Calls for Nominations for the “For Human Development” Award

The Civic Alliance of Latvia, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, announces the opening of applications for the “For Human Development” Award, which, for the eighth consecutive year, will honour people, organisations and companies that selflessly invest resources in the development of society and human development.

“This is a difficult and complex time for many, which is why it is particularly important to seek out, find and highlight the good—people and organisations that, through their selfless efforts, have increased the positive, helped their fellow human beings or created something new, making Latvia a better place to live,” emphasises K. Zonberga, Director of the Civic Alliance of Latvia.

During the seven years of the award’s existence, 29 recipients of the “For Human Development” Award have been honoured. The laureates include such people as L. Uzulniece, founder of “Eņģeļa pasts”; M. Ceirulis, Chair of the Board of the Liepāja Society of the Blind; V. Kalniņa, head of the “Līna” Centre for Psychological Support for Families; T. Krēsliņa, a volunteer in the field of resocialisation at the State Probation Service; as well as the #paliecmājās (#vieglipalīdzēt) movement and the “Children’s Hospital Foundation”, among others. All the competition’s laureates can be found on the competition website.

“The annual For Human Development Award is proof of the power of civic participation: people and organisations that care about what is happening around them can bring about significant changes in the lives of their fellow human beings and communities,” notes R. Damstra, Press and Cultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy.

Nominations may be submitted in four categories:

1. For Social Responsibility and Philanthropy—for outstanding achievements in the development of society by working for the public good and generously contributing time, knowledge, financial or organisational resources.
2. For Outstanding Contribution to Education—for developing education, the quality and accessibility of learning for people at any stage of life.
3. For Outstanding Contribution to Health—for promoting a healthy lifestyle, supporting and improving individual and public health and well-being, as well as reducing inequality in healthcare.
4. For Contribution to Latvia’s Future—for promoting the well-being and healthy development of children and young people and providing loving, stable care, including out-of-family care.

Applications for the competition  may be submitted until 30 May. The jury will assess the candidates’ compliance with the criteria and nominate the finalists by 9 August. The competition’s laureates will be honoured at an awards ceremony, at which the jury’s special award will also be presented. Each award laureate will receive the sculpture “Asns”, created by sculptor O. Šilova. Anyone interested may nominate candidates for the competition electronically by completing a form containing information about the award candidate, a description of the candidate’s initiative, and its objective and results.

The award was established in 2014 with the aim of highlighting human development, or the development of the population (Human development), in response to negative demographic trends such as population decline, high income inequality, poorer population health and a high proportion of children receiving institutional care. The award’s aim is to support initiatives that help reduce inequality and promote human development.

Author:

Public Relations Specialist of the Civic Alliance of Latvia