Each January, The Civil Courage Society presents a Civil Courage Award to honour someone who, despite personal risk, has bravely helped others by acting against persecution or injustice. 

Our role models for civil courage are Raoul Wallenberg and Chiune Sugihara, diplomats who saved thousands of people from the Holocaust at great risk to themselves, during World War II. 

We strive to build a legacy of inspiring examples of civil courage today. Contemporary stories of such resolve remind us of the inherent good that still lives within people. Examples of civil courage help to educate, to pay tribute, and finally to motivate people to act with courage and live their values, thus helping to heal the world. 

If you know of someone who has exemplified civil courage, please consider nominating them for the Civil Courage Award. 

Required characteristics for Civil Courage Award nominees 

1. The nominee made extraordinary and courageous efforts to help others or save lives – actions that were not required by their usual occupation. Examples might include defending people against human rights violations, opposing bullying or harassment, or taking a stand against unjust laws or social norms. 

2. The nominee’s acts of civil courage were carried out at significant personal risk (physical or psychological) to the nominee, their family, or their career. 

3. The nominee is a living person who has a connection with British Columbia, for example, by birth, residence, or occupation. However, it is not required that the acts of civil courage took place in B.C. 

4. The nominee’s courageous action(s) resulted in a positive tangible outcome. 

5. In general, acts of violence or actions endangering the lives of innocent people would be excluded. 

Other considerations for the Civil Courage Award 

The degree of documented impact on human lives is relevant in choosing the award recipient. However, the significance of a courageous act may not be known for some time. Therefore, past actions can often be more clearly evaluated than those tied to immediate events. 

The Civil Courage Award is not intended to be a lifetime achievement award. Our intent is to recognize specific acts of civil courage, regardless of the age of the nominee. 

Normally we give an award to only one recipient, but an award could include as many as three recipients. 

The Civil Courage Award stands on its own. Preference is given to a nominee who has not previously received a similar award, unless the previous award recognized actions different from those cited in the current nomination. 

The Civil Courage Society is a non-political, non-sectarian organization. The award recipient can be a current or former elected politician, but the actions considered for the award can’t have occurred while the recipient was holding office.

You can fill out the nomination form and submit it by clicking the button below.