The 1986 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding

In the name, and on behalf, of all my fellow-workers at the INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RURAL RECONSTRUCTION—and as representative of the countless and nameless rural workers laboring in far-flung villages—I accept this great honor.

In keeping with the institutional nature of the Award, I have with me tonight representatives from every level of our organization.

To begin with, it is not every day that an agency can present its founding father of 63 years ago, himself a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, Dr. Y.C. James Yen.

By a stroke of happy coincidence we have visiting with us from the United States, a member of the IIRR board and president of Schott and Associates, consultants in international development, John Schott. We have also two of our vice presidents—Vice President for United States Operations Robert O'Brien, and Vice President for Philippine Operations Antonio de Jesus. Representing the IIRR Senior Staff are Conrado Navarro, Director of Field Operations and Assistant to the President, and Terri Bumanglag, Director of our International Training Division.

Representing IIRR's six affiliated national rural reconstruction movements—in Asia (India, Philippines, Thailand), in Latin America (Colombia, Guatemala), in Africa (Ghana)—is Saran Kumar of the lndian Rural Reconstruction Movement.

Representing the middle level staff of the INSTITUTE are Lorna Labayen of the Cavite social laboratory, Lito Pastores of the Bicol social laboratory, and Ed Macapal of our Negros operations. Representing the rural reconstruction workers and community facilitators are Bartolome Facun and Lerma Dino. Representing the support services are Rosie Legaspi of the Manila office, Empeon Mallari of the canteen services, and Lily Espineli of the clerical pool.

Representing the barrio farmers are Aling Oyang Tercero of Barrio Tibig, Mang Gorio Reyes of Barrio Pasong Kawayan II, and Juanito Llorente of Barrio Buenavista.

Last but not least, representing IIRR wives and families is my wife, Susan Flavier.

May I request all those from IIRR to stand and remain standing to receive the recognition and thanks of all of us.

In turn we of the INSTITUTE pledge to keep faith with the greatness of spirit, integrity, and devotion to duty of our late, beloved president, Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay.