Monday, 2 August 2010
Writers, readers, publishers and managers - are you a human rights hero?
The Australian Human Rights Commission is calling on movers and shakers in the non-fiction literature world to nominate themselves for this year’s prestigious Literature (non-fiction) Award in the annual Human Rights Medals and Awards.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC, said the Awards presented the opportunity to honour those who have dedicated their time and resources to chronicle important human rights issues in Australia.
“For one day of the year, the annual Human Rights Medals and Awards shines the spotlight on the efforts people are making on a daily basis to strengthen Australia’s human rights culture,” President Branson said.
“These efforts impact on us all, and ultimately contribute in some way to making Australia a safer and more inclusive society. The annual Human Rights Medals and Awards is an opportunity to applaud their efforts and to say thank you.”
The Literature (non-fiction) Award is sponsored by the Co-op Bookshop and is for a non-fiction work (including social history, social commentary, biography or documentary) published in Australia between 10 October 2009 and 4 October 2010.
Winner of the 2009 Award for her book, Blind Conscience, Margot O’Neill, said receiving the Award was a fantastic honour which also fuelled the attention of some TV producers and directors.
“Many books touching on human rights often find it difficult to move beyond a niche audience but this award helps authors lift the public profile of their work. Good luck to this year's entrants - it's worth the effort!" Ms O’Neill said.
Nominations are also being called for the Human Rights Medal and Young People’s Human Rights Medal and six other Award categories: Law, Community (Organisation), Community (Individual), Print Media, Television and Radio.
The Australian Human Rights Commission has a web-section containing all the information about the 2010 Human Rights Medals and Awards, including Award categories, how to enter, judging criteria, previous winners and how to buy a ticket to the awards ceremony.
There’s also a section for media, with the latest news releases, and information about the sponsors for this year’s Award ceremony which are: Rio Tinto; the Department of Immigration and Citizenship; the Law Council of Australia; iHR Australia; Avant Card; Trophyland; The Co-op Bookshop; Online Opinion and Vibe Australia.
Nominations close at 5pm on Monday, 4 October, 2010. Winners will be presented with their Medals and Awards at a ceremony to be held on Human Rights Day, Friday, 10 December 2010 at the Sheraton on the Park in Sydney.
Nomination forms/ information: www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards or Ph: 02 9284 9618 or hrawards@humanrights.gov.au. Tickets to awards: Ph: 02 9284 9618 or hrawards@humanrights.gov.au ($80 or $50 concession includes two course luncheon and drinks.)
Mailing list for updates: Subscribe at www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/index.html
Media contact: Louise McDermott 02 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597
