TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Nominations are open for this year's Canadian Race Relations Foundation Awards of Excellence for Best Practices in promoting harmonious race relations – but the deadline is fast approaching!
Canadian organizations from the voluntary, private or public sector may nominate themselves, or be nominated by others, and submit their applications no later than 9 a.m. on Mon., Sept. 22, 2014 via the CRRF website at www.crrf-fcrr.ca.
The prestigious Awards of Excellence recognize initiatives that build an awareness and understanding of Canadian values and identity that are reflective of Canadian diversity and respectful race relations.
"Our award winners represent organizations that have taken the ideals of harmonious race relations and social cohesion, and transformed them into successful, sustainable programs that can be reproduced," said Albert Lo, chairperson, Canadian Race Relations Foundation.
"Winning this prestigious award, and being published by the CRRF, shines a spotlight on these thought-leaders, elevates their public profile and raises awareness of their important initiatives. These exceptional organizations and agencies become part of a pantheon of other forward thinkers whose work has contributed to our international knowledge base of cutting-edge anti-racism research and practice."
One award will be given for Best Practices in each of the following six categories: Aboriginal Peoples, community, corporate, education, government/public sector and youth initiatives.
The Awards jury will evaluate each Best Practice according to its tangible impact on the lives of all people, with a specific emphasis on minorities and Aboriginal Peoples; educational aspect; innovative approach; leadership; building of partnerships; fostering of positive race relations through critical analysis and awareness-raising; ability to effect change on an individual and systemic level; potential for broader reach, and sustainability.
The Awards of Excellence will be presented at a special dinner and ceremony on Nov. 18, as part of the CRRF's Our Canada: Building on Citizenship, Building for Citizenship Symposium, which will be held in Ottawa from Nov. 17-19, 2014. The winners will receive a distinctive Award and full access to the 2 1/2-day symposium. In addition, their Best Practices will be featured in the CRRF's 2014 Best Practices Reader, as well as in its searchable online resource catalogue.
Other qualifying Best Practices, from groups that submitted applications, will also be published in the Reader and online.
The CRRF Symposium and Awards of Excellence is a singular, national event that attracts noted guest speakers, and participants include parliamentarians, public servants, and corporate and non-profit leaders in the field of diversity and race relations. Speakers and plenary sessions will explore some of the most compelling contemporary issues surrounding the concept of Canadian identity, with the shared goal of heightening awareness and understanding of Canadian values in the context of advancing a more harmonious and cohesive society.
SOURCE: Canadian Race Relations Foundation
![](http://rt.newswire.ca/rt.gif?NewsItemId=C3158&Transmission_Id=201409050643CANADANWCANADAPR_C3158&DateId=20140905)
CRRF Executive Director: Anita Bromberg, [email protected], 416-508-9033; CRRF Spokesperson: Rubin Friedman, [email protected], 647-403-8526
Share this article