Press conference to announce Takreem Arab Achievement Awards

Many dignitaries attended the conference including key figures namely: Former Minister Michel Eddé, Former Deputies Camille Ziadé & Jawad Boulos, Al Amid Carlos Eddé, the Head of the Press Order Mohammed Baalbeki, Nada Sardouk, Salwa Saniora Baassiri, Venus Khoury-Ghata, Maxim Chaaya, Fadi Nahas, Khaled Mouzanar, Joe Asseily, Malek & Lina Mroueh, Nayla De Freige, representatives of different Arab embassies as well as a large number of journalists and media faces.

Takreem Arab Achievement Awards is a vision that has now become a reality by identifying and promoting the Arabs universally. The Award shall be guided by ethical principles, functioning as a socially responsible medium, by spreading the message of the true reality of Arabian people, their accomplishments and aspirations. Takreem would be the fitting platform for paying tribute to distinguished Arab achievers and for providing inspiration to Arab youth for acquiring excellence. This esteemed happening will highlight the true reality of the Arabs and help improve the perception that the world has.

The applicant should be of an Arab ancestry, active in business and/or social environments, at the height of their respective fields, cultured and highly developed personality, specialized in specific skills with a background of social, cultural, entrepreneurial, scientific, educational, humanitarian, civil or business fields.

The applicant will be assessed according to professional and objective considerations apart from any form of discrimination in terms of gender, religion, national Arab origin and politics etc... The applicant will then pass through a three-phase screening process that involves highly experienced committee members. The Olive Branch team shall act as a neutral and administrative intermediary throughout the selection process.

Phase 1: The Peer Review Commission: It shall include members possessing highly developed skills in their areas of expertise. This high level proficiency provides superior equitable conclusions during the preliminary screening.

Phase 2: The International Committee: It is a 12-member panel from diverse professions renowned for their distinctions and achievements. Through a rigorous selection process, it is their responsibility to draw up a carefully considered short-list of candidates in each award category.

Phase 3: The International Jury: It will include prominent and distinguished international figures that will be entrusted with the responsibility of performing the elimination process and announcing the winners in each category. The names of the winners will remain a closely guarded secret until the night of the ceremony.

The call for candidature was announced during the conference, whereby the candidates were able to file their nomination applications as of 26th of October 2009 until January 30, 2010 through the following channels:

- On the Internet, through the candidate's page on: www.takreemawards.com
- By printing, filling out and sending the application enclosed with a curriculum vitae or a company profile: On the fax number: 961 1 204 789, or by post mail at: Olive Branch, Asco Center, 5th Floor, Sassine Square, Ashrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon.

The Takreem Arab Achievement Awards will host more than 500 highly affluent, high profiled guests from around the globe, mainly from the guest list of Mr. Ricardo Karam which will enable the participants to obtain an international and regional recognition of their accomplishments.

Finally, a yearly grand Pan Arab ceremony will be held each year in a country form the 22 Mena countries to pay tribute to the best Arab talent globally. This year, the ceremony will take place in Lebanon on the 25th of March 2010.