The 'World' Award date extended

"The exclusive new 'World' Award will reward the best efforts and contributions to Global Village 2005," said Khalid Al Shafar, Global Village Marketing Manager adding, "Cash prizes as well as trophies and certificates will be awarded to the best participants in seven different categories. And due to the heavy demand the last date is being pushed further to March 26 so as to include a larger participation."

A distinguished panel of judges from the Government Departments and various private sectors is overseeing the award, which aims to promote the concept of Global Village regionally and internationally. The 'World' Award has been divided under various categories. The first category includes Award for the Best Pavilion, which will be given on the criteria of Best Design, Best Management and Services and Best Cultural Representation of a country. The Judging Committees for this Award include the Global Village Management, Dubai Cultural Council, Dubai Police and the Civil Defence.

A large number of entries have come flooding in for participation for the newly introduced, second category of Best Cultural Feature in English and Arabic about Global Village which will be judged by the Journalists' Association. Due to the large demand and increased interest of participation in this area of competition, the closing date for submission for this category has been pushed from March 20 to Saturday, March 26. This gives the entrants more time to send in their articles. Individual journalists have to apply on the forms provided with original clippings of the feature with their bylines and submit it at the Global Village administrative office.

"The awards are a genuine way to encourage and honour the efforts of all those involved in the success of the Global Village. In-depth planning and originality of the participating parties is the secret to this grand success. Now the scope of the award has been expanded by including the second category of Best Cultural Feature in English and Arabic about Global Village which will be judged by the Journalists' Association and the third category of Best Photograph of Global Village to be judged by the Arab Union of Photographers. The fourth category includes Award for the Best Village Event which will be assessed by a Judging Committee from the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing," said Khalid.

"The fifth category includes Award for the Best Restaurant at the Global Village which is being judged by The Emirates Culinary Guild and the Dubai Municipality. The sixth category includes Award for Best Media Coverage awarded for the Radio Programme and Best TV Show on the Global Village. This Award will be judged by the Dubai Media City. The seventh category will include Award for Best Global Day for pavilions only. This Award will be judged by the Global Village Management and Asfaar Magazine," he said.

The names of the winners will be announced on March 31 at the Global Village closing day ceremony.