Commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the official award ceremony of “UNESCO/Emir Jaber Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,” has been scheduled for December 3, 2018 in Paris, France.
The Prize is to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations in promoting the inclusion; and enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities through the application of digital solutions, resources and technologies.
The Prize will be offered biennially in 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 with each biennial edition worth USD $40,000, which will be distributed equally between the individual and the organizational winner. These awards are said to be for individuals and organizations and not for projects or programmes.
According to UNESCO, “The Prize builds on three thematic axis of importance in UNESCO’s work with persons with disabilities: Formulating policy, advocacy, co-operation and partnerships; Creating and developing digital solutions, enabling environments and processes, including tools and resources; Building and strengthening the capacities of people to create, adapt and use digital solutions in a cost efficient and sustainable manner.”
Successful individuals and organizations will usually have undertaken a series of relevant projects and programmes, developed appropriate tools or resources, and enhanced co-operation and partnerships that will contribute to their achievements, but it is the overall personal or organizational contribution that will be assessed.
UNESCO said it will publicize the Prize winners, and will seek to work with them to enhance and promote their continued activities in the field of the digital empowerment of persons with disabilities. Prize winners (referred to as Laureates) will be selected by the Director-General of UNESCO on the basis of the assessments and recommendations made by a Jury.
