LAUSR

When did you last read a good news story about care in the general media in your country? When did you or a family member last give thanks to a caregiver who went the extra mile? We do hope that you can remember at least one good news story and delivered at least one compliment to a worthy caregiver. We all know that examples of good care are only the tip of the international exemplary care iceberg. Every day, across our countries, nurses and other caregivers are providing ethical care. They demonstrate ethical and clinical competence, creativity and a wide range of ethical values and virtues as they strive to promote the flourishing of all in their care – patients, families and communities. Through the efforts of the Editorial Board and readers of Nursing Ethics and members of the Advisory Board of the International Care Observatory, we can do much more to recognize and celebrate the exemplary ethical efforts of nurses around the world. The Human Rights and Nursing Awards are given by the International Care Ethics (ICE) Observatory at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. The ICE Observatory is the successor of the International Centre for Nursing Ethics (ICNE) at the School of Health Sciences, University of Surrey. The Awards were an idea that emerged from conversations between one of the authors of this Editorial (Verena Tschudin) and Geoffrey Hunt (co-founding editor of this journal). The awards have since hugely gained in momentum and we know of no other such award in nursing. The Human Rights and Nursing Awards were first given in 2001 to three people. Subsequently, they were given in 2003 and 2005. They are now awarded to two people each year. In 2001, the Awardees received only a certificate and a small engraved bowl. In 2003, they received a small sum each (£500) in addition to the certificate and bowl. In 2005, a group of anonymous donors guaranteed a yearly sum for the Awards, thus making it possible to give the Awards yearly. In 2014, an anonymous donor set up an investment for the Awards so that a yearly sum from interest can be used for the Awards. Transport to the venue where the Awards are given and two nights’ accommodation are first deducted from the total amount available. What is left of the money for that year is given to the Awardees for the furthering of their work. Several Awardees have secured substantial funding for their work based entirely on the reputation of the ICNE Awards given to them. Citations and Criteria for the Awards are available on our website. We are looking forward to witnessing the award ceremony at our conference this year in Leuven. You can read the full citations for this year’s most deserving recipients in this issue of Nursing Ethics. We have listed below the names and achievements of previous award recipients.