Dorje Khatri Award

Dorje Khatri, President of Nepal’s Sherpa trade union, and Vice-President of GEFONT, was tragically killed in an avalanche on Mount Everest (Chomolungma) in April 2014. On one of his many ascents to the summit of the mountain, he planted the ITUC flag, in just one of his many activities to highlight the effects of climate change and the need for climate action.

Since then, as decided by the 3rd ITUC World Congress, the ITUC General Council annually recognises outstanding contributions to the fight for sustainability and justice, through the Dorje Khatri Award.

In preparation for the 16th meeting of the ITUC General Council in December in Vienna, we are inviting nominations for the 2016 Dorje Khatri Award. To make a nomination, please send to [email protected] a short (maximum one page A4) description of the work of your nomination, its relevance to trade unions and the world of work, and to the fight for climate action and climate justice. Individuals, organisations or indeed local communities are eligible to be considered for the Award.

The 2014 Dorje Khatri Award was awarded to the family of Edwin Chota, an Asheninka indigenous person who was killed due to his work in the struggle for land rights and against illegal logging around the Peru/Brazil border.

The 2015 Award was awarded to the ITUC Philippines affiliates TUCP, FFW, SENTRO, KMU) for their extraordinary commitment to the twin objectives of climate action and workers’ rights.