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In 2006 the Dharma Drum Humanities and Social Improvement Foundation ( DDHSIF) launched the "Caring for Life ¡VNo, Suicide, No " social movement. Every year, as a part of the World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD), we partner with the National Suicide Prevention Center (NSPC) and some other groups to organize a series of events aimed at reminding the general population of their responsibility insuicide prevention.At the same time, we seek to establish and strengthen people's respect for life, encourage caring and understanding, promote compassion and wisdom. Last year (2007) DDHSIF organized a "Caring for Life" award for local community in Taiwan to encourage one for each group and individual inolved with suicide prevention, which received a strong response, following the international conference on Suicide Prevention Crisis Line hosted by the NSPC in late july. |
Suicide prevention is now an important issue in the international community that requires everyone to work together and share their experience. This year (2008), DDHSIF decided to expand the scope of the awards by reaching out to related international organizations, the various level of governments and the greater communities concerned.
For this year's WSPD in September, DDHSIF ,under the auspices of government authorities concerned and in partnership with the NSPC, will host the "2008 International Caring for Life Awards" (here-in-after referred to as ICLA 2008). Top representatives from the World Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) will be invited to attend and present the awards, while the National Suicide Prevention Center will co-host a symposium on caring for life and suicide prevention. These joint efforts will boost public participation and effectiveness.
The "ICLA 2008" will present two individual awards ¡V the "Wisdom Award" and "Compassion Award", one to two group awards ¡V the "Great Vow Award" and one "Special Contribution Award".
Anyone that had to overcome difficulties to face the great changes or difficulties in their lives, and resisted the urge to commit suicide and can serve as a positive inspiration or role-model to society, and is eligible to enter the "Wisdom Award". Those involved with care for life or suicide prevention related work that helped suicidal people recover from their difficulties, or made significant contributions to the theory and practice of suicide prevention, may enter the "Compassion Award". All officially registered groups involved with the promotion or execution of caring for life and suicide prevention activities may enter the "Great Vow Award".
The organizers have also set up the "Special Contribution Award" this year. This will be presented to an outstanding individual selected by the organizers involved in the international suicide prevention and care for life sectors to recognize their achievements.
The Dharma Drum Humanities & Social Improvement Foundation and the National Suicide Prevention Center hopes that the recognition of roles models in "Compassion, Wisdom and Care" will help the general population learn how to face challenges in life, treasure and respect life, and make everyone take responsibility for suicide prevention. At the same time, the awards will promote greater awareness of suicide prevention's importance in society and throughout the nation, recognize the valuable work done by social workers and encourage people to become involved in caring for life.
Shih Guo-Dong, Chief Convener of the Organizer / Abbot President, Dharma Drum ¡@¡@¡@¡@¡@¡@¡@¡@Mountain
Ming-Been Lee M.D., Chairman of the National Suicide Prevention Center
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