By: Zara Khurana, Communications Generalist
MOSAIC honoured 14 incredible and talented individuals and organizations with various awards and scholarships at its annual MOSAIC Awards event, held June 15.
More than 140 people gathered to celebrate diversity and inclusion, support further education for immigrants and refugees, and highlight outstanding achievements in human rights advocacy.
The 2023 MOSAIC Awards recipients are as follows:
- Human Rights Award – This award is an ongoing manifestation of our commitment to the values of cultural diversity. This award is presented to a person that has made a significant contribution in the field of human rights and ethnic relations, and in the field of humanitarianism, and has not been already recognized.
Recipient: Nedal Izdden, founder of White Helmets, officially known as Syria Civil Defence, is a volunteer organization that operates in parts of opposition-controlled Syria and in Turkey. The White Helmets team undertakes vital tasks such as medical evacuation, urban search, and rescue, and providing essential services. Despite limited resources and extreme danger, they have saved approximately 100,000 lives so far.
- Employer Recognition Award – This award is presented to a BC employer for creating a workplace that supports the principles of multiculturalism and employment equity.
Recipient: Providence Health Care
- Eyob G. Naizghi Scholarship Award – This award is presented to support the education and training of a female refugee with future leadership aspirations. This $5,000 scholarship supports their education and training through academic or vocational post-secondary education.
Recipient: Amina Osman to pursue refugee and forced migration studies.
- Ann & Jo-Ann Sobkow Scholarship Award – This award helps refugees in Canada pay for education to pursue a helping career. These careers may include education, health care, social work, counselling, or community development.
Recipient: Shler Ali to pursue conflict resolutions with a minor in human rights.
- The Kinbrace Educational Award (New for 2023) – This award supports the post-secondary educational aspirations of one foreign-born young person who made a refugee claim in Canada (or whose parents made a refugee claim) and is now a protected person, permanent resident, or Canadian citizen. This award may be renewed yearly for the applicant, for a total award of $20,000 over four consecutive years. The recipient will engage in a renewal process each year.
Recipient: Name withheld for privacy.
- Dr. Kes Chetty Education Award – MOSAIC is proud to give this $1,000 award annually to up to three deserving clients, volunteers, immigrants, and refugees who want to pursue academic or vocational studies. MOSAIC staff nominate applicants based on financial need and commitment to enriching the community.
Recipients: Sean Celi, Rosa Al Lawati, Karen Wong
- Educational Enhancement Awards – This annual award is given to deserving recipients to support their educational and post-secondary goals. The MOSAIC Awards Committee will give six recipients $5,000 each in 2023, to pursue academic, professional, or vocational studies.
Recipients: Hussein Al Aaref, Maryam Alyamani, Aubert Bigirimana, Wazhma Hakimi, Dr. Murtaza Noori, Abdulrahman Al Odat
Special guest Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley helped present the Human Rights Award and greet all winners.
A Traditional Welcome was presented by Willie Lewis, Eagle Song Dancers and guests at this event enjoyed entertainment provided by Yaletown String Quartet.
MOSAIC expresses its deep appreciation to RBC as the MOSAIC Awards presenting sponsor and Global BC as the Community Sponsor.
Human Rights Award winner Nedal Izdden shared his incredible story with tears in his eyes. Prior, he had noted, “When you work, you don’t think about yourself. All your passion and emotion are reserved for others. That’s when we forget ourselves. I’m happy that MOSAIC gave me this award and I feel proud.”
Congratulations to all the winners! We appreciate your hard work and commitment to your community.
Find more detailed information about the various awards granted by MOSAIC.
