The Award

The award winner receives a travel grant to allow them, and a travelling companion, to attend the biennial MSIF Council, Board and Committee Meetings. The award covers all travel and accommodation costs, and other expenses such as food and registration fees, for the winner and accompanying person.

The winner is presented with an MSIF certificate and is be expected to make a small speech.

In addition, the winner is awarded UK£500 towards the cost of any suitable product, service or activity. It is envisaged that this would contribute to a local, regional or national project or programme which serves to enhance the influence and position of people with MS within national MS societies.

All candidates receive an MSIF certificate in acknowledgement of their nomination.

Eligibility

Any living* person with MS known to a national MS society is eligible.

*at the time of nomination

Nomination of Candidates

National MS societies must nominate candidates. Nominations are evaluated using the following criteria:

A the candidate’s involvement in and contribution to the development/growth of their national MS society, local branch or MS community,
B the candidate's past and present achievements in the MS field,
C what makes the candidate stand out from other people with MS,
D any additional information that may be relevant.

In addition, nominating MS societies are required to provide an overview of the current situation for people with MS in their country, this could include information on the services and support offered by the society and other voluntary/statutory bodies; the rights of people with MS in the areas of treatment and management of the disease, accessibility, education or employment and the levels of MS awareness in the country.

Only one nomination per national MS society may be submitted.

Nominations may be edited by the MSIF Secretariat to ensure that they are as complete as possible.

National MS societies wanting to find out more about the award should email Zoe Burr, Head of International Development.

Deadline

The next James D. Wolfensohn Award for International Person with MS will be awarded in 2011.

Selection

The PwMSIC Executive Committee evaluate the nominations. The fact that English may not be the first language of nominating national MS societies will be taken into consideration.

The winner is announced at the MSIF April Board and Committee Meetings in London and in Making Connections.

2009 Winner

Ninfa Monarres Madrid from Mexico

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Past Winners