The much anticipated and newly rebranded UNFPA Caribbean Population Awards was held at the Torrarica Hotel, Paramaribo, Suriname on Friday, November 28, 2008.

The Organization of Indigenous People of Suriname copped the top prize in the inaugural non-media category of the ninth staging of the United Nation’s Population Awards, for its efforts in monitoring the treatment of the Suriname indigenous community. The group emerged first place winner from among two other competitors and for their efforts received a grant of US $10,000 to continue their work. In addition to the three non-media entrants, a total of fifty media practitioners working in the field of population and development submitted compelling radio, television and print entries, all vying for Platinum, Gold or Silver Awards in each category. As Chief Judge, Tony Best noted, many journalists worked the freedom to submit limitless entries to their advantage. “Many Journalists submitted multiple entries which reflected an interest in sexual and reproductive health, a desire to reach the largest possible audience and an understanding of population dynamics that included migration, family planning, gender, poverty and safe motherhood,” he stated.