Prestigious Abu Dhabi Awards open nomination for 2015

The prestigious Abu Dhabi Awards has launched for 2015 - marking the tenth anniversary since the initiative's introduction in 2005.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Government of Abu Dhabi first launched the Abu Dhabi Awards in 2005 to celebrate individuals who have selflessly volunteered their time to build and support the community of Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Awards 2015 will once again ask the community to nominate its unsung heroes.

The nomination period for the Abu Dhabi Awards 2015 is from Sunday, May 10, to Saturday, June 27, 2015.

The Awards recognise those members of the community who have made a difference to the lives of people in Abu Dhabi through their good deeds. Anyone considered to have made a positive contribution to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi can be nominated for an Award regardless of their age, gender or nationality. Even someone who lives overseas is eligible, as long as they have added to the goodness of the community in Abu Dhabi.

Since 2005, there have been a total of 63 recipients with nominations totalling more than 220,000.

A spokesperson from the Abu Dhabi Awards Organising Committee said: "We are proud that over the last decade, so many people have engaged with the Abu Dhabi Awards initiative by nominating people they feel have made a positive contribution to Abu Dhabi, and through this, unsung heroes are getting the recognition they deserve for their selfless deeds."

"The Awards continue to grow year after year, and we are hoping to hear and see more inspiring stories to tell in 2015."

Fares Hamad Fares, Etisalat's Vice President Corporate Communications, said: "We're extremely proud to be partnering with such an important and noble initiative such as the Abu Dhabi Awards. It's important to the people of Abu Dhabi that they become engaged and nominate as many people as they think are worthy of an Award, and we will be supporting the campaign to ensure this."

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Mahmood, chairman and executive director of Abu Dhabi Media, said: "The Abu Dhabi Awards initiative is extremely valuable in engaging the public and recognising those people in Abu Dhabi who contribute selflessly to improving the lives of others. We're looking forward to supporting the initiative as much as we can, by sharing the rewarding stories of past recipients, reporting on the progress of the campaign, and encouraging people to nominate."

The reach of the Awards is far and wide, it ranges from fields of health, education, environment and charity, or simply individuals who have inspired others.

Nominators can visit the Abu Dhabi Awards stands in shopping malls across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region, or look out for one of the 90 nomination drop-boxes across the Emirate, or post a completed nomination form online via the Awards official website (www.abudhabiawards.ae).

An Abu Dhabi Awards activation team will also be travelling throughout the Emirate to generate interest and accept nominations.

After nominations close, all entries will be evaluated by the Abu Dhabi Awards Committee, comprising leading dignitaries, officials and senior industry figures, who will produce a shortlist of the most qualified candidates.