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For the first time in their eleven-year history, MOBO has introduced
a non music-based community award – the Western Union BeMOBO
award that will recognise an individual or organisation that is
actively involved in positive work within the community.
Sponsored by global money transfer company Western Union, and nominated
by the MOBO organisation, the recipient of the Western Union BeMOBO
Award will espouse the MOBO Awards social ideals of being courageous,
forward thinking and active within the community. They could range
from a youth worker helping young people in their area, to a global
organisation lobbying for political change.
Anti-Slavery International, the world's oldest international human
rights organisation, is the inaugural Western Union BeMOBO award
winner, the MOBO Awards announced today.
Founded in 1839 by the same abolitionists who led the campaign
to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade in 1807, Anti-Slavery International
campaigns for the eradication of slavery, exposes current cases,
supports the initiatives of local organisations to release people
and presses for implementation of laws against slavery.
They are the leading organisation in this field and are the only
charity in the UK working exclusively against slavery and related
practices.
Aidan McQuade Director of Anti-Slavery International said: "We
are honoured to be awarded the first Western Union BeMOBO Award.
This Award gives Anti-Slavery International the opportunity to highlight
the fact that there are more than 12 million people in slavery today
and governments around the world have failed to address this problem.
Two hundred years ago ordinary people pushed slavery to the top
of the political agenda – we need to do that again if we are
going to make elimination of slavery a reality once and for all."
Kanya King CEO and Founder of The MOBO Awards said: "For
its inaugural year we wanted to ensure the first award recipient
was somebody that has historical and current resonance. Given that
2007 is the two hundredth anniversary of Britain's abolition of the slave trade,
MOBO wanted to ensure that this incredibly important issue is given
the profile it deserves. Not only to remember our past but also
to highlight that slavery still exists today and it is all of our
responsibility to eradicate it. Anti-Slavery International was our
first choice award recipient because of the amazing work they do
in the field."
AJ Hanna, Regional VIce President, Western Union UK, Ireland and
Nordics said: "Western Union is thrilled to be the title
sponsor of the MOBO awards. We are especially excited to be the
category sponsors of the first ever Western Union BeMOBO award.
Western Union is committed to supporting the initiatives and celebrating
the cultures of the diverse communities we serve. This year's winner
is Anti-Slavery International. As part of the Mayor of London's
initiative, 2007 is the year for Anti-Slavery and Western Union
is extremely happy to present this award to this groundbreaking
organisation."
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