Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards
Established 2026 · Inaugural Awards · Australia · October–November 2027
Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards
Established 2026 · Inaugural Awards · Australia · October–November 2027
Established 2026 · Inaugural Awards 2027
Recognising Excellence. Celebrating Contribution. Building Friendship.
For all people of Afghanistan. Across every ethnicity, generation, gender and background. Celebrating people connected to Afghanistan and the wider Australian community for excellence, leadership, service and contribution.
2026
Established
2027
Inaugural Awards
Oct–Nov
Australia · 2027
8
States & Territories
A Celebration for All
The Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards celebrate people connected to Afghanistan and the wider Australian community, across all ethnicities, generations, genders, professions and backgrounds.
From young emerging leaders to senior community, professional and civic leaders, the Awards recognise people whose achievements and contributions make a meaningful difference.
Recognising people from every ethnic and cultural community of Afghanistan.
From young people and emerging leaders to senior leaders and lifetime contributors.
From business, education and academia to public service, arts, culture, humanitarian work and community leadership.
Welcoming people across Australia and, where applicable, internationally, subject to eligibility requirements.
The Awards are not defined by ethnicity, age, profession or social background. They are defined by excellence, contribution, leadership and service.
More Than an Awards Ceremony
The Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards are being established not simply as an annual awards program, but as an enduring national institution dedicated to recognising excellence, leadership and service.
The Awards provide a national platform to celebrate people of Afghanistan from all ethnicities and communities, as well as Australians and organisations that contribute to Australian society and to friendship, understanding and engagement between Australia and Afghanistan.
While inspired by the connections between Australia and Afghanistan, the purpose of the Awards is fundamentally Australian:
To recognise excellence, strengthen social cohesion and contribute to a more inclusive, confident and connected nation.
The Awards are being developed as an inclusive, independent and non-partisan national institution, designed to grow through broad partnerships across government, local government, business, academia, civil society and communities.
Our Ambition
Our Vision
Our vision is to establish a nationally recognised platform where people connected to Afghanistan, across ethnicities, generations, genders and backgrounds, can be recognised alongside the wider Australian community for their achievements and contributions.
…in a shared celebration of excellence, service and friendship.
Our Purpose
Excellence, leadership, achievement and service.
The diverse contributions of people from all communities and backgrounds to Australian society.
People and institutions across generations, communities and sectors.
Social cohesion, multicultural understanding, civic participation and intergenerational leadership.
A lasting platform for friendship and engagement between Australia and Afghanistan.
Our Principles
Seven principles guide how recipients are recognised, how partners are engaged and how the institution is governed.
Recognition is based on achievement, contribution and demonstrated impact.
The Awards are committed to transparency, fairness and responsible stewardship.
The Awards welcome contributions from all communities and backgrounds.
Recognition is based on merit and contribution, not political affiliation or personal association.
The Awards remain independent of political parties and partisan interests.
The Awards recognise those who contribute to the public good and the communities around them.
The Awards seek to strengthen understanding, respect and people-to-people connections between Australia and Afghanistan.
Australia–Afghanistan Friendship
The relationship between Australia and Afghanistan extends beyond governments and diplomacy. It is also reflected in the people, families, professionals, students, entrepreneurs, community leaders and citizens who connect the two countries.
The Awards celebrate these connections and create opportunities for greater understanding, dialogue and friendship.
The initiative welcomes people and organisations from every ethnic, cultural and social background connected to Afghanistan, alongside the broader Australian community.
What We Celebrate
Award categories for the Inaugural Awards in 2027. Category criteria and eligibility will be published with the nomination details.
Outstanding leadership and contribution to community life.
Exceptional service and leadership in public and civic life.
Entrepreneurial achievement, innovation and economic contribution.
Excellence in education, research, scholarship and knowledge.
Outstanding contributions to Australia’s cultural and creative life.
Exceptional humanitarian and community service.
Recognising emerging leaders and young people creating positive change.
Recognising outstanding leadership, achievement and contribution by women.
Honouring exceptional achievement across professional fields.
Recognising individuals and organisations contributing to a more inclusive, connected and cohesive Australia.
Special Recognition Awards
Who Can Be Recognised?
The Awards recognise individuals, organisations and leaders whose achievements and contributions make a meaningful difference to Australian society or to the relationship between Australia and Afghanistan.
People connected to Afghanistan may be recognised regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, profession, cultural background or place of residence, subject to the relevant eligibility requirements.
Recognition may extend across community, professional, civic, academic, cultural, humanitarian, entrepreneurial and other areas of contribution.
How the Awards Work
01
Individuals and organisations nominate eligible people or organisations whose contribution deserves recognition.
02
Nominations are reviewed against published eligibility requirements.
03
An independent assessment process considers achievement, leadership, service, impact and contribution.
04
Final recipients are determined through the Awards’ governance and judging framework.
05
Recipients are recognised at the inaugural Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards.
Awards Integrity
The credibility of the Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards depends on the integrity of the recognition process. The Awards are committed to fair, transparent and merit-based recognition.
Recipients will be selected according to published criteria reflecting:
Recognition will not be based on political affiliation, financial contribution, organisational status or personal relationships.
No sponsorship, partnership or financial contribution will confer entitlement to an award.
Individuals involved in nominations, assessment or decision-making will be expected to disclose and appropriately manage any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
Governance & Judging
The Awards will establish appropriate governance and judging arrangements to ensure that recognition is determined fairly, transparently and on merit.
The governance framework will be designed to protect the credibility, independence and long-term institutional integrity of the Awards.
While the Federation of Hazara Councils of Australia (FHCA) serves as the founding steward during the establishment phase, the Awards are intended to develop beyond any single organisation and progressively establish appropriate independent governance, assessment and recognition processes.
Our Journey · 2026
2026 marked an important stage in the development of the Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards.
During this year, the initial concept evolved into a broader national vision: to establish an enduring, inclusive and non-partisan institution that recognises excellence, leadership and service while celebrating the contributions of people connected to Afghanistan and the wider Australian community.
2026
Throughout 2026, the initiative focused on:
A concept became a vision.
A vision began becoming an institution.
2027
Looking Ahead
The foundations established in 2026 will lead to the Inaugural Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards, bringing together people and institutions from across Australia to recognise excellence, celebrate contribution and build friendship.
Australia · October–November 2027
A National Initiative
The Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards seek to build a national network of people and institutions committed to recognising contribution and strengthening social cohesion.
The Awards are intended to reflect the diversity and national character of contemporary Australia.
VIC
Victoria
NSW
New South Wales
QLD
Queensland
SA
South Australia
WA
Western Australia
TAS
Tasmania
ACT
Australian Capital Territory
NT
Northern Territory
Founding Steward
The Federation of Hazara Councils of Australia (FHCA) is honoured to serve as the founding steward of the Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards during their establishment.
The Awards have been founded with the intention of growing beyond any single organisation and, over time, developing into an independent and nationally recognised institution.
The founding stewardship provides the initial foundation from which a broader national partnership can develop.
Founding Circle
Institutions of lasting significance are rarely created by one organisation alone. They are built through partnership, shared leadership and a common commitment to the public good.
The Founding Circle brings together organisations and institutions helping establish the foundations of the Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards.
Founding Circle
Organisations and institutions helping establish the foundations of the Awards.
Civic Partners
Local government plays an important role in building inclusive, connected and resilient communities. The Awards welcome collaboration with councils across Australia that share a commitment to multicultural participation, community leadership, inclusion and social cohesion.
Founding Parliamentary Support
The Awards are honoured to have received endorsement and support from Australian Senators and Members of the House of Representatives who recognise the importance of excellence, civic contribution, multiculturalism, social cohesion and stronger connections between Australia and communities connected to Afghanistan.
Their support reflects the national and non-partisan character of the Awards while maintaining the independence of the institution.
Supported by Australian Parliamentarians
Founding Corporate Partners
Businesses and industry leaders supporting excellence and contribution.
Founding Academic Partners
Universities and academic institutions supporting knowledge and engagement.
Founding Community Partners
Organisations connecting communities and recognising contribution.
Founding Philanthropic Partners
Supporters contributing to the long-term development of the institution.
Partnerships
The Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards invite organisations and institutions that share this vision to become part of the development of a national institution dedicated to recognition, contribution and friendship.
Ways to Engage
Support the development and delivery of the Awards.
Support specific programs, categories or event activities.
Collaborate through local government and community engagement.
Support research, knowledge and institutional engagement.
Help connect communities and recognise contribution.
Help share stories of achievement and contribution.
Contribute to the long-term development of the institution.
2027 Inaugural Awards
2027
Australia · October–November 2027
The inaugural Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards will mark the beginning of a new chapter in recognising excellence, leadership and service.
The event will bring together representatives from across Australia:
Be Part of the Inaugural Awards
Nominations
Do you know an individual or organisation whose leadership, achievement or service deserves national recognition?
The Awards provide an opportunity to recognise people whose contribution has made a meaningful difference to Australian society or strengthened friendship and understanding between Australia and Afghanistan.
Nominations for 2027
Submit a nomination for the Inaugural Awards.
Our Legacy
The Australia–Afghanistan Friendship Awards are intended to grow beyond an annual celebration. Over time, the Awards aspire to create a lasting platform for:
Recognising Achievement
Encouraging Civic Leadership
Strengthening Social Cohesion
Celebrating Contribution
Building Friendship
Stories of Contribution
Follow the stories of individuals and organisations whose achievements, leadership and service are contributing to Australian society and strengthening connections between Australia and Afghanistan.
Announcements
Milestones and updates as the Awards are established.
Partnerships
News as partnerships are confirmed across Australia.
Recipient Stories
Profiles of recipients after the Inaugural Awards in 2027.
Media
For media enquiries, interviews, official statements, photography or access to the Awards media kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Awards are a national initiative dedicated to recognising excellence, leadership and service while celebrating the contributions of people connected to Afghanistan and the wider Australian community.
No. The Awards are inclusive of all ethnicities and communities of Afghanistan, as well as the broader Australian community.
Yes. The Awards recognise contribution across generations, from young emerging leaders to senior community, professional and civic leaders.
Yes. The Awards recognise achievement, leadership and contribution across all genders.
Not necessarily. The Awards recognise people connected to Afghanistan as well as members of the wider Australian community whose achievements, service or contribution advance the values of excellence, friendship and social cohesion, subject to eligibility requirements.
No. The long-term vision is for the Awards to develop into a nationally recognised institution engaging government, local government, business, academia, civil society and communities across Australia.
The Awards were founded by the Federation of Hazara Councils of Australia, which serves as the founding steward during their establishment.
The Awards are non-partisan. They are intended to recognise contribution, excellence and leadership and to strengthen social cohesion and multicultural Australia.
The inaugural Awards will take place in Australia in October–November 2027. The final location and event arrangements will be announced.
Organisations can participate through partnerships, sponsorship, philanthropy, civic engagement, academic collaboration, community partnership, media partnership and other forms of support.
Contact
For partnership, nomination, sponsorship, media or general enquiries.
