The Capital is once again searching for a worthy recipient of the coveted ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Award, with nominations for the 2023 now open (Monday 4 September).
To broaden the range of nominees it has been agreed to widen the eligibility criteria to include people who have ‘a substantial association with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’. The update was approved at a meeting of the City of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Council last week (Thursday 31 August).
Previously, some nominations received have been excluded due to an individual not having been born or lived in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½. Consequently, the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Award Panel agreed unanimously to reflect this by adding in ‘substantial association with ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½’ and the panel is particularly keen to welcome nominations which reflect the diversity of the city.
Since 2007, the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Award has celebrated an individual who has made a truly unique contribution to the city. With the new criteria it means that someone can now be nominated - whether or not they were born or lived in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ - if they have gained national and international recognition for Scotland’s Capital through their work.
The 2022 recipient was Sir Geoff Palmer, in recognition of his ground-breaking contributions to academia, his indefatigable defence of human rights in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ and beyond, and most recently his work heading up the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group. Sir Geoff was presented with an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost and had his handprints set in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ has four weeks to cast nominations for this year’s award, before a recipient is selected by a panel chaired by the Lord Provost.
The Lord Provost of the City of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, Robert Aldridge, has urged individuals and businesses in the Capital to nominate someone for the Award:
I am delighted that common sense has prevailed and someone who clearly has a substantial association to ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ will be eligible to receive the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Award.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ has been a global force in many fields, for over two centuries and this is down to the character, achievement, and excellence of our citizens. The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Award represents an opportunity to celebrate exceptional individuals who make ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ the fantastic city we see today and have enhanced the city’s reputation nationally and internationally.
By nominating someone you can help us showcase these people and give that person the recognition and praise they deserve.
From outstanding individual feats to the work of community groups, as Lord Provost I am consistently inspired by the ways in which the citizens of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ calmly persevere and look out for one another. This speaks to the very heart of our capital city and is a source of huge personal pride. If this reminds you of someone, I urge you to put forward a nomination.
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, its reputation, and its enduring global appeal is down to its people. Now looking for its 17th recipient, The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Award needs the help of our communities, citizens and businesses to come together and find a worthy winner.
Nominations open today (September 4) and close at 5pm on October 2, 2023.