A
record total of 117 different nationalities across the entire Emirate
of Abu Dhabi has helped drive Abu Dhabi Awards to another successful
nomination campaign.
With the six week
nomination period now over, the organising committee is going through
the 29,600 nominations that have been made, as part of the next phase of
the Awards.
A review process will
then determine who will receive an Abu Dhabi Award from His Highness
General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during a ceremony
at the end of the year.
In addition to
expatriates from the Middle East, Europe and North America, representing
some of the 117 different nationalities, there was an involvement from
those originating from more unusual countries such as Eritrea, Vietnam
and the Falkland Islands. In 2011, when the last Abu Dhabi Awards took
place, there were 62 nationalities who nominated their local heroes.
“Abu Dhabi is a truly
multicultural society and we were determined to reach out to as many
communities as possible through Abu Dhabi Awards 2013,” said the Abu
Dhabi Awards organising committee in a statement.
“It is very pleasing
to see so many different nationalities taking part and it has brought a
fresh and exciting feel to the nominations we received this year.”
Nominations submitted
by women were also a major factor during the campaign, totalling around
6,500, more than double the number in 2011.
Involving all
individuals from the entire Emirate was a further achievement with the
Western Region’s participation rising by 150% this year.
And finally the youth
also helped drive the nomination figure with participation taking a 12%
share of the total – a 10% increase from 2011.
“In the past, a
significant number of the older generations made nominations for Abu
Dhabi Awards and the youth of Abu Dhabi were not as involved as they
could be,” the statement added.
“But we are seeing
thousands of young people – really taking the time to make a thoughtful
nomination about someone they admire and who has done something good for
society.
“We also placed Abu
Dhabi Awards lounges in universities across the Emirate, where students
mingled and learned about the awards and how they could get involved.”
The role of social
media in bringing to life Abu Dhabi Awards 2013 was a significant factor
in the campaign’s success, with decision makers, local sport stars and
individuals with large digital followings all helping to keep a lively
online conversation going throughout the six weeks. This contributed to a
significant increase in online nominations by more than a double.
People can stay up to date on Abu Dhabi Awards 2013 until and through the ceremony at the end of the year at www.abudhabiawards.ae.
