Nominations for the 2020 John Gibbard Memorial Award are now being accepted until Friday, October 2nd.
Do you know of a youth or youth group working to make a positive change in our world? Nominate them today for the John Gibbard Award.
This is an annual award given by UNAC-Vancouver on the occasion of United Nations Day to celebrate the United Nations and its work towards peace, justice and security.
The John Gibbard Memorial Award is presented annually by the Vancouver Branch of the UN Association in Canada in recognition and memory of John Gibbard who was a supporter of the League of Nations from its creation in 1919, in the wake of the First World War. When the League ceased to exist, John Gibbard continued to support the ideals upon which the League had been founded. When the United Nations was formed after the Second World War, he became an active member of the UN Association in Canada. He was dedicated to involving youth in the creation of a better world for all.
The Award is given to youth up to 25 years of age in recognition of their dedication and commitment to working for humanity and a better world locally or internationally.
GENERAL CRITERIA
Nominees or candidates:
- must be residents of the Metro Vancouver area
- may be individuals or groups
- cannot self-nominate
- must be nominated by a non-relative
- must be under 25 years old
- should exemplify the values of good citizenship and personal qualities of a humanitarian
- Candidates should have taken actions of both or either local and international nature
Nominations must be made in writing and sent to UNAC Vancouver at gregneum@gmail.com or georgesomerwill1@gmail.com by Friday, October 2nd, 2020. Provide an explanation of why the person or group deserves the award.
The award winner is expected to be present at a ceremony to be held at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver – 949 49th Avenue, Vancouver – on the Sunday which is the closest to October 24th, United Nations Day. 2020’s award will be presented on Sunday, October 25th if circumstances allow. A virtual award program will be organized otherwise.
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
2018: Andrew Sheroubi
2017: Akanksha Thakur
2016: Gurkiran Mann
Kiran’s acceptance speech:
2015: Anjali Katta She is a gender equality activist and the CEO of Girls Co, founded Bombay Pads to help deliver sanitary pads and sexual education to schools and orphanages in India. Anjali was also a Top 20 under 20 award winner.
2014: Ta’Kaiya Blaney
Ta’Kaiya’s speech
2013: Saskia Vaisey, UBC student and environmental leader
2012: Amnesty Urgent Action Network, Rockridge Secondary, West Vancouver School District
2011: Student Leadership group, Edmonds Community School, Burnaby School District
2010: UN Connections Club, Burnaby School District
2009 Youth Action Committee – Cariboo Hill Secondary School, Burnaby
2008 YMCA Youth Peace Network
2007 Whiterock Elementary Fine Arts Department, Surrey School District
2006 Capilano College Global Stewardship Program, North Vancouver
2005 Society for Children and Youth of B.C.
2004 Global Connections Club – Magee Secondary School, Vancouver
2003 Global Perspectives 12 – Richmond Secondary School, Richmond
2002 H. Dawn Davis
2001 Olivia Sophie Bornik
1997 Multicultural Club, John Oliver Secondary School, Vancouver
1996 Ecole Cleveland Elementary School, Vancouver
1995 United People, Unitarian Church of Vancouver
1994 Jeremy Dyck, Environment Youth Alliance
1993 Severn Cullis-Suzuki
1992 Karen Snowshoe, Tetlit-Gwich’in Nation
1991 Jeff Gibbs, Environmental Youth Alliance
Vancouver Branch of the United Nations Association in Canada 