Foundation’s website brings good news

Screengrab from www.rmaward.asia

INSPIRATION in a click.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) has revamped its website to make available to the public a treasure trove of moving stories and information offering “tried and tested” alternative solutions to problems plaguing society.

The new site, www.rmaward.asia, features the two major programs of the foundation—the Ramon Magsaysay Awards and the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute (RMTLI), which both highlight the stories and achievements of the more than 300 RM laureates.

“This is so important today given that we are bombarded by news that primarily dwell on the negative. We really need good news and there are many good news. There are many good people in this world,” RMAF trustee Edgar Chua said at the website’s launch on Wednesday.

He also said the website would make for a pleasant read when stuck in very bad traffic, particularly in Metro Manila’s clogged thoroughfares.

The launch of the new website coincided with the announcement of this year’s six RM awardees, who include Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales of the Philippines and five others from India, Japan and Laos.

The RM awards section of the foundation’s online portal shows the complete list of the awardees and a rundown of each of their accomplishments, citations for their selection and acceptance speeches they delivered during the formal ceremonies.

Named after the late President Ramon Magsaysay who died in a plane crash in 1957, the awards have recognized a total of 318 individuals and organizations from various parts of Asia since 1958.

Concrete solutions

Elaborated in the RMTLI section are the awardees’ works providing concrete solutions to some of Asia’s most difficult problems.

These are grouped into six categories: inclusive education and cultural development; sustainable environment and food security; social enterprise and rural development; universal and affordable healthcare; ethical governance and engaged citizenry; and social justice and peace building.

The section also features lecture papers, photo essays, podcasts of the awardees’ public lectures and short videos, including that of the work of the late RM awardee Jesse Robredo in Naga City as its three-time mayor.

“Videos like this will give audience a visual treat of our awardees’ inspiring solutions,” Chua said.

To make the website fresh and to draw more people into the online portal, the foundation will upload new content on a weekly basis.

“We envision our new site as an online oasis filled with stories of hope and inspiration, stories of our RM awardees, which are tested and successful solutions that have transformed their respective societies … To put it simply, it is inspiration in a click,” Chua said.