Awards for highlighting AIDS/HIV

2008/06/04

Awards for highlighting AIDS/HIV


KUALA LUMPUR: Nominations for the Mercedes Benz Red Ribbon Media Awards and the Dr Siti Hasmah Award are open.

The Malaysian AIDS Foundation is calling on the public to nominate individuals and organisations that have highlighted the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.

Malaysian AIDS Foundation president Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman said that the importance of members of the media in creating awareness and providing the right information to the public was crucial to de-stigmatise HIV and AIDS.

The media awards are in three categories - print, broadcasting and new media, which includes the Internet and performing arts. The panel of judges will include editors and journalists. The deadline for nominations is July 8.

The Dr Siti Hasmah Award is for individuals and organisations. The deadline for nominations is June 30.

Foundation honorary trustee and chair of the panel of judges Datuk Maznah Abdul Jalil said that nominees for the Dr Siti Hasmah award would be judged on one or more of five elements.

Their efforts in raising awareness of and prevention of HIV/AIDS would be assessed, how they supported the community as well as their involvement in community work to alleviate HIV/AIDS, and their recognition of the importance of vulnerable groups like youth, children and women, she said.

The Dr Siti Hasmah award winner will receive a piece of Mondial jewellery and a trophy, while recipients of the Mercedes Benz Red Ribbon Media Awards will receive RM2,500 and a certificate of excellence.

The awards will be given out at the Red Ribbon Gala in October. Nomination forms will be available online by the end of this week. They can also be obtained from the Malaysian AIDS Foundation office.

Nominations must be made on an original form and only those from third parties will be accepted. For more information contact the Malaysian AIDS Foundation at 03-4045-1033 or visit www.mac.org.my.