Beijing seeks nominees for inspiring role models

The Beijing government is asking the public to recommend role models in Beijing who perform good deeds, starting from May and continuing through September.

It is part of the "Seeking Moral Role Models in Beijing" campaign that started at the beginning of the year.

First launched in 2011, the campaign has become an annual search for people who benefit others in their daily lives or may have done a singular, but significant, good deed.

"The chosen people are examples for other citizens in the city to follow. Role models can be ordinary people just like anyone else," authorities said.

By promoting and praising role models, whether they help others, care for family members, benefit society or simply exhibit outstanding behavior, the campaign hopes awareness of good social values will positively impact everyone.

The organizing committee looks for such role models by soliciting recommendations in various ways, asking grass-roots government departments, the media and the general public.

Five nominees are chosen from the recommended candidates each week, with those selected narrowed down to 10 each month. Fifty finalists will remain after the recommendation period ends.

From November to December, in the final stage of the campaign, 10 nominees will be selected as the Beijing moral role models for 2015, through a combination of online voting and an official judging panel. A grand awards ceremony will follow the final selection.

Nominations can be made, with details, through an online platform - bjby.jbwmb.gov.cn - and a hotline - (+86) 010-6566-1566.

In 2014, 10 people in Beijing were chosen from more than 100 candidates as Moral Role Models for their kindness, dedication, perseverance and selflessness.

The winners included a PhD candidate who helps senior citizens, a taxi driver who has donated more than 5,000 milliliters of his rare blood type over 10 years, and a resident dedicated to saving water.

Below are some of this year's nominees.

zhaoqian@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/24/2015 page12)