DHL spearheads inaugural Young Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (YES) Awards 2007
DHL spearheads inaugural Young Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (YES) Awards 2007
Awards celebrate and promote young social entrepreneurs in Asia working to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
DHL, the world's leading express and logistics company, today announced the launch of its Young Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (YES) Awards, an awards program dedicated to recognizing and celebrating social entrepreneurs in Asia Pacific who are making positive social impact in their communities to meet the UN MDGs.
The DHL YES Awards support social entrepreneurs whose work evidences commitment towards the achievement of one or more of the UN MDGs and will evaluate key elements related to leadership, innovation, social impact, the potential to expand and replicate their work else where, the sustainability of the initiative and challenges overcome.
"Social entrepreneurs are society's change makers. For our awards, we see these entrepreneurs as people whose fundamental goal is to create positive social impact by evolving new and innovative methods and practices. Across the region, individuals are making head way in micro-financing, child education and protection, alternative domestic fuel sources, health and so much more." said Christina Koh, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Sustainability, DHL Express Asia Pacific. "The DHL YES Awards will specifically focus on young individuals between the ages of 18 to 40 as we believe that they face quite a challenge in sustaining their organizations, particularly in developing economies." Ms. Koh heads up DHL's Corporate Sustainability function in Asia Pacific.
A crucial aspect of the Awards is its alignment to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are a blueprint agreed to by the world's countries and leading development institutions to:
1. Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty
2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
4. Reduce Child Mortality
5. Improve Maternal Health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability
8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development
The DHL YES Awards will be rolled out in five countries in Asia Pacific – Bangladesh, Pakistan, The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. A national winner will be chosen from each of the five participating countries, and an Asia Pacific regional winner will be selected from the five national winners. Singapore will play host to the final awards ceremony to be held in the middle of the year.
In each country, an independent screening organization will review all applications and a jury composed of imminent national leaders in the social, development and business sectors will select the national awardees. The overall awards program has been endorsed by an international council of reputable members who will also select the regional winner.
Scott Price, CEO, DHL Express – Asia Pacific, said: "DHL has always worked towards helping build communities. It is our belief that social entrepreneurs play an instrumental role in driving socio-economic development in their communities. Where some people may choose not to see the social and economic challenges in a community, social entrepreneurs choose to make it their business. We want to recognize their extraordinary efforts and also use the opportunity to share their best practices and inspire others in the region and beyond."
Applications for the DHL YES Awards open on 1 February 2007 and close on 31 March 2007. CNN, the awards' official regional media partner, will run the DHL YES Awards advertisement across Asia from February to late March. The advertisements highlight issues in poverty, child education, health and the environment and how social entrepreneur see these issues when others may choose not to see it and make it their business to address these issues.
The DHL YES Awards is part of DHL's community investment program which also includes disaster management and supporting future generations. Globally, DHL has a partnership with UNICEF supporting their worldwide fight to reduce child mortality through long-term logistical and financial assistance. DHL is also supporting the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the area of disaster management. DHL's partnership with the UN system is founded in it's commitment as a signatory to the UN Global Compact.
(www.dhl.com/yesawards)
