Hunt on for an ‘Outstanding Young Person’

Nominations are sought for young individuals (18-40) who have contributed to society for entry into the Ten Outstanding Young Person (TOYP) Awards programme.

Launched on Monday by Junior Chamber International (JCI Ireland), the top 10 honourees will be selected by an international panel of distinguished judges and will receive their award at the JCI Ireland Presidents’ Day ceremony in May 2021.

The entire project team calls upon the country’s residents to nominate young people within their network and acquaintances who have served their community, so that their efforts can be recognised.

The award categories are: Academic leadership and/or accomplishment; Business, economic and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment; Contribution to children, world peace and/or human rights; Cultural achievement; Humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership; Medical innovation; Moral and/or environmental leadership; Personal improvement and/or accomplishment; Political, legal and/or governmental affairs; Scientific and/or technological development.

Furthermore, the 10 chosen national honourees will then be nominated for the international JCI TOYP awards with the chance of becoming one of the most outstanding young people in the world during an international ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa in November 2021.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, National President of JCI Ireland, Carol Ho said that, “TOYP program has the potential to unearth hidden talents within our local communities, people who have worked relentlessly without expecting anything in return for the betterment of the community, its people and the whole world eventually. We at JCI are just playing a small role in recognising these efforts, so that these success stories may serve as an inspiration to the next generation of high performing individuals”.

Since 1983, JCI has honoured more than 300 individuals from 57 nations. Past recipients of national TOYP awards include such well-known personalities such as John F. Kennedy, Henry Kissinger, Elvis Presley, Jackie Chan, Wayne Gretzky and many more, all honoured before the age of 40 and before they had achieved national prominence.

For nominations, visit https://www. jciireland.ie/ten-outstanding-young-persons.html - the deadline for nominations is 18th April, 2021.