### Impartialities in the Selection Process for the Altruism Award
This year, Baja California will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the State Altruism Award. “Red Social,” a community bulletin that highlights the activities of civil society organizations, began its publication of the call for nominations in August. The award aims to highlight charitable actions toward others and provide inspiration for those looking to help but don’t know how to start.
There are many awards given out daily to recognize individuals excelling in various fields. Often these awards are transient, based on the whims of group leaders who may introduce them into their programs, only to be discarded by their successors. However, since its inception, the Altruism Award has maintained impartiality in its selection process by appointing an Evaluation Committee. Since 1999, the Vice-Rector of the UABC Tijuana has presided over this committee, which annually renews four of its five members. The names and requirements for nomination are published in September.
Altruism has several defining features: it is a way of life based on the highest aspiration of helping, assisting, and showing solidarity with others. This is rooted in empathy, generosity, and mutual aid. Living in a social environment, humans depend on relationships with others, making cooperation, equality, and mutual tolerance vital.
A fundamental principle for those who practice altruism is “non-violence.” All forms of aid, assistance, and solidarity should be promoted with peace, respect, tolerance, humility, and gratitude, without resorting to any type of violence. This principle would also benefit political leaders, starting with the President of the Republic, who has coarsened public discourse and actions.
“Red Social” recognizes three categories: Individual, Institution, and Posthumous. In Tijuana alone, 356 institutions are registered for 2024. Although there is no state-wide directory, there are at least 2,000 active institutions, plus countless individuals acting in solidarity.
**Additional Information:**
– Nominations and application forms can be downloaded from www.lagacetaredsocial.com.
– New government policies could leave a damaging legacy, particularly the destruction of the Judicial Power, which may cause more harm than the issues in the health sector or the cancellation of the new CDMX airport.
– Another concern is the overrepresentation of certain political parties in Congress, which future generations will find detrimental.
Luz Elena Picos is the director of “Red Social” in Tijuana and can be contacted at [email protected].
—
### Secondary Article: Baja California’s Altruism Award Under Scrutiny
As the State Altruism Award in Baja California nears its 25th anniversary, questions about the selection process’s impartiality have surfaced. Critics argue that even though the Evaluation Committee boasts renewable members and is presided over by a respected academic figure, transparency in the selection criteria remains a concern.
In other news, *Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar* recently faced backlash following accusations of favoritism in local government appointments. Residents have called for more stringent measures to ensure impartiality and fairness within all award processes, including the esteemed Altruism Award.
The community remains hopeful that the award will continue to serve its intended purpose of fostering goodwill and altruism among citizens and institutions alike.