Robert Burns Humanitarian Award

Minister for Culture, Linda Fabiani MSP, is highlighting the 2009 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, and encouraging nominations from the local area.

Now in its eighth year, the Robert Burns Humanitarian Award is presented annually to a group or individual who has saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service, ‘hands on’ charitable/volunteer work, or other acts. The winner receives 1759 guineas, a sum which signifies the year of the bard’s birth and the coinage then in circulation, as well as a specially commissioned hand-made award, and the opportunity to raise awareness of their work and cause.

Speaking of the Awards Ms Fabiani said:

“If you know of an exceptional individual or group whose humanitarian work deserves to be recognised then this an opportunity to nominate them for 2009 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award. This is an occasion for you, your colleagues and associates to highlight an organisation or individual who may not previously have been recognised for their humanitarian work.

“Burns was often described as the poet for the poor and an advocate for political and social change. The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award celebrates the memory of Burns’ love of fellow men and women. It is presented to someone who has made a difference to the world, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service, ‘hands on’ charitable or volunteer work, or other acts. Nominees can be from anywhere in the world, of any gender, age or creed.

“In 2009, the eighth year of the Burns Humanitarian Awards, Scots will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. It will be special year in which to be nominated and we are casting the net wide for nominations which honour and reflect the humanitarian values present throughout much of Burns’ work.

“It would be fantastic to see someone from the local area nominated for this excellent award as I am sure there are some unsung heroes out there who would be potential candidates for the award.”

Previous winners have included civil rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith, Adi Roche, founder of the Children’s Project International and last year’s winner Jonathan Kaplan, a humanitarian aid surgeon working in developing countries and crisis areas.
Nominations close at 12 noon on 4th December 2008 so please nominate now.

The final shortlist of three will be announced on Burns Night, 25th January 2009, and the final award ceremony will take place in Ayr in May 2009. The award will be the opening event of the ‘Burns an’ a’ that!’ festival, which is supported by EventScotland, South Ayrshire Council, Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland.