The 1987 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding

First of all I should like to pay homage to the memory of theory of the late President Magsaysay, whose 80th birth anniversary we celebrate to celebrate today. When I worked in the Philippines in 1964 on a SEATO Research Fellowship on plant-parasitic nematodes, or roundworms, I recall the great affection and respect in which he was held by all. Therefore I salute him and his dedication to freedom and human rights as I receive with give with great gratitude this Award which is named in his honor.

In the Code of Procedure for the Award it says that the Award is ordinarily given for one's past five years' activities. Yet the citation for my Award states: "for 35 years of sustained commitment of mind and heart to helping Bangladeshis build up their nation." I am happy that this exception has been made for me. I have probably had more careers than any previous Magsaysay Awardee—in college and university teaching; in administrative work in Notre Dame College, Caritas Bangladesh and my own religious community; in scientific research; recently in human rights activities. None of these alone would merit any award, but none of them should be considered in isolation from the others. For they all belong to one continuous role as educator. Half my working life I was an educator in institutions—an ivory tower scholar, I am reluctant to admit. But it is never too late for conversion and it was the poor the poor and the powerless, the voiceless ones, who converted me and forced me to become a practical educator.

The country I call my home Bangladesh—is known as "golden Bengal." These are the words of our national anthem. Both the words and music were composed by that giant of Bengali literature and song, Rabindranath Tagore. In the waning monsoon months the "gob the "golden fiber"—jute—is everywhere seen throughout the land. In the cooler days of winter the golden sun bathes the countryside in its warm glow, and rice end vegetables spring from the soil. Bangladesh is not only amar sonar Bangla (My golden Bengal) but amar shobuj Bangla (my green Bengal) . In every season of the year its verdant fields and forests are vests are alive with growth.

Yet there is want and misery and the distress of frequent natural calamities. It was not always so. In the beginning the Lord said: "Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living animals on the earth. See, I give you all the seed-bearing plants that are upon the whole earth, and all the trees with seed-bearing fruit; this shall be your food." (Gen. 1:28-29) The plethora of food from the fields no longer

reaches all the mouths that are hungry. As human greed expanded and world resources contracted, a fierce competition among rivals has too often replaced sharing and international understanding between brothers and sisters.

I accept this Award in the name of the youth and the poor and powerless of Bangladesh, the people whose lives have been touched by my efforts of the past 35 years. We cannot really share the life of the poorest of the poor. We would be dead in a week if we tried to live under the same wretched conditions. But I have tried to analyze and expose some of the reasons for their degrading poverty. It is for that reason that I have concentrated in recent years on human rights activities. If the people can be organized to understand and defend their basic rights, they can also learn to make the decisions that influence their destinies. Thus, human rights and participatory development go hand-in-hand.

I thank the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation for the honor they have conferred on me. My best wishes and blessings to all of you who share with us in our joy this day.