Ramon Magsaysay Awards Press Release
28 July 2001
FOR RELEASE ON JULY 30, MONDAY
Reference
Tel. Nos.
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Carmencita T. Abella-;-
EMERGENT WOMEN LEADERS TAKE CENTERSTAGE
IN 2001 RAMON MAGSAYSAY AWARDS
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) affirms the role of young nationmovers in the new millennium by recognizing the work of two young, undauntable
women leaders for the “Emergent Leadership” category of the prize. The women —
Dita Indah Sari (Indonesia) and Oung Chanthol (Cambodia) — are at the forefront of the
struggle against labor abuses and anti-women crimes, respectively.
“Emergent Leadership is an entirely new category the RMAF Board introduced this year
to acknowledge young people, age 40 and below, who are effecting significant social
change in their immediate sphere and beyond,” says Foundation president Carmencita
Abella.
The other 2001 Magsaysay awardees are from China, India, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
Wu Qing of China is the awardee for Public Service in the field of women empowerment
as a Deputy in the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress.
Yuan Longping, a plant scientist from China, develops high-yielding hybrid rice to feed
the millions in his country and in Asia, as director general of the China National Hybrid
Rice Research and Development Center. He is this year’s awardee for Government
Service.
Rajendra Singh of India is bringing life back to villages, replenishing the soil, and
reviving his people’s spirit by addressing the vital need for water in Alwar, Rajasthan.
He receives this year’s prize for Community Leadership.
Ikuo Hirayama of Japan mobilizes nations to work together to preserve cultural sites in
Asia , healing the fissions of history through present-day balms of goodwill in the
process. He does this as a private citizen and as UNESCO’s ambassador of goodwill.
He is being awarded for his work towards Peace and International Understanding.
K.W.D. Amaradeva, child-musical prodigy of not-so-long ago, has wedded the poetry of
his native Sinhalese culture to Buddhist chants, North Indian ragas and Christian hymns.
The result is a dazzling display of melody, culture, and message that breathes life to the
Sri Lankan spirit. He receives this year’s award in the category of Journalism, Literature,
& Creative Communication Arts.
“If I were to try to capture the theme of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards given for this
year,” Abella says, “it would seem to revolve around the idea of “giving life to the new
millennium. . . . The awardees are being given recognition for their work as selfless
achievers who provide models for the new generation of Asians: in the area of providing
the basic necessities of life -- food, water, and livelihood; in their contribution to the
work of promoting the rule of law and of redefining the role of women in these new
times; and finally, in the work of enriching this new global culture by appreciating the
past and continuing with the endless task of cultural unification while maintaining
national uniqueness. These men and women have exhibited ‘greatness of spirit’ in
service to the people towards these important ends.”
The Foundation president explains that they do not choose the awardees on the basis of
some predefined theme but admits that outstanding work in certain fields reflect the
critical needs of our times.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is given yearly to individuals who pulse with a “greatness
of spirit” such as that which was displayed in the life of the 3rd president of the Republic
of the Philippines, after whom the award is named. It has been dubbed as Asia’s version
of the Nobel Prize.
The 2001 Magsaysay Award Presentation Ceremonies will be held at the Cultural Center
of the Philippines on August 31.