The Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka today called for nominations for the 2015 NSW Human Rights Award, as a tribute to an individual who has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the advancement of human rights.

The NSW Government established the Award in 2012, in memory of the Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved tens of thousands of lives during World War II.

Mr Ajaka said that the Award recognises the extraordinary effort that an individual has made to champion human rights.

“Each of us knows ordinary people who do extraordinary things in their daily lives. Those who inspire us to do better on behalf of our fellow citizens, we should get to know about those people and be inspired by their good deeds,” Mr Ajaka said.

Last year’s recipient of the Award was Ms Maha Abdo, the Executive Officer of the Muslim Women’s Association who has been a leading advocate for Muslim women for more than two decades.

The NSW Human Rights Award honours an individual whose life and work has demonstrated significant contributions to:

• the advocacy, promotion, and advancement of human rights locally, nationally or internationally,
• the philosophy, language and practice in the area of human rights.

The Award recipient will be presented with a specially struck medal, a cash prize and will become the NSW Human Rights Ambassador for the following 12 months.

The judging panel will comprise of three eminent members of the Australian community.

Nominations close at 5pm on 21 August 2015. For more information go to: http://www.multicultural.nsw.gov.au.