TAKREEM was created as a venue in which to recognize outstanding accomplishments of Arab men and women. Through the TAKREEM Achievement Awards excellence in the Arab world is identified and highlighted, communicating to the level of experience and expertise among organizations and individuals present among Arabs living throughout the world.
Awards are given in ten categories including Innovation for Education and the Young Entrepreneur Award. In 2011 the Award for the Advancement of Peace went to the Arab Youth Movement, an organization that played a significant role in the movements of January 17th, February 25, illustrating that regime change can be enacted through peaceful, non-violent mechanisms. Journalist and writer, Souhayr Belhassen has always wished to “give a voice to the voiceless.” She was recognized as the 2011 Arab woman of the year for her activism, particularly her leadership in the Ligue Tunisienne de Défense des Droits de l’Homme (LTDH), which saved 18 Tunisians from certain death after they had been found guilty of taking part in the bread riots in 1984.
TAKREEM is overseen and operated by a distinguished group of people, comprising an advisory board, a selection committee, the honorary board and an international jury. Those who serve TAKREEM include Her Majesty Queen Noor El Hussein, Fuad El Hibri, Lebanese businessman and Chairman and CEO of Emergent BioSolutions and Dr. Martin Vincent Battle, an American diplomat who is the former Ambassador to Lebanon and has been a member of the Foreign Service since 1977.
