Who will be the 2013 human rights heroes?

Many aged services organisations are doing exemplary work in respecting and fighting for the human rights of older people. The Human Rights Commission would like to hear these possibly award-worthy stories but time is running out.

 

 

Time for decisive action.  Large and small businesses are being urged to nominate online for this year’s Human Rights Business Award, to be presented on 10 December 2013 as part of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s  annual Human Rights Awards.

The Human Rights Business award is awarded to a corporation that has made a practical and/or policy commitment to the promotion and advancement of human rights in the Australian community and been active in this area between September 2012 and September 2013.

According to the Human Rights Commission (HRC), examples of this commitment might include taking action to overcome discrimination or infringements of human rights within Australia; encouraging greater social harmony in a range of areas such as race relations, gender equality and the treatment of children and young people; enhancing the rights of Indigenous Australians; promoting equal opportunity for people with a disability in Australia or countering discrimination on the basis of age or sexuality.

At a general level these examples of commitment will be about increasing awareness of issues of injustice or inequality in Australia.

Recognition for everyone

In addition to the business award, there are awards for young people, lawyers, individuals and several categories in the media.

“There are ten award categories, including the Business Award, Young Person’s Human Rights Medal, and Law Award. Other award categories include TV, radio, and print media; non-fiction literature; community individual and community organisation; and the Human Rights Medal,”  said Commission president, Professor Gillian Triggs.

“The Australian Human Rights Awards are a unique opportunity to celebrate the work of individuals and organisations who contribute to human rights in Australia,” she said.

The Human Rights Commission says there are no restrictions on the kind of companies and organisations that can be eligible for the Buisiness Award.

And for 21-year-old Krista McMeeken, the impact of winning the Young Person’s Human Rights Medal last year for her work with the WA Aboriginal Legal Service was a game-changer.

“It helped me be to be seen in another light,” she says. “It gave me an opportunity to be proud of myself but also to see how I could take my commitment to the next level.”

Ian Thorpe, Thérèse Rein and Eddie Mabo are three Australians who have received the Human Rights Medal for their outstanding contribution to human rights in Australia.

Details and nominations forms are online at http://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au

Please note: the nomination deadline has been extended. Nominations will now close on 27 September 2013.

 

 

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