Ramon Magsaysay Awardees 2021

The Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize, and highest honor celebrates the greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in Asia. The Ramon Magsaysay Awardees 2021 are:

Saqib, Muhammad Amjad(Pakistan)

A visionary who founded one of the largest microfinance institutions in Pakistan, servicing millions of families.

In electing MUHAMMAD AMJAD SAQIB to receive the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes the intelligence and compassion that enabled him to create the largest microfinance institution in Pakistan; his inspiring belief that human goodness and solidarity will find ways to eradicate poverty; and his determination to stay with a mission that has already helped millions of Pakistani families.

Qadri, Firdausi(Bangladesh)

A Bangladeshi scientist who has been instrumental in discovering vaccines that have saved millions of lives.

In electing FIRDAUSI QADRI to receive the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes her passion and life-long devotion to the scientific profession; her vision of building the human and physical infrastructure that will benefit the coming generation of Bangladeshiscientists, women scientists in particular, and her untiring contributions to vaccine development, advanced biotechnological therapeutics and critical research that has been saving millions of precious lives.

Muncy, Steven (Southeast Asia)

A humanitarian who has been helping the displaced refugees of Southeast Asia rebuild their lives.

In electing STEVEN MUNCY to receive the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes his unshakable belief in the goodness of man that inspires in others the desire to serve; his lifelong dedication to humanitarian work, refugee assistance, and peacebuilding; and his unstinting pursuit of dignity, peace, and harmony for people in exceptionally difficult circumstances in Asia.

Watchdoc Media Mandiri(Indonesia)

A production house that ingeniously combines documentary filmmaking and alternative platforms to highlight underreported issues in Indonesia.

In electing WATCHDOC MEDIA MANDIRI to receive the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, the board of trustees recognizes its highly principled crusade for an independent media organization, its energetic use of investigative journalism, documentary filmmaking, and digital technology in its effort to transform Indonesia's media landscape, and its commitment to a vision of the people themselves as makers of media and shapers of their own world.

Ballon, Roberto(Philippines)

A fisherman from Southern Philippines who has led a community in restoring their rich aquatic resources and their primary source of livelihood.

In electing ROBERTO BALLON to receive the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the board of trustees recognizes his inspiring determination in leading his fellow fisherfolk to revive a dying fishing industry by creating a sustainable marine environment for this generation and generations to come, and his shining example of how everyday acts of heroism can truly be extraordinary and transformative.