Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the twelfth edition of the Abu Dhabi Awards has officially commenced. This year’s initiative invites citizens, residents, and even non-residents to nominate selfless individuals who have dedicated their time and efforts to serve the community and lend a helping hand. The announcement coincides with the “Year of Community,” marked by the slogan “Hand in Hand,” as the awards continue to celebrate two decades of honoring inspirational figures who have made significant contributions to the development and welfare of the UAE community.
Celebrating Two Decades of Altruism
Since its inception in 2005, the Abu Dhabi Awards has honored 100 individuals from 18 different nationalities, recognizing their impactful contributions across various fields, including community service, sustainability, healthcare, voluntary work, and cultural and environmental initiatives, as well as empowering people of determination. The awardees serve as a testament to the notion that every good deed—no matter how small—can create a positive ripple effect, inspiring others to take on active and constructive roles within society.
The Nomination Process
This year, the Abu Dhabi Awards has officially opened the nomination period, inviting everyone from across the nation to recognize those with inspiring contributions. Nominations can be submitted through an accessible online platform available throughout the year, highlighting that a single nomination can suffice for an individual to win the award, depending on the impact and societal value of their contribution.
Community Awareness Campaigns
To foster community awareness, the Abu Dhabi Awards has launched the campaign “Goodness is Everywhere,” which includes field visits to malls, schools, and construction sites. This public engagement initiative features the distribution of care packages and organizes interactive activities for children and families, aiming to promote a culture of giving and appreciation for the silent and dedicated contributors to society.
Workshops and Community Engagement
The organizing committee also plans to conduct workshops and informational meetings in collaboration with various institutions in the country to spotlight the award and its values while entrenching a culture of appreciation and generosity within the community. Mahra Al Shamsi, a member of the organizing committee, stated that “every nomination submitted is a celebration of the values we cherish in our society. The award aims to honor acts of goodwill that represent the diverse segments of the community, inspiring those around them to serve the nation with sincerity.” She emphasized that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the awards, during which numerous outstanding individuals have been honored for their contributions to the UAE community. Each citizen is encouraged to participate by nominating exemplary individuals, as one nomination could spark a compelling story for future generations.
During a press briefing held today at the Artisan House in Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) conducted several interviews with Mahra Al Shamsi and previous awardees, who shared their experiences of how the awards positively impacted their personal lives and transformed them into role models within society. This reinforces the award’s role as a source of inspiration and support for humanitarian efforts in the UAE.
For more information or to submit nominations, please visit the official site: www.abudhabiawards.ae.