members and two from the Council with one of the council members performing administrative functions. Three members will constitute a quorum

4 Criteria for selection

The Awards Committee based on the following applicable criteria, will select the Award recipients accordingly:

Significance of the achievement/commitment itself.
The degree to which the nominee’s efforts have influenced cultural awareness and harmony in the general community.
Range of activities. Manner in which the activities were performed.
The outcomes of the efforts for the community. Potential for fundamental and lasting change.
Demonstrated ongoing leadership in partnership with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Outstanding promotion of cultural awareness and harmony in ethno specific, multicultural and the majority communities.
Length of service and degree of commitment displayed by the nominee. The amount of time the nominee has committed to the achievement/activity or to the organization.
Acknowledgement and recognition of the nominee's service by the majority community and/or contribution to an ethno specific community.
Improving interpersonal and inter group relations among diverse groups.
Increasing the institutional success of members from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Improving the quality of life through cultural, artistic, organizational, programmatic, or institutional diversity and excellence initiatives.
Developing partnerships within and beyond communities to achieve goals.
Aspects of leadership may include: self motivation; ability to motivate others; articulating a vision; articulating ideas and activities benefiting the community; implementing a vision, ideas and/or activities for the benefit of the community.

5 Eligibility for the Awards

Eligible Individual nominees could include, but are not limited to, volunteers, educators, writers, community workers, artists, youth, entrepreneurs, media, public employees and all others from the general public.
Eligible Organization nominees could include, but are not limited to, non-profit organizations, businesses, groups or service clubs, educational institutions, government departments and agencies, unions, media, social action groups, professional and trade associations, coalitions, etc.
Individuals and organizations need to be nominated by members of the council for an Award.
An individual or organization may submit one or more nominations. A separate nomination form must be completed for each nomination. (Photocopy for extra Nomination Forms).
Nominations may be made in more than one category; however, separate nomination forms must be submitted for each category.
Self-nominations will not be accepted and nominators cannot be related to the nominee.
Nominees must consent in writing to the nomination as required in the nomination form.
To make a nomination, complete in writing the enclosed nomination form.

6 Conditions for the Awards

The Awards Committee decision is final, and based solely on the information submitted in the nomination package and as specified in the nomination process. No communication will be entered into regarding the outcome until after final decisions have been made.
Only complete nomination packages will be forwarded for judging. Documents will not be returned. Substantiated documentation may be copies of it.
The Awards Committee reserves the right to withhold an Award in any particular year. Nominees are eligible for re nomination in subsequent years; however, an updated application must be submitted.
The Council for editorial, promotional or advertising purposes may use information contained in the completed nomination forms.
All nominees must agree to be publicly acknowledged. They may be approached for publicity purposes before and after the Awards.

7 Nomination Procedure

Each nomination must be submitted on the enclosed Nomination Form (one form per nominee per category) and must be accompanied by originals of the following supporting documents:

A description (in 500 words or less, with an English translation where appropriate) of the nominee's significant contributions or outstanding achievements in the Award category selected, and of the nature and impact of the activities involved (including a clear distinction between paid employment and voluntary activities).
A one-page biography of the person nominated or a short profile of the organization.
Any supporting material that substantiates the nomination would be appreciated, as it will assist the Awards Committee to make their selections. Copies of substantiated documents will be accepted i.e. Certificates, awards, letters of honour given.
Two References who can support the nomination, known to the nominee, with their information as requested in the nomination form.

Please note that in order to be considered, the supporting documents must be originals on 8 1/2" x 11" paper, single sided, without staples, binders or folders. Faxed documents will not be accepted.

7.1 All Nomination Packages must include

A completed nomination form including two references known to the nominee. Please see Nomination form in appendix “A”
A description (500 words) of the nominee's significant contributions or outstanding achievements with documents i.e. published news or write up about him or her/or organization, previous awards and any other related material.
One page biography of the person nominated, or short profile of the organization.

7.2 All nominations must be received no later than the date designated on the nomination form.

7.3 Nominations to be mailed or delivered to

The Awards Coordinator
C/O The National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada
P.O. Box 266, Station 'O', Toronto, ON M4A 2N3
Faxed documents will not be accepted.

8 Selection Process and Nomination Result

The Awards Committee may develop a nominations review process, which may include telephone and/or personal interviews with the nominees. Nominees are ranked in a scoring system to declare a winner for each Award. The final choice rests with the Awards Committee.

Winners will be announced to the Council at its monthly meeting in August, 2006. Committee members will inform the council as to why nominees were chosen and then winners will be notified by telephone and in writing. There will be no review of the selected nominees by the Council Members and the decision of the selection committee is final.

9 Award Presentation

9.1 Plaque:

design and wording to be approved by the Executive Committee of the Council.

9.2 Timing of presentation ceremony.

Submissions differ on this issue. Anne and Max prefer during the month of September at Lt.Governor’s suite, Dr. Lamba prefers December during Christmas, William Doyle-Marshal would like to divide this ceremony in two segments, one during the CNE weekend and another at Christmas time.

The last option looks attractive. The Council could consider holding Awards ceremony for “ Community Groups” during September at the Lt.Governor’s suite with Lt.Governor being the presenter, and for the “Journalist Awards” in December with the Premier being the chief Guest. However, splitting this function into two would minimize its impact. Moreover, presence of Lt.Governor adds prestige to this function.

Only concern I have is of the willingness of the Lt.Governor to continue this tradition or the policy of this successor. As long as the Lt.Governor agrees to host this function we should hold this one function only at the time convenient to the Lt.Governor. Should he or she declines to host this function, the council should consider holding it in the month of December.

9.3 Who should be on the stage during presentation?

It is preferable to have a) Individual reading the citation, b) chairman, c) President, d) Chairman of Selection Committee, and the Chief Guest.

10 How to obtain funds for expenses associated with the awards and award ceremony?

Fund raising is year around endeavor. It requires an establishment of the Special committee of the Council who should explore the ways and means of raising the fund.

>-----------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Bhausaheb Ubale, MA, Ph.D eco.(U.K.)O.Ont. (Order of Ontario)

President: International Centre for Eradication of Poverty, Fellow: McLaughlin College, York University

Former Commissioner: Canadian Human Rights Commission;

Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the first Race Relations Commissioner for the Province of Ontario,

83, Kingslake Road, Toronto ON Canada M2J 3E6 . Tel 416 494 4763, Email: bubale@pathcom.com.

Website: http://www.eradicatepoverty.org/.