Cultural Harmony Awards

The City of Vancouver believes that diversity is a source of strength,vitality and prosperity. In 1996, it established the Cultural Harmony Awards to recognize individuals and organizations that display a significant and sustained commitment to the promotion of cultural harmony in Vancouver.

Nominations for the 2010 Cultural Harmony Awards are now open. Deadline: Friday, October 8, 2010.

The Awards

The Cultural Harmony Awards recognize work in the community that, through its process,subject and/or effect, improve understanding, acceptance and positive relations among people of different backgrounds – cultural, ethnic, gender, age, economic class or any other cultural identification.

There are two categories of awards: individual and organization. Eligible organizations include non-profit organizations, groups or service clubs, educational institutions, hospitals, government departments, unions, professional and trade associations, media organizations, public or private corporations.

The recipients of the award will be honoured with a tree planted in their name in the Vancouver Park Board Cultural Harmony Grove, located east of the Burrard Marina.

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Selection Criteria

Selection is made by an independent panel of jury members, based on the following criteria:

SCOPE:the range of activities and breadth of influence or inspiration the achievement has on people, organizations or the community.

ACHIEVEMENT:the significance of the achievement itself. Consideration will be given to creativity, innovation, and the general significance of the activity for individuals and/or the community.

IMPACT:the potential for fundamental and lasting positive change for individuals, organizations, and the community.

METHOD: the manner in which the activities were performed, for example
through creativity, or the use of innovation, consultation and collaboration.

Guidelines and Nomination Form

Nominees must live or work in the city of Vancouver. Nominees are also eligible if they reached an achievement or provided a service or benefit within the city of Vancouver.

All nominees must also consent in writing to the nomination. The achievement, service or benefit does not have to be accomplished in the year previous to the award date.

Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominators may submit only one candidate per year and cannot be related to this candidate. Current members of Vancouver City Council and City of Vancouver staff
are not eligible for nomination nor can they nominate an individual or an organization.

The awards will be adjudicated by an independent panel of jury members. The jury’s decisions are final
and are based solely on the information requested and submitted in the nomination package. No other
material will be considered. Submitted documents will not be returned. Only complete packages will be
forwarded for judging.

The jury reserves the right to withhold an award in any particular year. Nominees are eligible for
re-nomination in subsequent years; however, an updated application must be submitted.

Completed nomination packages must include:

Each nomination must be submitted on the official nomination form and must be accompanied by originals of the following supporting documents:

• A typed description (in 500 words or less) of the nominee’s significant achievement, service or benefit in the award category selected, and of the nature and impact of the activities involved (including a clear distinction between paid employment and voluntary activities).

• A typed one-page biography of the person nominated or a short profile of the organization.

• Two additional letters written in direct support of this nomination.

Please note that in order to be considered by the judges, all submissions must be original documents on
8 1/2” x 11” paper, single-sided, without staples, binders or folders.

Mail or deliver completed packages to:

Vancouver City Hall
Equal Employment Opportunity Program
City of Vancouver
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

Download nomination form (PDF)
(Interactive form - you may type on this and then save and print it.)

Download information poster (PDF)

For more information:

Phone: 604.873.7786
TTY: 604.873.7001