A Golden Opportunity to recognise and award a young person affected by epilepsy in your Chapter
Is there a young member of your association who is affected by epilepsy or cares for someone with epilepsy, who has been a “shining light” for others and is deserving of recognition? We are calling on IBE chapters to submit nominations for the International Golden Light Award, to be presented during the 34th International Epilepsy Congress 2021.
BACKGROUND
The award recognises the contributions of people affected by epilepsy in their community and were first presented in 2004, with the original title ‘Outstanding Person with Epilepsy Award’. The title of the award was changed to Golden Light Awards in 2016, to recognise the fact that people with epilepsy should not be defined by their condition, thereby embracing the call of the International Bureau for Epilepsy to ‘bring epilepsy out of the shadows and into the light’. The awards are now presented at all regional and international epilepsy congresses.
CANDIDATES
To be considered for an award, candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age on 1st January 2021. Proof of age may be requested. The candidate must be nominated by the IBE chapter in which they are involved (as a member, volunteer, board or staff member). Each IBE chapter (full, associate and provisional) is invited to nominate one person to be considered for the award.
All candidates are asked to submit a written article, between 500 and 800 words in length, telling the story of their life with epilepsy. The article must be submitted in English and help with translation may be sought. The nomination form must be completed and submitted with the written article.
Everyone selected for an International Golden Light Award will be presented with a trophy during the Congress Awards Ceremony at the end of August 2021. A lapel pin will also be presented, which we hope awardees will wear with pride. Due to Covid-19, this congress will be held virtually and more detailed information on the awards ceremony will be available in the near future.
Successful candidates may be invited to present their stories at a special forum as part of the official programme of the congress and will be introduced at the IBE General Assembly (held virtually). Nominations must be submitted by an IBE chapter; those received from individuals will not be accepted.
SELECTION
Each IBE chapter (Full, Associate, Provisional) is entitled to submit a nomination, bearing in mind the following:
- Contribution to community service
- Support for people living with epilepsy
- Individual achievement (professional, educational, sporting, creative)
- An advocate for epilepsy (community, political, media)
- Distinguished service to a local epilepsy support organization
Selection of candidates to receive an award will be made on a regional basis. Nominations will be judged by members of the local Regional Executive Committee assisted by the co-chairs of the IBE Global Youth Team. One candidate from each region will be chosen to receive an award, based on their written article and
supporting message from their chapter. At the discretion of the IBE Management Committee, further candidates may be selected if appropriate.
PRIZE ENTITLEMENTS
Each candidate will receive the following:
- Golden Light Trophy and lapel pin
- Free congress registration
Congress website: epilepsycongress.org/iec/
NOTE: CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 30th APRIL
