There are young people in Malta who excel in their professions, strive to develop the community, gain achievements in the cultural field, or are role models for their peers. Many of these people, however, often go unnoticed. It is for this reason that Junior Chamber International Malta (JCI Malta) once again will be formally recognising those who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of Malta's young people.
In collaboration with HSBC Bank Malta plc, KPMG Malta and the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, JCI Malta is launching the fourth edition of The Outstanding Young Person (TOYP) Award.
The award, which is also supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment, is aimed at giving deserved recognition, on a national and international level, to any individual who has made a difference in his or her community and beyond.
"There are some very talented and successful young people out there who, individually or in a team, have carved out remarkable paths and whose enthusiasm and successes are inspirational," said David Pace, National President JCI Malta 2007.
"While putting a spotlight on their contribution, which at times lacks the deserved recognition, we are motivating others to go forth and apply their abilities to the full."
Education, Youth and Employment Minister Louis Galea said that it is not hard to find young people carrying out outstanding work within their communities and workplaces, however it is very difficult to bring to the forefront these persons and their sterling work.
"While our newspapers and news bulletins are littered with negative stories about young people and other sectors, we rarely get to see what some of our outstanding young Maltese are doing not only locally but also in various countries and international organisations." Minister Galea said that the JCI Outstanding Young Person Award is not only a great opportunity to showcase good practice among youth but is also a statement of recognition of the great work that these young persons do, most of the time with little or no pomp at all and in most occasions for the benefit of the community at large.
Sally Robson, chief operating officer at HSBC Bank Malta, said: "We are happy to help JCI along its path in developing the valuable human potential of young people in Malta. We must follow our achievers because it is they who raise the sights of others, and set standards for their peers."
Launched locally in 2004, the first edition of the award was won by Dr Simon Busuttil, who was nominated in the category for political, legal and/or government affairs. Marija Schranz, nominated in the category for humanitarian and voluntary service, clinched the award in 2005. Last year, Sylvana Brannon was declared the overall TOYP winner for her business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment as the founder and managing director of Smart Cells (Malta) Ltd.
Young men and women between the ages of 18 and 40 may be nominated in one of ten categories for the TOYP honour: Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment; Political, legal and/or governmental affairs; Academic leadership and/or accomplishment; Cultural achievement; Moral and/or environmental leadership; Contribution to children's welfare, world peace, and/or human rights; Humanitarian and/or voluntary service; Scientific and/or technological development; Personal improvement and/or accomplishment; and Medical innovation.
JCI Malta encourages the public to use this opportunity to reward the accomplishments of young deserving individuals. The nomination form may be downloaded from the JCI Malta Website www.jci.org.mt. The nominations will be reviewed by a committee of judges and will be shortlisted based on the nominee's achievements in, or contributions to, the category indicated in the nomination.
The JCI Malta Awards Night will be held on November 30. JCI Malta will award winners for each of the 10 TOYP categories, with one of these finalists also being declared as The Outstanding Young Person for 2007.
All eligible nominations may be submitted to the Junior Chamber International TOYP programme and given the opportunity to be selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World, to be honoured during the 63rd JCI World Congress in New Delhi.
The closing date for the submission of nominations is October 26. For more details, e-mail toyp@jci.org.mt or call 9985-4464.
JCI is a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs whose mission is to contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing young people the opportunity to develop the leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and fellowship necessary to create positive change.