Indo-Canadian Teenager Receives International Diana Award

TORONTO – Ontario-based teenagerHarnoor Gill has been honoured withan International Diana Award for a charityset up in memory of Princess Diana.The Diana Appreciation formed in2011 in memory of Princess Diana andsupports many foundations around theworld. It was established as a legacy forthe princess, who believed that youngpeople could change the world.The award is presented to youngpeople who have dedicated their time tohelping people, and have made outstandingcontributions to their local communities.Harnoor, 15, founder of the PeaceWelcome Club (PWC), a grass-rootyouth-led group based in the Georgetown,Canada hopes to get involved inpromoting the award.He has been nominated for a DianaAward for his work to engage otheryoung people to make positive changesworldwide. Harnoor has been awardedfor his compassion and selfless commitmentto improving the lives of others.His leadership and commitmentto the project has also been rewardedat school on behalf of the Halton DistrictCatholic School Board. This is notHarnoor’s first award, and the busy teenhas also been nominated for numerousawards that can be traced back even tohis Kindergarten years.Daniel Gothard, Diana Award projectofficer, said, “The assessors were extremelyimpressed with the diversity ofactivities that Harnoor has been involvedin and that the nomination really did havethat “Wow” factor that we were lookingfor. Consequently the assessment panelscored Harnoor very highly,”At PWC children learn how to stayengaged, connected within their communitiesincrease their self-confidence, andto help learn leadership skills to make thisworld a better place for the future.The group has a growing team ofyoung people worldwide from as youngas eight years old.When asked for comments, Harnoorsaid: “I am so proud to be one of theaward recipients for the Diana Award andI look forward to inspire young people locallyand internationally.”Harnoor is the first Indo-Canadianto be awarded the Diana Awards.Clara Costa, Halton Children’s AidSociety volunteer supervisor, noted,“Harnoor is one of our amazing youngvolunteers with many accomplishments.We are delighted to support his nominationfor an International Diana Award.”An excellent role model for youngpeople and warmly accepted by theworldwide community, Harnoor is on amission to make a difference globally.“If I can do it so can you”, and “Iwant to become a role model to helpyoung people build up their confidenceand self-esteem,” said Harnoor.Among Harnoor’s other commitments,is leading an international campaign,Jean Green Drive, which aimsto provide gently used jeans to underprivilegedchildren worldwide, Go ZeroWaste, and Book Drive to promote literacyskills among unfortunate childreninternationally.Harnoor sits on the Green Team,Anti-bullying Student Voice group athis school and has been part of variousgroups campaigning for youth-led projectsin the local community. Harnooris also a member of the Mayors YouthAction Committee and Be the ChangeSteering Committee of Brampton MulticulturalCouncil including his role as aYouth Caucus of Protect Our Water andEnvironmental Resources, the local environmentalorganization.“It is so gratifying to see someone soyoung taking such an active role in betteringhis community and surroundings.I have only given a short introductionon this special young Canadian. Therewill be more to come for sure. Look outfolks, Harnoor Gill is on his way!!” saidRon Speer, a retired principal of the localcommunity of Halton Hills.For his work in the communityand environment, Harnoorhas been profiled in numerouspublications globally, includingCanadian Living, The Independent& Free Press, Asian Journal,South Asian Focus, Chickadee,Ecokids of Earthday Canada,Times of India, HindustanTimes and many others.Most recently Harnoor wasnamed Canada’s Top 15 under15, and has also been honouredwith YMCA Peace Medallionand The Queen Elizabeth IIDiamond Jubilee Medal. YoungConservationist and InternationalYoung Eco-hero, Harnoorhas worked to supportthe local municipality Town ofHalton Hills, and his nominatedchildren’s aid charity at HaltonChildren’s Aid Society, where heis a volunteer.For youth looking to get involved,Harnoor advises to stayinformed and active in your immediatelocal communities.