From: UN iSeek

The Secretary-General and Under Secretary-General for Management Yukio Takasu celebrated UN Day this year by announcing the winners of the 2014 UN 21 Awards, and unveilling a new name for the staff recognition awards programme.

The awards highlight staff initiatives from around the world that deserve recognition for their impact and innovation. Over 75 submissions were received this year. Friday’s awards ceremony marked 18 years of a proud tradition, celebrating and recognizing the ingenuity, team spirit and perseverance of our staff around the world.

In his introductory remarks, the Secretary-General said: “with multiple crises around the world, the United Nations is needed now more than ever. Today, we celebrate and reaffirm our collective commitment to empowering the marginalized and vulnerable. We are only able to do so because of the dedicated and hardworking staff members around the world.”

With staff members attending in person and via VTC, the ECOSOC Chamber was buzzing with excitement as finalists of each of the categories were called out. We are proud to announce that the winners in the five categories featured this year are:

• Efficiency – ISO 14001-20004 Certification (ECA: Charles Ndungu)
• Innovation – Development of a Mobile Weapons Cutting Shear (UNMAS: Takuto Kubo, Richard Boulter)
• Outstanding vision – CLIP Engaging the Youth for a Better Day (DPKO/UNAMID: Abeir Mohammed, Aderemi Adekoya, Ezzedin Adam, Freddie Bategereza, Ioan-Vadim Dobrea, Isa Macedoine, Islika Sisay, Mahmoud Elnayer, Shaghayegh Shahfieyan,  Zurab Elzarov )
• Service beyond the call of duty – UN China Summer Language Programme (DM: Yong Ho)
• UN Values – Accessibility Centre – An Inclusive United Nations (DGACM/DPI: Magnus Olafsson, Anshu Shroff, and the Graphic Design Unit, represented by Ziad Al-Kadri)

Further information on all of the initiatives can be found here. 

Look out for iSeek articles highlighting the achievements and individuals behind the winning projects in the coming weeks!

In addition to the five categories, earlier this year we launched a competition inviting staff to submit ideas to rename the UN 21 Awards. As we approach the 70th anniversary of the Organization, it became apparent that a new name, reflecting the timelessness of our endeavours, could better serve the United Nations.

We received submissions from across the Organization, which staff members voted on to create a shortlist. The new name, jointly submitted by Mr. Nadir Dirar from DGACM and Mr. Amit Joshi from DESA, is the “UN Secretary General Awards”.

Congratulations to all winners and finalists, and thank you to all of the nominees for participating. 

The UN 21 Awards served as a unique way to recognize staff for their efforts, connecting and informing staff from across the Organisation, reminding us how unique a team the United Nations is. Now looking ahead, we hope to further inspire and motivate colleagues from around the world with exciting changes coming with the advent of the United Nations Secretary-General Awards. Watch this space!