Ramon Magsaysay award

Ramon Magsaysay Award is awarded to individuals and organizations in Asia. Conceived by John D. Rockefeller III, the award was created to commemorate the Philippines' President Ramon Magsaysay and to perpetuate his example of integrity in government and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. In May 1957, seven prominent Filipinos were named the founding board of trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), the non-profit corporation tasked with implementing the awards program.

The 2003 awardees include:

• James Michael Lyngdoh (India) for Government Service. (strengthening the foundations of Democracy)
• Dr. Gao Yajolie (China) for Public Service. (addressing human face of HIV/AIDS)
• Shantha Sinha (India) for Community Leadership. (ending the scourge of child labour)
• Sheila Coronel (Philippines) for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts. (Building the informed citizenery)
• Dr.Tetsu Nakamura (Japan) for Peace and International Understanding. (easing the pain of war and disease)
• Seiei Toyoma (Japan) for Peace and International Understanding. (for greening the deserts)
• Aniceto Guterres Lopes (East Timor) for Emergent Leadership. (standing for freedom and the rule of law)