Human Rights Commission Launches Millennium Awards - Call For Nominations

The Human Rights Commission has this year initiated the Human Rights Commission Millennium Awards. The intention of the awards is to recognise grassroots initiatives in the area of human rights.

Commissioner Ross Brereton said that the Millennium Awards recognise outstanding endeavour by individuals or organisations in the promotion and advancement of the rights of all people.

“There is a lot of great work going on in the community, such as promoting action to overcome discrimination and promoting harmony between individuals and groups.”

“The Commission wants to highlight and award some of the best initiatives taking place.”

“I would encourage everyone to obtain a nomination form from the Commission and send their votes in as soon as possible.”

The Awards will be presented on International Human Rights Day, Sunday December 10, in four categories:

1. Individual - any individual who demonstrates outstanding work in the field of human rights, either through their own initiative or as a worker within an organisation or company.
2. Media - an individual who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of human rights through the media (television, print, radio or website).
3. Organisation - non-government organisations (NGOs), public and private sector organisations that have made genuine efforts to promote human rights within or outside their organisation.
4. Youth - recognises the work of a young New Zealander, aged 25 years or under as at 10 December 2000, in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Nominations in all categories close at 12.00 noon, Friday 27th October 2000. Please call 0800 4 YOUR RIGHTS (0800 496 877) to be sent a nomination form.
For further details call Glyn Walters, Human Rights Commission Communications Officer, on 09 375 8627 or 025 313 239.

Eligibility
The subject area covered or organisational programme should be New Zealand based or have a direct link to issues of concern in New Zealand.

 the candidate must demonstrate either excellence in a particular field; innovative and sustained strategies for addressing human rights issues or demonstrable outcomes.
 publications or programmes must have been produced, published, broadcast or implemented by an organisation between 27 October 1999 and 27 October 2000
 candidates must be working on an issue that relates to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international human rights instruments including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and/or the New Zealand Human Rights Act 1993
 children, young people, women and men of all ages, races, ethnic groups and religions are eligible to receive an award
 candidates cannot advocate violence or belong to an organisation that advocates violence
 Commissioners and employees of the Human Rights Commission, Office of the Race Relations Conciliator, Privacy Commissioner and the Commissioner for Children are not eligible for awards

Criteria
Candidates will have actively engaged in work or activities designed to:
 promote action to overcome discrimination or infringement of human rights within New Zealand; or
 promote greater harmony between individuals or groups of different gender, colour, ethnic origin or race within New Zealand; or
 advance the observance of the rights of Maori; or
 advance the ideals and practice of equality of opportunity for all people including those with people disabilities; or
 promote the understanding of the right of privacy especially in relation to the handling of information

Judging
The awards are judged by an independent panel of experts in the field. Decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. Judges provide their services on an honorary basis.

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