AIDFI bags 3rd ASEAN Leadership Award on Rural Development and Poverty Education

The Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (AIDFI) wins the 3rd ASEAN Leadership Award on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication, in conjunction with the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) which was held last October 6 in Kuala Lumpur.

AIDFI was among 19 other recipients from 10 ASEAN countries, whose awards were presented by Malaysian Rural and Regional Development Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. AIDFI was chosen in the non-governmental organizations (NGO) sector while Coffee for Peace based in Davao was chosen in the private sector. Each country had an NGO and Private Sector winner.

The ceremony held in the JW Marriot Hotel in Kuala Lumpur was also attended by National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Lead Convenor Liza L. Maza, NAPC Director Sem H. Cordial and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. Charles C. Jose.

Ismail Sabri said the objective of award was to recognize the contributions and roles of NGOs and private sectors in rural community development and poverty eradication.

He said the award would encourage NGOs and the private sector to continue and strengthen their work and contributions to rural community development in their respective countries especially to the ASEAN Community building.

In line with the 3rd Leadership Award, NAPC of the Philippines had opened a competition for NGO’s and private sector for selection of the Philippine winners. The criteria were that the NGO should have work or worked, besides Philippines, in other ASEAN countries. AIDFI had activities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. AIDFI was shortlisted and a community which had received a ram pump system for drinking water was visited by the jury.

AIDFI was represented by two of its Board of Trustees: Auke Idzenga and Jose Moven Ligahon.