In Honor of Whom?
Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah is a Palestinian-British reconstructive and plastic surgeon. In April 2024 he was elected to be the Rector of the University of Glasgow. He also received an Honorary Doctorate from the American University of Beirut in June 2024. As a student and later as a surgeon he visited the occupied territories in Palestine to treat patients. All visits occurred during military activities. Between October and November 2023, he operated on the injured almost 16 hours a day under the worst working conditions. Dr. Abu Sittah also provided care to patients in other war zones like Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.
Dr. Mads Gilbert is a Norwegian activist and anesthesiologist who graduated from the University of Oslo. He acted as a head of the emergency department at the University Hospital of North Norway. He has been an active and loud voice in the world calling for peace in Gaza. Dr. Gilbert has extended continuous medical and other humanitarian support to the people of Gaza and its health facilities and professionals for over 40 years. He wrote two books on Gaza that were translated into several languages. He continuously sheds light on injustice and inequalities through his clinical work, teaching, and research.
What
The Award is a symbolic one, consisting of a plate indicating the name of the award, the name of the recipient, and the date of presentation. The sketch on the award was inspired by a caricature created by the Palestinian artist Naji El Ali. The poor child in the drawing is Hanthala and he is trying to protect himself by a stethoscope topped by a flower (symbol of health and peace). Hanthala was created by Naji and is ten years old, the age at which Naji Al Ali was made a refuge. Hanthala will not grow until his return to his homeland, Palestine.
Who Qualifies for the Award?
Health professionals who have not served in armies or militant groups and who can provide strong evidence of altruism, such as, but not limited to:
- Voluntary health work in active war settings or in complex conflict or risky situations
- Taking risk to life and/or livelihood and working outside one's comfort zone
- Long-term commitment to humanitarian and social justice issues and physical presence in war or conflict settings for at least one month
- Contributing to long-term and sustainable projects beyond the active periods of war or armed conflict
Nomination and Selection Process - Call for nominations (online and global distribution).
- Qualifying candidates should be nominated by at least three individuals.
- Self-nomination is not accepted.
- Nominations should be supported by all evidence that can be provided, such as valid narratives, media reports, interviews, articles written by the nominee or about her/him, or others.
- A Selection Committee will review all nominations and verify presented documents. The Committee may ask for reference letters independently.
- Members of the Selection Committee who nominate a candidate will not participate in the selection and voting process.
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will consist of at least five members, gender- and background-balanced and preferably coming from different continents/regions. All members shall have shown substantial and continuous contribution to humanitarian work, especially in the health domain.
The Committee is expected to meet online around two times a year to discuss the nominations and select the Awardee. Decisions will be reached after extensive deliberations and a secret ballot vote.
Support Committee
The Support Committee will guide all activities related to the sustainability and credibility of the Abu Sittah and Gilbert Humanitarian Award.
The Committee will:
- Help in soliciting nominees for the award
- Supervise the establishment and update of a website.
- Approve the final announcement and promotion material for the award
- Help in organizing an online or in-person event to deliver the award
- Consider major events (e.g., conferences, graduation ceremonies) where the award could be presented in person
- Solicit funds or organize fundraising activities to cover the expenses of all functions relevant to the award (e.g., travel, meetings, seminars, when needed)
The Host/Sponsoring Institution
The Palestine Land Studies Center at the American University of Beirut (AUB) will host the award.