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Humanitarian Award

Ms. Ashley Judd: KISS Humanitarian Award 2016

Ms. Ashley Judd: KISS Humanitarian Award 2016

Recipient : Ms. Ashley Judd, Hollywood Actor, Activist & Global Goodwill Ambassador, UNFPA

 

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Ashley Judd wins KISS Humanitarian Award

The prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2016 was conferred on the American actor-activist and Global Goodwill Ambassador for the UNFPA, Ashley Judd at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar on February 9, 2017

Dr. S. C. Jamir, His Excellency the Governor of Odisha presented the award in the august presence of Hon’ble Dr. Justice Dalveer Bhandari, Judge, International Court of Justice, The Hague; Madhu Bhandari; Diego Palacios, UNFPA India Country Representative and Country Director, Bhutan; C. J. Venugopal, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Odisha; Padma Shri Jitendra Haripal, singer; Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS; Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS; and R. N. Dash, Secretary.

“Human rights are under challenge all over the world and we need champions like Ms. Ashley Judd now more than ever”, said Dr. Jamir, commending her as a tireless champion of women rights. KISS is a glowing example of protecting human rights of tribal children, he stated, while expressing happiness that the Institute has been honouring outstanding men and women from all parts of the world through this annual award.

The award citation commended her work “to protect vulnerable women and girls from sex trafficking and empower young women” and recognized her as “a tireless ambassador of women’s right and a vocal critic of our biased social system”. She was unanimously chosen for the award for her “concern for the poor and vulnerable, and contributions in the field of health, poverty eradication and human rights”.

Expressing gratitude for the honour, Ms. Judd said, KISS is transforming poverty through education and nutrition. This award will empower and make me energetic to do more work for women and girl children. “I was sexually assaulted as a seven-year old”, she revealed, while stressing that violence and discrimination against women is pervasive in all countries and cultures. Women should have control of their own body, sex, and fertility, she insisted. “Support each other, help your people and your community”, she advised the 25,000 tribal girls and boys of the Institute witnessing the presentation ceremony.

Ms. Judd is a popular American actor who has played leading roles in Hollywood hits like Ruby in Paradise, Where the Heart is, Kiss the Girls and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Apart from her unforgettable performances in highly acclaimed films, the former Golden Globe and Emmy nominee has been involved in global humanitarian work since 2004. Her initial work revolved around AIDS in Africa. She is strongly committed to the cause of social justice, poverty eradication and sustainable development and a passionate advocate of rights of the girl child and women. Associated with numerous charities and foundations across the world, she was appointed Global Goodwill Ambassador for the UNFPA in 2016.

“This award is recognition of her commitment to humanitarian causes”, said Mr. Diego Palacios, informing that KISS and UNFPA have partnered to implement Life Skills Education programme in Odisha. UNFPA is proud of the recognition, he added.

The KISS Humanitarian Award was created in 2008 by Prof. Achyuta Samanta, a prominent educationist and social activist, to honour individuals with exceptional contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. It takes its name from Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), founded by Prof. Samanta in 1993. A unique and internationally acclaimed initiative of empowerment through education, KISS today serves 32,000 poorest of the poor tribal children (25,308 students and 7000 alumni) who receive free education, lodging, boarding, complete health care, enabling life and vocational skills.

Chosen by a high-level jury, KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world.

“The award, comprising a citation and a gold plated trophy that depicts a great social message, has attained much covetousness over the years”, said Prof. Samanta in his welcome address. It is the celebration of the struggles of the extraordinary human beings who try to alleviate the sufferings from the face of the earth, he stated.

“The trophy with a golden shine depicts a pair of hands upholding a heart that bears a smear of a multitude of waving hands. The pair of hands in the upholding gesture and the large heart represents compassionate service to humanity. A single pair of hands upholding the heart depicts how by art of giving a pair of dedicated hands can make a great difference in the lives of the helpless many. The shining golden color of the trophy stands for purity, altruism, prosperity and hope”, Prof. Samanta explained.

Ms. Ashley Judd is the ninth KISS Humanitarian Laureate. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are : His Excellency Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru (2015); Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Former Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office (2014); Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, FXB International, Switzerland; His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt. Hon. Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker & His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Eminent Educationist & Physician and Hon’ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Noted Social Worker & Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).

Smt. Bal delivered the presidential address, while R. N. Dash proposed vote of thanks.

Ms. Ashley Judd receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2016 in the presence of esteemed dignitaries.

A student of KISS presenting a portrait to Ms. Ashley Judd.

Audience on the award ceremony

(L to R) Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, Shri C. J. Venugopal, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Odisha,Smt Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, His Excellency Dr. S. C. Jamir, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, Hon’ble Dr. Justice Dalveer Bhandari, Judge, International Court of Justice, The Hague, Smt. Madhu Bhandari, Ms. Ashley Judd, Hollywood Actor, Activist & Global Goodwill Ambassador, UNFPA, Mr. Diego Palacios, UNFPA India Country Representative and Country Director, Bhutan and Mr. R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS during the award ceremony.

Ms. Ashley Judd lighting the traditional lamp at the ceremony.

Ms. Ashley Judd receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2016 in the presence of esteemed dignitaries.

Profile of  Ms. Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd is well known for dexterously starring in both box office hits and for turning in unforgettable performances in fine independent films. From her debut in Sundance Film Festival grand jury prize winner, Ruby In Paradise, to Where the Heart Is, Simon Burch, Helen, De-Lovely and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, her films tell very personal stories– which is exactly what Judd does when she is not making movies.

But the stories she tells are not about being a Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress or about making People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list three times.

Ashley Judd is a feminist social justice humanitarian. She has been working internationally, with NGO’S, grass roots organizations, governments, and supranational bodies since 2004.  Presently, she serves as Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNFPA, is the Global Ambassador for Population Services International, and also for Polaris Project.

She serves on the Advisory Boards of International Center for Research on Women, Apne Aap Worldwide, and Demand Abolition. She is Chairperson of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project: Curbing Abuse, Expanding Freedom.

She has also served as a board member for Population Services International (PSI) and as Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS. Ms. Judd speaks on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.

She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, and in 2010, earned an MPA from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.  Her paper, Gender Violence, Law and Social Justice won the Dean’s Scholar Award at Harvard Law School.

Judd has traveled the world to do international public health work on all fronts– maternal health, child survival, human rights, family planning, STD and HIV prevention and malaria prevention and treatment.

She has experienced firsthand the connection between poverty, illness and gender inequality and how that sets up the pain and degradation that is sex and labor slavery (on which she testified before the General Assembly of the United Nations). Judd says, “The more we hear their stories, the more motivated we are to heal them and the social systems that victimized them in the first place. I believe with all my soul that the art of compassionate witnessing is at the core of global change and peace building.”

She is also passionate about the environment. An eighth generation Kentuckian, she is an outspoken critic of mountaintop removal coal mining. A proponent of a “green collar” economy, Judd is committed to helping find innovative renewable energy solutions.

She frequently serves as an expert panelist at international conferences, is a sought after public speaker and is a widely published OpEd author, with a diverse and unique social media presence.

She has spoken at many prestigious conferences around the world, including the London School of Economics’ Family Planning Summit, sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She also hosted a talk with President Clinton on the work of the Clinton Foundation for the London School of Economics. In 2012, she spoke on the floor of the Democratic National Convention as the delegate from Tennessee asked to cast the ballots for the party’s nominee for president and vice president.

Whether it’s on behalf of a patient dying from a preventable illness a world away or on behalf a family struggling to find clean drinking water in Appalachia, Judd is telling the stories of the vulnerable and the at-risk. Judd says, “I don’t do it because I’m an actor. I do it because I’m a human being.”

A native Kentuckian, Ashley currently resides in Tennessee. Ashley is a PhD student at the University of California at Berkeley at the Goldman School of Public Policy.

Read more about her

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Humanitarian Award

Dr. Alejandro Toledo: KISS Humanitarian Award 2015

Dr. Alejandro Toledo: KISS Humanitarian Award 2015

Recipient : Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru

 

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The prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 was presented to His Excellency Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar on October 22, 2015.

Former President of Peru Receives KISS Humanitarian Award 2015

The prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 was presented to His Excellency Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar on October 22, 2015. Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS and Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder presented the award in the august presence of Madam Eliane Karp-Toledo, His Excellency Mr. J. J. Guillermo Betancourt Rivera, Ambassador of Peru to India, Mr. Carlos Jimenez Gil-Fortoul, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Peru in India and Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS.

The award citation recognized him as an “icon of hope and aspirations of millions of poverty stricken and indigenous aborigine people around the world.” Dr. Toledo was the first South American President of indigenous descent to be democratically elected when he became President of Peru in 2001. During his five-year term, his central aim was the fight against poverty through investment in healthcare and education. As a result of social policies directed to the poorest of the poor, extreme poverty was reduced by 25 per cent in five years, and employment rose at an average rate of 6 per cent during his term.

He grew up in extreme poverty in a family of sixteen siblings. However, he worked his way up against all odds, obtained higher education from top universities of the U.S. and went on to be elected the President of Peru. Education is the most effective weapon to slay poverty and inequality, Dr. Toledo said in his acceptance address. Speaking to 25,000 tribal boys and girls of KISS, he said, “I invite you to dream in order to be successful, but dream with your eyes open. Don’t get truncated by the impossibility of your dreams. We have a lot of things in common”.

“Dr. Samanta is changing the lives of millions of people. We give you tribute. I was born in a poor family in the high mountains of Andes of Peru. I grew up in extreme poverty – 7 out of 16 of my siblings died within the first year of birth. They died as they didn’t have access to health care, nutrition and sanitation, and the visionary Dr. Samanta. We didn’t have Dr. Samanta in my country and my continent”, the Former President of Peru stated.

Recounting the story of his life he said, his father decided to migrate from the mountains to the sea port when he was 4.5 years old. “I am of short height due to malnourishment, but I could save my mind. A shoe shining boy, newspaper seller to supplement the daily income, I come from where you come from. The challenge is same, even though the language and religion are different. You have the luck of being at KISS”, he told the students.

It is an emotional and happy experience to be amongst 25,000 indigenous children, said Madam Toledo, adding that it is a great learning as Peru also has a sizeable indigenous population. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rivera stated, Dr. Toledo’s life gives the message that one can achieve any success by studying hard and being gentle to others. This award is recognition to an extraordinary life who is committed to work for the poorest for the poor, he added.

In her presidential address, Smt. Bal said, presenting KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 to Dr. Toledo was a great honour for the institute. His words will be a source of great inspiration for the students of the institute, she added. Welcoming the former President of Peru and the visiting dignitaries, Dr. Samanta said, the recipient is a beacon of light to the aborigines of South America and his concern for the common man and indigenous people is well known all over the world.

The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar in 2008 to honour and recognize individuals with exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. The award is presented annually and its recipient is chosen by a high-level jury. KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo is the eighth KISS Humanitarian Laureate. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are: Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Former Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office (2014); Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, FXB International, Switzerland (2013); His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt. Hon. Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker & His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Eminent Educationist & Physician and Hon’ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Noted Social Worker & Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).

Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS also spoke on the occasion, while Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO, KISS proposed the vote of thanks.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru and Madam Eliane Karp-Toledo after receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2015 from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS in the presence of Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, His Excellency Mr. J. J. Guillermo Betancourt Rivera, Ambassador of Peru to India and Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru receiving a memento and a tribal painting from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS and Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS in the presence of Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS.

His Excellency Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru speaking on the occasion.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru with Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS and 25,000 tribal students of KISS.

Dr. Alejandro Toledo, Former President of Peru with tribal students of KISS.

Profile

Dr. Alejandro Toledo was democratically elected President of Peru in 2001. During his five-year term, the central aim of Toledo’s presidency was the fight against poverty through investment in healthcare and education. As a result of sustained economic growth and deliberate social policies directed to the poorest of the poor, extreme poverty was reduced by 25 per cent in five years, and employment rose at an average rate of 6 per cent from 2004-2006. From 2001-2006, the Peruvian economy grew at an average rate of 6-7.5% per cent, making it one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America.

Before becoming president, Dr. Toledo worked for the World Bank and the Inter- American Development Bank in Washington, D.C., and the United Nations in New York. He first appeared on the international political scene in 1996 when he formed and led a broad democratic coalition that eventually brought down in 2000 the autocratic regime of Alberto Fujimori.

Toledo was born in a small and remote village in the Peruvian Andes, 12,000 feet above sea level. He grew up in extreme poverty in a family of sixteen siblings. His family migrated from the high lands to a sea Port in the coast. At the age of six, Toledo worked as a street shoe  shiner and also sold newspapers and lottery tickets to supplement the family income. Thanks to a series of accidental opportunities, which included the decisive help of two Peace Corps Volunteers, he was able to escape from extreme poverty and attend the most prestigious academic centers of the world. Later he becoming one of the most prominent democratic leaders of Latin America and now globally. Dr. Toledo is the first South American President of indigenous descent to be democratically elected in five hundred years.

Toledo received a BA in Economics and Business Administration from the University of San Francisco California. He has an MA in Economics, and an MA and Ph. D. in the Economics of Human Resources from the School Education, Stanford University. During his academic career, Dr. Toledo was a Visiting Scholar and Research Associate at Harvard University and a Research Associate at Waseda University in Tokyo.

After finishing his term as President, Toledo returned to Stanford for three years, where he was a Distinguished Fellow in Residence at the University’s Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, and also a Payne Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at the Freeman Spogli Institute’s Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law.

Simultaneously, Dr. Toledo founded and continues to serve as the President of the Global Center for Development and Democracy (www.cgdd.org), which is based in Latin America, the United States, and the European Union. In 2009-2010 Dr. Toledo was a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., and also a Non – Resident Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and Global Economy and Development at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC.

Dr. Toledo, in recent years has published on policy oriented academic issues related to Economic Growth, Inclusiveness and Democracy. Most recently he has led several Electoral Observation Missions with NDI and the Carter Center, in Nicaragua, Ecuador and Tunisia.

Dr. Toledo has lectured in more than forty five countries on issues related to Economic Growth, Poverty and Inequality Reduction and Democracy, as well as on the Benefits of Human – Capital Investment. He has received 75 Honorary Doctoral Degrees from prestigious universities in Peru and around the world. Dr. Toledo serves in different Boards of Directors Foundations and Companies around the world.

Dr. Toledo most recent books are “ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION: FIVE YEARS IN WHICH WE PLANTEED THE FUTURE, 2001- 2006. Published by Planeta Press, July2014, Peru, and “THE SHARED SOCIETY: A VISION FOR THE GLOBAL FUTURE OF LATIN AMERICA”, Published by Stanford University Press, March 2015.

Categories
Humanitarian Award

Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray: KISS Humanitarian Award 2013

Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray: KISS Humanitarian Award 2013

Recipient : Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland

 

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KISS Humanitarian Award 2013 Conferred on Philanthropist Albina du Boisrouvray

The prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2013 was presented to global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Madam Albina du Boisrouvray from Switzerland at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar on February 26, 2014. Rabbi Julia Neuberger, The Baroness Neuberger DBE, Founding Trustee, Walter & Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust, U.K. presented the award in the august presence of Venerable Gyétrul Jigmé Rinpoché, Founder & Director, Ripa International Centre for Buddhist Study and Practice, Switzerland, Ms. Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, Bernard van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands, Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS and Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

The award citation recognized her “concern for the millions of vulnerable children and a vision for a world having linkage between health, human rights and poverty eradication”. Madam Boisrouvray is the founder of Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), which works with vulnerable children all over the world. The organization is named after her son, who was killed in an accident in 1986. Born in a wealthy family, she is a former journalist and film producer. However, the tragedy changed the course of her life and she established FXB International, which now leads over 100 programmes in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe.

Her son – François-Xavier Bagnoud – was a recue pilot, who dedicated his life to providing assistance to others, and FXB International takes forward his compassionate mission, she said in her acceptance address. “I am humbled to see the fantastic work that is being done in Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS). It is absolutely remarkable and I congratulate the Founder of KISS Dr. Samanta for it”, she stated. Investing in children is investing in world peace, she said, adding that she wishes to share the honour with FXB team in India.

Albina du Boisrouvray is a remarkable woman who was inspired by her grief, said Rabbi Neuberger, presenting the KISS Humanitarian Award – 2013. The world has hundreds of thousands of suffering children and needs many more Albinas, she added. Appreciating the work of KISS she stated, “I was delighted to see little children learning here in their own mother-tongue”. Aspirations on the face of boys and girls of the institute make the occasion very special, said Ms. Lisa Jordan. Bernard van Leer Foundation has partnered with the institute to implement multi-lingual education, she informed. Speaking to the 20,000 cheering indigenous children present at the presentation ceremony, Venerable Gyétrul Jigmé Rinpoché said, everyone is born equal and possesses tremendous potential to become great. But this potential is unused in absence of guidance, he stated, adding that he was happy to see that KISS is providing this guidance.

Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries to the presentation ceremony, Dr. Samanta said that it is a honour for KISS to felicitate Madam Boisrouvray, who has distinguished herself by helping millions of children in distress across the world. KISS, which is the largest free residential institute for tribal children, shares her concern, he added.

The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar in 2008 to honour and recognize individuals with exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. The award is presented annually and its recipient is chosen by a high-level jury. KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world.

Madam Albina du Boisrouvray is the sixth KISS Humanitarian Laureate. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are : His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt. Hon. Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker & His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Eminent Educationist & Physician and Hon’ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Noted Social Worker & Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).

The award ceremony was presided by Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS. Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT University, Shri R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS and Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO, KISS also spoke on the occasion.

Profile

Very few human beings demonstrate exemplary courage and conviction to turn their pains and agonies into their strengths for loving and taking care of millions of vulnerable children. It is the true story of Albina du Boisrouvray who was an illustrious film personality, a writer and a successful business tycoon before a personal tragedy struck. She was not crestfallen when her 24 years old son met a tragic death during a helicopter mission in Mali.

It was a dramatic change in her life which led her to walk away from a successful career of a film producer to champion the cause of the millions of vulnerable children left in the wake of devastating AIDS pandemic. She sold her personal belongings and assets to devote all her energy, creativity, experience and credibility as an entrepreneur to humanitarian causes through numerous projects worldwide.

She founded the Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International) in memory of her son to pursue in field of development and to perpetuate the value of generosity and compassion that guided François-Xavier’s life, focusing on AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. The mission of Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International) is to fight poverty and AIDS and to support vulnerable children all over the world. Today the organization leads over 100 programmes in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe.

It was in 1992 Albina du Boisrouvray established the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at the Harvard School of Public Health. A year later, the University of Michigan conferred upon her a “Doctor of Humane Letters Degree”.

She was made a “John Harvard Fellow” by Harvard University in 1996, and in 2001, Harvard students presented her with the “Harvard Project for International Health and Development Award”. She also received a Special Recognition Award for “Responding to the HIV/AIDS Orphan Crisis” at the second conference on Global Strategies for the prevention of HIV transmission from mothers to infants in Montreal, in September 1999.

For her work she received numerous awards including “Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur”, North-South Prize from the Council of Europe, “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 4th International Conference on AIDS in India, Thai Komol Khemthong Foundation Award of Outstanding Personality for the Year 2004, insignia of Officer in l’Ordre National du Mérite and “Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres”.

She has been a remarkable lady to think “for the forgotten issues of forgotten people in forgotten places”. As a visionary she could think – investing in children and youth is investing in world peace and security. As a tribute to the selfless work of Albina du Boisrouvray, the French TV Channel 5 devoted a full documentary within its “Empreintes”. “On behalf of the son” directed by Oliver Horn, produced by Gedeon Programs and France 5, was filmed in Thailand, Burma and from Uganda to the Swiss Alps, following Albina and meeting beneficiaries of her programs. Flowing from the source of her exceptional initiative, it gives us her conception of humanitarian development and sheds a clear light on the intrinsic meanings of her of a woman engaged and above all the love of a mother.

No wonder she received honours and accolades from all over the world and she has been acknowledged as a great human being to develop inter-linkage between health, human rights and poverty reduction.

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) feels honoured to confer the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award 2013 to Madam Albina du Boisrouvray.

(L to R) Dr. P. K. Routray, CEO, KISS, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, Venerable Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, Founder & Director, Ripa Intl Centre for Buddhist Study & Practice, Switzerland, Ms. Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, Bernard Van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands, Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland, Ms. Rabbi Julia Neuberger, The Baroness Neuberger DBE, Founding Trustee, Walter & Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust, U.K., Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT & Mr. R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS at the KISS Humanitarian Awards 2013 Ceremony.

Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award from Ms. Rabbi Julia Neuberger, The Baroness Neuberger DBE, Founding Trustee, Walter & Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust, U.K in the presence of Ms. Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, Bernard Van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands & Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland & Ms. Rabbi Julia Neuberger, The Baroness Neuberger DBE, Founding Trustee, Walter & Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust, U.K unveiling a stone plaque in KISS.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS speaking on the occasion

Venerable Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, Founder & Director, Ripa Intl Centre for Buddhist Study & Practice, Switzerland speaking on the occasion

Madam Albina Du Boisrouvray, Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2013 from Ms. Rabbi Julia Neuberger, The Baroness Neuberger DBE, Founding Trustee, Walter & Liesel Schwab Charitable Trust, U.K., in the presence of Venerable Gyetrul Jigme Rinpoche, Founder & Director, Ripa Intl Centre for Buddhist Study & Practice, Switzerland, Ms. Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, Bernard Van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, Smt Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT & Mr. R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS.

Ms. Lisa Jordan, Executive Director, Bernard Van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands speaking on the occasion

Categories
Humanitarian Award

Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley: KISS Humanitarian Award 2012

Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley: KISS Humanitarian Award 2012

Recipient : Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan

 

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KISS Humanitarian Award conferred on
His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan

His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan, Dr. Kee Sun Ham, Hon’ble President, Hanseo University, South Korea, Mr. Farooq Wardak, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan & Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS with students of KIIT University.

Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office receiving a memento from Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT-KISS Society.

Mr. Farooq Wardak, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan speaking on the occasion

Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office speaking on the occasion.

Ms. Silvia Escobar Moreno, Hon’ble Special Ambassador for Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Spain speaking on the occasion

His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award from Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office in the presence of Mr. Farooq Wardak, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Shri Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Hon’ble M.P., Bhubaneswar and Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

Bhutanese students of KIIT performing on the occasion

His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan receiving a memento from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS in the presence of Shri Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Hon’ble M.P., Bhubaneswar, Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT-KISS Society and Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT University.

(L) Ms. Ana Maria Nieto Centeno, Hon’ble President, Helsinki Espana, Spain, Ms. Silvia Escobar Moreno, Hon’ble Special Ambassador for Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Spain, Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS Society, Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office, His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister,The Royal Government of Bhutan, Mr. Farooq Wardak, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Shri Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Hon’ble M.P., Bhubaneswar, Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS & Mr. R. N. Dash, Secretary, KIIT & KISS at the KISS Humanitarian Award function in KISS

Students of KIIT performing on the occasion.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS speaking on the occasion.

His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan speaking on the occasion.

Mr. Farooq Wardak, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan receiving a memento from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS in the presence of Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT-KISS Society.

His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award from Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office in the presence of Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

The KISS Humanitarian Award for 2012 was conferred on His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan on 8th September 2012 in acknowledgement of his “vision for a beautiful world and concern for the humanity at large”. Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Programme Director, UN Women, South Asia Regional Office presented the award to Mr. Thinley at a glittering ceremony held at Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar.

The KISS Humanitarian Award was instituted by Dr. Achyuta Samanta, noted social activist and Founder of KISS, the largest free residential tribal institute of the world, in 2008 to honour and recognize individuals with exceptionally high contribution to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. Awardees, whose works should be in harmony with the principles of KISS, are chosen by a high-level jury.

“Concerned by the widening gap between the rich and poor and the way in which humanity is being impelled toward self destruction by insatiable greed, depleting natural resources and rising conflicts, you have moved the world to consider alternative development models. To this end, you have offered Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a holistic, sustainable and inclusive development paradigm”, said the citation. The award ceremony was graced by Mr. Ghulam Farooq Wardak, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Dr. P. K. Patasani, Hon’ble MP, Bhubaneswar and Ms. Silvia Escobar Moreno, Hon’ble Special Ambassador for Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Spain.

In his reciprocation speech, Mr. Thinley said that the honour will encourage and inspire him to continue his work for world peace and sustainable development. There so many children in the world who do not have opportunity for education and to pursue their dreams, he said, adding that individuals like Dr. Samanta provide hope in their lives. “KISS is realizing humanitarian dream of quality education for marginalized children. It has already achieved what Bhutan is still struggling to achieve”, the Prime Minister of Bhutan stated, while calling Dr. Samanta “one of the greatest humanitarian in the world today”.

Congratulating Mr. Thinley for the award, Mr. Ghulam Farooq Wardak recounted his contribution for the world peace. Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer commended Dr. Samanta for taking quality education to the margins of Indian society. Education has power to change a society and the world, said Ms. Silvia Escobar Moreno, while expressing happiness that girls constitute about 50% of students’ strength of KISS. Dr. Patasani extended welcome to the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Education Minister of Afghanistan and other dignitaries to Odisha on behalf of the Chief Minister of Odisha and people of the state.

It is a honour for KISS to present this award to a personality like Mr. Thinley, said Dr. Samanta, while welcoming the dignitaries to KISS. Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KISS delivered the presidential address. Kalinga War awakened humanitarian spirit in Emperor Ashoka and subsequently humanitarian missions were sent to countries far and wide from this land, said Prof. N. L. Mitra, Chancellor, KIIT University.

Mr. Thinley, who heads the first democratically elected Government of Bhutan, has won world appreciation for proposing GNH as an alternative development parameter and advocating its inclusion as the ninth Millennium Development Goals. Before the introduction of democracy in Bhutan in 2008, he served the previous government in various capacities, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2003 to 2004, when cabinet ministers held the post on an annual rotational basis.

KISS Humanitarian Award is being presented every year since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world. Previous recipients of the award are Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President of the Supreme Court of The United Kingdom (2011), His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, (then) President, Republic of Mauritius (2010), Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, Hon’ble President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009) and Madam Bomo Edna Molewa, (then) Premier, North West Province, Republic of South Africa (2008).

Mr. R. N. Dash, Secretary, KISS proposed the vote of thanks.

Jigmi Y. Thinley became Prime Minister (Lyonchhen) of Bhutan after leading his party, the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party or Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, to victory in Bhutan’s first ever national election in March 2008. He represents Nanong Shumar constituency in Pemagatsel, Eastern Bhutan. Before the introduction of democracy in Bhutan, he served the previous government in various capacities, including as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister from 1998 to 1999 and again from 2003 to 2004, when cabinet ministers held the post on an annual rotational basis.

Born in Bumthang, Bhutan in 1952, Thinley graduated with honors from St. Stephen’s College of Delhi University and went on to obtain a master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. He joined Bhutan Civil Service in 1974.

Currently he also serves as Chairman of his country’s Tourism Council, Dzongkha Development Commission, Gross National Happiness Commission, National Environment Commission, Royal Education Council, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute of Conservation and Environment; and Patron of National Solid Waste Management Programme.

Thinley has published many essays and papers on a wide range of topics and spoken at several conferences, meetings and seminars. He has addressed the United Nations General Assembly numerous times, spoken at regional summits and other international meetings such as the SAARC, the BIMSTEC and the Non-Aligned Movement as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bhutan. He is an International Counselor for the Asia Society, New York; Member of the International Advisory Board of the Netherlands Development Organization; and Chairman of Steering Committee for the International Expert Working Group for the new paradigm to promote well-being and happiness of all life on earth.

As a concerned leader Jigmi Y. Thinley has always advocated for Gross National Happiness (GNH) in measuring progress of any nation, instead of depending on growth in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He has always looked for happiness for every individual and continues to emphasise on the need for a holistic approach to development. He advocates for equitable and sustainable socio-economic development, judicious use of natural resources, conservation of environment, motivation for developing human relations and good governance. For the happiness of individual, he speaks about health and physical well being, educational attainment, environment resilience, cultural diversity, community vitality, emotional and psychological well being, etc.

A person with such sensibility and sensitivity could not have remained without being rewarded, for which he has received many awards and accolades like Dasho, Red Scarf, Orange Scarf titles, Druk Thuksey and Coronation medals. In 2009, His Majesty the Fifth King of Bhutan awarded Thinley the Druk Wangyel Medal – the highest civilian decoration – for excellence in carrying out his duties. That same year, Penn State presented him with the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the university confers on an outstanding alumnus. In February of this year, Thinley received the HR Strategic and Iconic Leader Award at the World HRD Congress 2010 in Mumbai, an international initiative dedicated to shaping the future of organizations through talent management and development.

It is for his towering personality and for his vision, the KISS Humanitarian Award for 2012 goes to him.

07.09.2012 : His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan addressing the students of KISS

07.09.2012 :His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan distributing fruits among patients at KISS dispensary.

07.09.2012 : His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan garlanding a statue of Lord Buddha in KISS campus.

07.09.2012 : His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan unveiling a golden plaque in his honour at KISS in the presence of Mr. Dorji Wangdi, Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Human Resources, The Royal Government of Bhutan, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS and other distinguished dignitaries from Bhutan.

07.09.2012 : His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan and other distinguished dignitaries from Bhutan receiving a warm welcome in KISS.

07.09.2012 : His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan flanked by Mr. Dorji Wangdi, Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Human Resources, The Royal Government of Bhutan, Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS, Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, other distinguished dignitaries from Bhutan & students of KISS.

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Humanitarian Award

Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips: KISS Humanitarian Award 2011

Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips: KISS Humanitarian Award 2011

Recipient : Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of U.K

 

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Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of U.K. receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2011 from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS and Smt. Saswati Bal, President, KIIT & KISS. Ms. Christylle Phillips (wife of Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips) also graced the occasion.

Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of U.K. Ms. Christylle Phillips being felicitated by Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

(L) Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS, Ms. Sujata Sen, Director (Education), British Council, East India, Mrs. Nariman (wife of Shri Fali S. Nariman), Shri Fali S. Nariman, Sr. Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Prof. J. Martin Hunter, Emeritus Professor, Nottingham Trent University, UK, Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of UK, Ms. Christylle Phillips (wife of Rt. Hon Lord Nicholas Addison Phillips), Smt. Saswati Bal, President of KIIT & KISS, Rt. Hon Lord Anthony Peter Clarke, Justice of the Supreme Court of UK and Ms. Rosemary Clarke (wife of Rt. Hon Lord Anthony Peter Clarke) at the presentation of KISS Humanitarian Award-2011 ceremony.

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Humanitarian Award

Sir Anerood Jugnauth: KISS Humanitarian Award 2010

Sir Anerood Jugnauth: KISS Humanitarian Award 2010

Recipient : Sir Anerood Jugnauth, His Excellency the President of Mauritius

 

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Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, His Excellency The President of The Republic of Mauritius receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2010 from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS. Lady Sarojni Jugnauth, Hon’ble First Lady of Mauritius also graced the occasion.

His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, President of Republic of Mauritius & Lady Sarojni Jugnauth, Hon’ble First Lady of Mauritius being felicitated by Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS at the Campus Felicitation & Award giving ceremony

His Excellency the Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, President of Republic of Mauritius & Lady Sarojni Jugnauth, Hon’ble First Lady of Mauritius being felicitated by Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS at the Campus Felicitation & Award giving ceremony held in KIIT campus on 14th November 2010.

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Humanitarian Award

Dr. Kee Sun Ham: KISS Humanitarian Award 2009

Dr. Kee Sun Ham: KISS Humanitarian Award 2009

Dr. Kee Sun Ham, President & Founder of Hanseo University, South Korea.

Recipient : Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea received the KISS Humanitarian Award 2009 from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

 

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Dr. Kee Sun Ham, President & Founder of Hanseo University, South Korea flanked by Dr. Seung Hye Han, Hon’ble Director, Hanseo University, Oriental Medical Hospital & Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS at the Campus Felicitaion & Award giving ceremony held in KIIT campus on 6th November 2009.

Dr. Kee Sun Ham, President & Founder of Hanseo University, South Korea being felicitated by Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS on the occasion. Dr. Seung Hye Han, Hon’ble Director, Hanseo University, Oriental Medical Hospital looks on.

Dr. Seung Hye Han, Hon’ble Director, Hanseo University, Oriental Medical Hospital being felicitated by Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS on the occasion. Dr. Kee Sun Ham, President & Founder of Hanseo University, South Korea looks on.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS receiving a memento from Dr. Kee Sun Ham, President & Founder of Hanseo University, South Korea. Dr. Seung Hye Han, Hon’ble Director, Hanseo University, Oriental Medical Hospital looks on.

Dr. Ham Kee-Sun, President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2009 from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

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Humanitarian Award

Edna Bomo Molewa, Cabinet Minister, (Social Devt) South Africa, National Assembly (2008)

Edna Bomo Molewa, Cabinet Minister, (Social Devt) South Africa, National Assembly (2008)

Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Cabinet Minister, (Social Devt) South Africa, National Assembly receiving the KISS Humanitarian Award 2008 from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS.

Recipient: Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Hon’ble Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa.

 

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Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Hon’ble Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa receiving a memento from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS at the Campus Felicitation & Award giving ceremony held in KIIT campus on 17th September 2008.

Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Hon’ble Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa and other cabinet colleagues interacting with a student of KISS. Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS looks on.

Ms. Edna Bomo Molewa, Hon’ble Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, South Africa receiving a memento from Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT & KISS at the Campus Felicitation & Award giving ceremony held in KIIT campus on 17th September 2008.