Award Categories and Nomination Criteria:

01 - Creative Excellence Award
Sponsored by Arts Council England

To recognise excellence and outstanding achievement in the visual, performing and literary arts.
This award thus embraces music, dance, theatre, art and design and also includes scholarly and literary work.
Nominees may submit a single piece of work, or a number of items that have been published, presented or performed in the 12 months prior to July 31st 2006.
Nominees should be of Chinese or mixed Chinese descent or writers whose work is essentially concerned with issues that relate to the Chinese community.

2005 Winner – Xialu Guo, London
2004 Winner – Yellow Earth Theatre, London

02 – Media Excellence Award
Sponsored by Chinatown - The Magazine

To recognise individuals or groups who have exhibited excellence in any area of the media.
This award thus embraces production work for film, television and radio, including commercials, and visual fields such as the print media, photojournalism and graphics work. It also includes work in the new media.
The work for which the nomination is being put forward should have been published, presented or performed in the 12 months prior to July 31st 2006.
Nominees should be Chinese or of mixed Chinese descent or producers whose work is
essentially concerned with issues that relate to the Chinese community.

2005 Winner – Susan Mo, Evergreen, Birmingham
2004 Winner – Phoenix Chinese News & Entertainment TV, London

03 – Services To The Community Award
Sponsored by The Metropolitan Police

To recognise individuals or organisations who have delivered outstanding service to the community over several years and who have had a significant impact on the welfare of individuals and groups within the local community.
These achievements may have been demonstrated by, for example, projects in the areas of health, housing, social welfare and community and cultural activities.
Nominees may include public, private and non-profit making charitable organisations that work largely with the Chinese community.

2005 Winner – Chinese Information & Advice Centre, London
2004 Winner – Wai Yin Chinese Women’s Association, Manchester

04 – Reverence For Life Award
Sponsored by World Society for Protection of Animals

To recognise the achievements of individuals and organisations who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to animal welfare issues, both in this country and overseas.
These achievements may have been demonstrated by, for example, communicating animal welfare issues with courage and integrity, raising awareness of these issues across a broad front, seeking actively to change attitudes and behaviour to the treatment of animals.
Nominees should be of Chinese, or mixed Chinese origins, or individuals and organisations who have made a significant contribution to public awareness and understanding of animal welfare issues in South East Asia and Asia Pacific Regions.

2005 Winner – Hong Kong Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hong Kong
2004 Winner – Dr. Henry Lee

05 – Promotion Of Cultural Links & Exchange
Sponsored by Foreign Commonwealth Office

To recognise individuals or organisations who have made significant progress
in advancing cultural understanding and stimulating cultural links between the UK, China and Asia Pacific.
Nominees would have demonstrated their commitment to promote international cultural exchange, stimulating cultural links through dialogue, studies, research, and exchange initiatives with the view of mutual influences between cultures.

This is a new award for 2006.

06 – International Business Link and Enterprise Award
Jointly sponsored by Mr. David Tang (Shanghai Tang & China Tang) & Photolink Creative Group

To recognise the achievements of individuals and organisations who have demonstrated managerial and entrepreneurial skills of a high order and who have, in so doing, furthered the interests and enhanced the reputation of the Chinese community on either a local or a national scale, as well as those who have played a leading role in creating and fostering dynamic business links between organisations and communities here in the UK and in China and Asia Pacific.

These achievements may have been demonstrated, for example, by the use of innovation in products or workplace, as well as proof of business links forged, potential for growth and the extent to which business links encourage a two-way flow of personnel and know-how, or the mutual understanding of the British and Chinese cultural and business environments.

With this award the Pearl Foundation seeks to recognize the vital role played by small and medium sized businesses in the vitality of the local community, as well as forging links on the international stage.

This is a newly combined award.

2005 Winner (International Business Link) – Robin Rowland, Global Links Initiatives, Buckinghamshire

2005 Winner (Business Enterprise Award) – Yuen Film School, Plymouth
2004 Winner (Business Enterprise Award) – Pine Court Housing Association, Merseyside

07 – Promotion of Excellence in Chinese Cuisine
Sponsored by Cherry Valley

To recognise restaurants and takeaways who have devoted themselves to the promotion of Chinese cuisine in their community and who offer consistent culinary excellence.
These achievements may have been demonstrated by the development and presentation of authentic Chinese cuisine, devotion to innovative and creative menu development and excellence in food quality, service, hygiene standards and cookery skills.
This is a new award for 2006 sponsored by a brand which promotes quality throughout the Chinese foodservice market. It will be split into two sub categories: Restaurants and Takeaways. Menus should be submitted with the nomination forms.

08 – Most Promising Newcomer Award
Sponsored by National Crime Squad/SOCA

To recognise the achievements and celebrate the accomplishments of young British Chinese individuals who have achieved excellence in a chosen field.
Nominees should be of Chinese or mixed Chinese origin, under 30 years of age and should be able to submit conclusive documentary proof of their achievements that may have had a beneficial impact on the local community, or provided an inspirational role model for other young people.
Achievements may be in the fields of Art, Academic scholarship, Business qualifications, Cultural, Environmental or Humanitarian activities, Scientific or Medical research.

2005 Winner – Rebecca Yuancao Yang, London

09 – The Lord Chan Award for Outstanding Individual
Sponsored by Global Group (Europe), London Export Corporation & The Pearl Foundation

This award bears the late Lord Chan’s name and is dedicated to his memory.  Lord Chan was the first Chinese peer in the House of Lords and had been an outstanding individual and role model for the Chinese community.
To honour an individual who has made an outstanding contribution over a period of many years, to causes or activities that have had a profoundly beneficial and enduring effect upon Chinese communities in this country, or overseas.
This award is made by invitation only for work in a wide range of fields including the arts, business affairs, politics, economics, education and scholarship, charitable activities, healthcare, conservation and environmental activities.

2005 Winner – David Tan, Westminster City Council
Chinese Liaison Officer, London

Any individual or organisation who wishes to sponsor an award please contact The Pearl Foundation or Chinatown - The Magazine.

Selection Panel of the Awards will consist of trustees of the Pearl Foundation who will meet to evaluate applications for each category of awards.