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, so, is deserving of recognition? We are calling on all IBE chapters around the world to submit nominations for the International Golden Light Award, to be presented during the 33rd International Epilepsy Congress in Bangkok in June 2019.
Background
The award recognises the contributions of people affected by epilepsy in their community and those who care for them and were first presented in 2004, with the title ‘Outstanding Person with Epilepsy Award’. They have been given every two years at each Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress since then. 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’.
Due to the success of these awards, IBE now intends to present them during all regional and international epilepsy congresses. The first of these International Golden Lights Awards will be given during the 33rd International Epilepsy Congress scheduled to take place in Bangkok from 22nd-26th June, 2019.
Candidates
To be considered for an award in 2019, candidates must be between 18 and 35 years of age on 1st January 2019. 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 entitled to nominate one person to be considered for the award.
All candidates are required to submit a written article, between 500 and 800 words in length, telling the story about their life with epilepsy.
The article must be submitted in English and assistance may be sought with translation. The attached 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 official Congress Opening Ceremony on Saturday 22nd June in Bangkok.
Selection
Each IBE chapter (Full, Associate and Provisional) is entitled to nominate a recipient for the award. It is suggested that each chapter consider the following when selecting a recipient:
- Contribution to community service
- Support for people living with epilepsy
- Individual achievement (personal, 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 International Golden Light award will be made on a regional basis. Nominations will be judged by members of the local Regional Executive Committee.
One candidate from each region will be chosen to receive an award, based on their written article and the supporting message from their chapter. At the discretion of the IBE Management Committee (president, secretary general and treasurer), and dependent on available funds, further candidates may be selected if appropriate.
Prize entitlements
Each candidate will receive the following:
- Golden Light Trophy and Scroll
- Return economy (coach) class travel to Bangkok, Thailand
- Accommodation at the congress
- Free congress registration
- Support for one accompanying person (if necessary)
Note: Travel support will be paid after the congress on foot of vouched receipts. Should an awardee be unable to attend, prizes are not transferable.