The Phan Foundation is pleased to officially open the nominations for the 2021 Padoh Mahn Sha Young Leader Award. This annual award identifies outstanding young Karen leaders who work for the development of their community. In addition, $4000 will be given to the organisation or community for whom the recipient of the award works.
“Young Karen leaders have been playing a vital role in community developments through education, healthcare, social change and sustainable environment. Their hard work and efforts deserve recognition and support,” said Nant Bwa Bwa Phan, Director of the Phan Foundation. “Supporting young community leaders is part of the commitment Phan Foundation makes to create a progressive future and peaceful society for grassroot communities.”
If you know a young Karen person whose hard work and commitment deserves recognition, please nominate them. The winner of the award will be announced in early 2022.
How to nominate someone:
Any Karen person under 35 is eligible to be nominated.
That person can be living anywhere in the world.
Nominations can be made by any individual or organisation.
Organisations can nominate one of their own members.
Please focus on outcomes and achievements in your nomination.
Nominations can be made in Karen, Burmese or English.
You can nominate someone even if they have been previously nominated and were not successful.
Nominations should be sent to Nant Bwa Bwa Phan: bwabwa.phan@phanfoundation.org
Nominations close on 31st December 2021.
The Phan Foundation was set up by the children of Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan and Nant Kyin Shwe with the aims to alleviate poverty, promote education and human rights, and preserve Karen culture. Padoh Mahn Sha, the former General Secretary of the Karen National Union, was assassinated by agents of the Burmese government on 14th February 2008.
Since the establishment of Phan Foundation in 2008, we have worked with civil society and community organisations providing funding for schools and higher education, educational publications, emergency food and medical aid for internally displaced people, emergency aid responding to the COVID pandemic, support for human rights education, promotion and protection of Karen languages, and support for refugee communities.