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Thousands of individuals across Jamaica, volunteer their time, talent and energy to help others solve social problems and build strong communities. Media reports indicate that these volunteers represent all backgrounds, ages and beliefs. They all share the common goal of working to make a difference at the community level and without regard for financial need.
In 1991 the Governor-General's Achievement Award Scheme was established to acknowledge and award the meaningful contribution of individuals at the community level. This Awards Scheme celebrates the success of these volunteers and highlights the impact of the award recipients on community and national life.
There are three (3) categories of awards under the Governor-General's Achievement Award Scheme, namely the:
- Governor-General's Achievement Award
- Governor-General's Youth Award of Excellence
- Governor-General's Jamaican Diaspora Award for Excellence
A total of fourteen (14) individuals, one from each parish, receive the Governor-General's Achievement Award annually. Each recipient has risen from humble circumstances to become outstanding individuals at the parish level.
In 2006 the Governor-General's Youth Award of Excellence was introduced to promote excellence as a habit and not a disposition among young people. Two awards are presented to recipients from each parish who have demonstrated outstanding community involvement as well as excellence in academics or entrepreneurship.
The Governor-General's Jamaican Diaspora Award for Excellence, presented for the first time in 2008, is given to three individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to Jamaica and communities in their countries of residence - United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. These awards are presented biennially to three individuals.
Each category of awards has specific selection criteria as outlined below.
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S AWARDS
GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
One award is presented to a recipient in each of the fourteen (14) parishes annually. Nominees are required to meet the following criteria.
- Have shown upward, social or economic movement
- Have made a worthwhile contribution to the development of a community or group in the parish.
- Have started from modest economic and social circumstances
- Be a resident of Jamaica, but not necessarily a Jamaican national
- Should not normally have received a national honour
- Be identified by a parish committee from nominations made by either the public or the parish committee members.
GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S YOUTH AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
From the two categories for the youth award, one individual is identified in each parish annually. Nominees are required to meet the following criteria.
Youth (18-24 years)
- Demonstrated high levels of academic achievement
- Be enrolling in a course of study of at least eight months’ duration leading to an undergraduate degree, certificate or diploma
- Demonstrated positive and verifiable service to the community
- Demonstrated capacity for leadership and ability to motivate others
- Achievements/volunteer work must have taken place within the last five (5) years
- Should not normally have received a national honour
Young Adult (25-35 years)
- Demonstrated high levels of academic achievement
- Completed or be enrolled in a course of study of at least two years’ duration
- Demonstrated positive and verifiable service to the community
- Demonstrated capacity for leadership and ability to motivate others
- Initiatives or volunteer activities must have been made in the public interest and impacted the local community significantly
- Contributions and achievement must have been made while the individual was acting as a private citizen, not as an appointed or elected government official
- Contributions to the community must have been undertaken outside of the person's normal work assignment
- Achievements and contributions must be of a not for profit nature
- Achievements and contributions must have taken place within the last five (5) years
- Should not normally have received a national honour or the Governor-General’s Achievement Award
GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S JAMAICAN DIASPORA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
Three awards are presented biennially. Nominees are required to meet the following criteria.
- Has made a worthwhile contribution to the development of a community in Jamaica or group in the region of residence, over a period of no less than (10) ten years
- Be a citizen of Jamaica by birth, marriage or naturalization
- The person's achievement must have been made in the public interest
- Initiative or volunteer activities have had a positive effect on a significant number of members of the local community in the region or in a community in Jamaica
- Contributions and achievements must have been made while the individual was acting as a private citizen, not as an appointed or elected government official
- Should not normally have received a national honour or the Governor-General’s Achievement Award
For additional information about the Governor-General's Award Scheme, please contact:
Mr. Hugh Morris
National Co-ordinator
Governor-General's Achievement Award Scheme
Email:
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