Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki among recipients of 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awards
Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki became one of the five recipients of this year's Ramon Magsaysay Awards.
The award-giving body recognized Miyazaki with the honor for "partnerships for the goals" on Saturday, Aug. 31.
"Over the last 40 years, modern animated classics like My Neighbor Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away have teased our minds and enchanted our imaginations. Behind these masterpieces is 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Miyazaki Hayao, founder of Japan's Studio Ghibli," it stated.
"Long hailed as a visionary and master of the arts, perhaps what gets lost in the unprecedented praise is Miyazaki's humanity. With every stroke of his pen, whether to draw his characters or to write their words, we feel the passion that drives Miyazaki's heart and that permeates the greatness of his spirit," it added.
The Ramon Magsaysay Awards highlighted how Studio Ghibli films "touch on complicated subjects such as environmental destruction, the horrors of war and conflict, and fear of the unknown, yet handled with such nuance and care that they have redefined our concepts of pacifism, environmentalism, and self-empowerment."
They further praised the renowned filmmaker for teaching his audience "through the magic of animation to dream of peace and better societies, and to view the world with wonder and awe."
Born in Tokyo, Japan in 1941, Miyazaki developed a passion for manga and animation at an early age. He joined Toei Animation in 1963. It wasn't until 1985 that he co-founded Studio Ghibli and proceeded to direct numerous films under the animation company, which were then met with critical and commercial success in Japan.
His latest work is The Boy and the Heron, which was released in 2023. It follows a boy named Mahito Maki who discovers an abandoned tower near his new home in the countryside and enters a fantastical world with a talking grey heron.
Here are the other recipients of the 2024 Ramon Magsaysay Awards:
Karma Phuntsho
Bhutanese thought leader Karma Phuntsho was recognized for his "decent work, economic growth, and quality education."
He founded the Loden Foundation in 1999, an educational charity "committed to promoting education, nurturing social entrepreneurship, and documenting Bhutan’s cultural heritage and traditions."
Through this, Phuntsho has been able to fund 295 entrepreneurs (including 97 women), create 860 jobs, and train 5,750 aspiring entrepreneurs since 2008.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong
Vietnamese doctor Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong was honored for "good health and well-being and peace, justice, and strong institutions."
After witnessing severe birth defects in newborns, Phuong made it her goal to uncover the truth about Agent Orange (a mixture of herbicides used during the Vietnam War), seek justice for its victims, and aid the afflicted through her research and work.
Farwiza Farhan
Indonesian activist Farwiza Farhan was awarded for "life on land, climate action, and gender equality."
Farhan founded HAkA after witnessing the devastation of the Leuser Ecosystem, which is home to highly endangered species, due to severe threats from deforestation, infrastructure, and weak law enforcement.
She has since been empowering local communities, especially women, to protect the ecosystem through advocacy, forest monitoring, and community engagement.
Rural Doctors Movement
Thai organization Rural Doctors Movement (RDM) was recognized for "good health and well-being, peace, justice and strong institutions, partnerships for the goals, and reduced inequalities."
Consisting of the Rural Doctor Society and the Rural Doctor Foundation, RDM became a unified force of Thai doctors advocating for healthcare in rural areas.
The Ramon Magsaysay Awards recognizes persons and organizations in Asia that "exemplify transformative leadership and greatness of spirit." It was established in 1958.