There are young people in Malta who excel in their respective professions, strive to develop the community, gain achievements in the cultural field, or are role models for their peers.
Many, however, often go unnoticed. It is for this reason that Junior Chamber International Malta (JCI Malta) will once again formally recognise those who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of Malta's young people.
In collaboration with HSBC Bank Malta, KPMG Malta and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, JCI Malta is launching the sixth edition of The Outstanding Young Person (TOYP) award.
The award is aimed at giving deserved recognition, nationally and internationally, to any individual who has made a difference to the community and beyond.
Launched locally in 2004, the TOYP award has recognised a number of individuals within various fields - young people such as Simon Busuttil, Marija Schranz, Sylvana Brannon, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Nicholas Sammut.
Eligible nominations are submitted to the Junior Chamber International TOYP programme and given the opportunity to be selected as one of the 10 Outstanding Young Persons of the World, to be honoured during the 65th JCI World Congress in Osaka, Japan.
Two 2008 TOYP category winners, Julian Azzopardi and Engelbert Grech, have been selected as two of the 30 finalists. The 10 categories are: 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.
The required nomination form may be downloaded from the JCI Malta website at www.jci.org.mt. Applicants should specify a particular category. Nominations will be reviewed by a committee of judges set up purposely for TOYP award and will be shortlisted based on the nominee's achievements in each respective category.
The presentation of awards will be held on October 25. 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 2009.
Nominations may be submitted online. The closing date for submission is September 18. For more information, e-mail or call 7905 2277.
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 leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and fellowship necessary to create positive change.
Present in more than 100 countries, JCI members represent multiple professions, occupations and skills, and meet at national and international events to exchange ideas, best practices and views in the areas of business, individual, community and international development.