The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) has announced recipients of the 66th edition of Ramon Magsaysay Awards (2024), the , premier prize of Asia and highest honor which recognises the greatness of spirit shown in selfless service to the peoples of Asia.
The 2024 recipients includes 4 Individuals and 1 Group:
- Hayao Miyazaki (Japan),
- Karma Phuntsho (Bhutan),
- Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong (Vietnam),
- Farwiza Farhan (Indonesia), and
- the Rural Doctors’ Movement (Thailand).
Note: The official award ceremony is scheduled to be held in Manila, Philippines on 16th November 2024.
2024 Recipients:
| Winner | Country | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Hayao Miyazaki | Japan | The award recognised his lifelong commitment to the use of art (animation), to illuminate the human condition and his devotion to children as the torchbearers of the imagination. |
| Farwiza Farhan | Indonesia | The award recognised her profound understanding of the vital connection between nature and humanity and her commitment to social justice and responsible citizenship through her work with forest communities. |
| Karma Phuntsho | Bhutan | The award recognised his contributions towards harmonizing the richness of Bhutan’s past with the diverse predicaments and prospects of its present and inspiring young Bhutanese to be proud of their heritage and confident in their future. |
| Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong | Vietnam | The award recognised her spirit of public service which serves as a warning for the world to avoid war at all cost. |
| Rural Doctors Movement | Thailand | The award recognised the Thai doctors advocating for healthcare in rural areas and their continuing contribution to Thai people’s health. |
About Hayao Miyazaki:
i.Hayao Miyazaki (83), a Japanese animator and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has been recognized for his significant contributions to environmental protection and promoting peace through animation.
ii.He won the Academy Award (Oscars) for Best Animated Feature for his 2001 film Spirited Away and His 2023 film ‘The Boy and the Heron’. He also received the Academy Honorary Award in November 2014, for his impact on animation and cinema.
iii.His other noted works includes Howl’s Moving Castle; The Wind Rises; My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, among others.
About Farwiza Farhan:
i.Farwiza Farhan, hailing from Indonesia, is an environmental activist and co-founder of the Forest, Nature, and Environment of Aceh Foundation (HAkA).
ii.She is awarded for her work in protecting the Leuser Ecosystem, a 2.6-million-hectare rainforest in Sumatra’s Aceh province.
About Karma Phuntsho:
i.Karma Phuntsho, hailing from Bhutan, is a former Buddhist monk and founder of an educational charity. He is honored for his work in preserving Bhutan’s cultural heritage while aligning it with modern aspirations.
ii.He meticulously documenting and digitizing over 3,000 hours of recordings, 4.55 million pages of digital texts, and a vast collection of photographs and artifacts.
About Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong:
Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong from Vietnam is recognized for her efforts in seeking justice for victims of Agent Orange, a defoliant used by the United States (US) forces during the Vietnam War.
About Rural Doctors’ Movement:
The Rural Doctors’ Movement from Thailand is honored for their dedication to securing adequate healthcare for Thailand’s rural poor, and transforming rural healthcare since the 1970s.
About Ramon Magsaysay Award:
Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1958 in honor of President Ramon Magsaysay, the seventh president of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s highest honor. The award is internationally-recognized as the Nobel Prize of Asia.
- Recipients receive a Medallion, a Citation, and a cash prize of USD 50,000.
Indian Recipients of Ramon Magsaysay Award:
Dr. R. Ravi Kannan, a surgical oncologist and Director of Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC) in Assam, won the 2023 award for his work to improve cancer treatment in Assam.
- Other Indian recipients include journalist Ravish Kumar (2019); human rights activist Bezwada Wilson (2016); Anshu Gupta of Goonj (Non-Governmental Organization-NGO)(2015); Arvind Kejriwal (2006); Mahasweta Devi (1997); Satyajit Ray (1967); Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (1966); Mother Teresa (1962); and Vinoba Bhave (1958)
Recent Related News:
i.Sudarsan Pattnaik (Odisha), Indian Sand Artist has won the Golden Sand Master Award with a gold medal at the International Sand Sculpture Championship/Festival 2024 held in St. Petersburg, Russia.
ii.Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) announced the winners of 2024 COSPAR Awards during the 45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly which is being held in Busan, South Korea from 13th to 21st July 2024. Two Indian Scientists Prahlad Chandra Agrawal and Anil Bhardwaj were among the winners of the 2024 COSPAR Awards.
About Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF):
Chairperson– Cecilia L. Lazaro
President– Susanna B. Afan
Headquarters– Manila, Philippines
Establishment– 1957
