Skip to main content

Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards - Nomination Criteria and Guidelines

 

 Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards  

  

The Ontario Human Rights Commission is now accepting nominations for the Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards.  

Every day, people across Ontario make important contributions to the protection, promotion and advancing of human rights in the province. Most of these contributions go unacknowledged, but they make Ontario a better place that recognizes the dignity and worth of every person where people can enjoy equal rights and opportunities without discrimination.  

The Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards commemorate the legacy of the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) first director and first Black chairperson. First established in 2022 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the awards are an opportunity for the OHRC to share, recognize and celebrate achievements made to advance and foster human rights in Ontario. 

The awards consist of three categories: Young Leaders, Distinguished Service, and Lifetime Achievement. Nominations will be due on August 26, 2024. The recipients of the Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards will be announced at an event in Fall 2024. 

Award recipients will receive an engraved plaque and a profile feature on the OHRC website and social media channels. We may recognize other nominees on our social media channels, so be sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more.  

   

Award Categories  

The Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions in the following categories: 

 

Young Leaders  

Awarded to an individual under the age of 30 years (on December 31, 2023) for their outstanding contribution to advancing human rights in Ontario  

 

Distinguished Service  

Awarded for outstanding contribution to advancing human rights in Ontario  

  

Lifetime Achievement 

Awarded to an individual for significant contributions over a lifetime to advance human rights in Ontario  

 

Award Criteria 

Each award will be considered based on four criteria: 

  • Promote human rights of individuals and communities  
  • Display ongoing initiative, leadership, dedication and be an individual of good character 
  • Innovation and creativity 
  • Engage community members to advance human rights

 

Award Eligibility  

 

To be eligible for nomination:  

  Nominees must be residents of Ontario  

  • For the Young Leaders award, all nominees must have been 30 years or younger as of December 31, 2023.  
  • Self-nominations and posthumous nominations will not be accepted.  

 

Guidelines for Award Submissions  

Written submissions are required to evaluate the nominations. Nominators are expected to provide written support for their nomination, including specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding service and contributions.  

 

Some considerations include: 

  • How the nominee’s actions had positive change/impact on human rights in Ontario 
  • How the nominee’s actions had a clear and significant impact on individuals, a group or community who seeks protection under the Human Rights Code  
  • How the nominee’s work and achievements exemplified innovation and creativity
  • How the nominee’s actions empowered individuals, a group or community to assert their human rights

  

Each nomination must include the following: 

  • Name and email address of the person making the nomination.  
  • Contact information for the person being nominated.  
  • Consent from the person being nominated.  
  • Nomination statement (maximum 1500 words) addressing why the nominee should receive the award. 
  • Endorsement letters from 3 individuals
  • Supporting materials, such as news articles can also be submitted.  

Individuals may be nominated in more than one category, and any nominator could nominate candidates in multiple categories. Nominations may be submitted in either English or French.  

 

Selection Procedure  

  •  A Selection Committee comprised of individuals with human rights experience, expertise and knowledge will review and evaluate all award nominees.  
  • The Selection Committee will select the award recipients

 

Submit a Nomination 

Nominations for the 2024 Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards will be open till Monday, August 26, 2024 @ 5:00 p.m. EST. Nominations can be submitted by using the OHRC online form, or through email.

You can fill out the 2024 Daniel G. Hill Human Rights Awards Nomination Form and submit the three signed letters of endorsement on the OHRC website

 

By email 

If you require this form in an alternate format, please email us at awards@ohrc.on.ca.

If you do not submit your nomination as a complete package, it will be declined. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Ask a question  

By email: awards@ohrc.on.ca 

By phone: 1-800-387-9080