2008 Associate Laureates honoured

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Five pioneering individuals have been recognized at prize-giving ceremonies for their groundbreaking projects that are helping to conserve the earth, cultural heritage and endangered species.

Inventor Alexis Belonio, from the Philippines, underwater archaeologist Arturo González and ecologist Rodrigo Medellín, both from Mexico, and cultural activist Moji Riba and conservationist Romulus Whitaker, both from India, have all been singled out by Rolex for their projects that present innovative solutions to major challenges in diverse areas. Chosen by the independent Rolex Awards jury from nearly 1,500 candidates from 127 countries, each of these exceptional individuals was presented, at ceremonies in Mexico City, New Delhi and Manila, with a specially inscribed steel-and-gold Rolex chronometer and US$50,000 to support their unique projects.

The three events were held two months after the official ceremony to honour the five Laureates of the 13th Rolex Awards, which took place on 19 November 2008 in Dubai.

Mexico City

At the first event, on 15 January 2009, Rafael Rolli, managing director of Rolex Mexico, welcomed guests gathered at the W Hotel in Mexico City to pay tribute to the two Mexican Associate Laureates. Rolli praised Mexican creativity, as exemplified by the two winning projects. Mary O’Mahony, representing the Awards Secretariat in Geneva, pointed out that over the past three decades nearly 600 Mexicans had applied to the philanthropic programme.

©Rolex Awards – Rodrigo Medellín giving his acceptance speech

The two 2008 winners, Arturo González and Rodrigo Medellín, were following in the footsteps of two previous Rolex Award winners from the country, one of whom, 1981 Laureate Eduardo Llerenas, was in the audience.

Accepting his prize, Rodrigo Medellín, an expert on bats and the pivotal role they play in ecology, expressed his admiration for his co-winners worldwide. He said he felt that he was “standing on the shoulders of giants” and was proud of becoming part of this “extraordinary family”.

©Rolex Awards – Rodrigo Medellín (left) and Arturo González (right)

Arturo González, a scientist studying the treasures of the submerged caves of the Yucatán Peninsula, told the gathering that the Award funding and recognition were important to him, but perhaps the greatest symbol of his achievement was the Rolex chronometer he received. In an emotional speech, he revealed how the new watch was replacing one he had been given by his father long ago and had worn with pride for years. He explained that his work unearthing the secrets of the past was about time – a perfect match with Rolex.

New Delhi

On 22 January, New Delhi’s Taj Mahal Hotel was the setting for the celebration of two Indian Associate Laureates, the third consecutive series in which an Indian has won a Rolex Award. Host of the evening, Yogesh Shah, CEO and managing director of the Rolex Watch Company India,said that the two Award recipients represented the new, resurgent India where the spirit of enterprise was increasingly prevalent.

Shah introduced Dr Vikram Akula, a member of the 2008 Selection Committee and founder and CEO of Hyderabad-based SKS Microfinance. The guests also included Chanda Shroff, a 2006 Laureate. Akula, who was joined on the podium by Barbara Geary from the Awards Secretariat, introduced short films on the two winners and presented them with their prizes for preserving India’s cultural and natural heritage.

Film-maker Moji Riba, recognized for his project to preserve the diverse, ancient tribal cultures of his native Arunachal Pradesh, likened his prize to film-making’s greatest achievement: “This Award is the equivalent of an Oscar for the anthropological work that we have been doing,” he said.

©Rolex Awards – Dr. Vikram Akula, 2008 Jury member (left) and Romulus Whitaker (right)

For renowned herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, the opportunity the Award provides to create a nationwide rainforest research network is a dream come true: “I’ve worked in the rainforests for 30 years, but was not able to organize all that is required to get the research stations up and running,” he acknowledged.

Manila

Alexis Belonio, associate professor of agricultural engineering, is the first Filipino to win a Rolex Award. The presentation of his prize took place on 21 January at the Peninsula Hotel.

Philippine broadcast journalist and producer David Celdran officiated at the event. Guests included Peter Sutter, Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines; Daniel Neidhart, managing director of Rolex Hong Kong; and John de Luna, manager of Rolex Philippines.

Following a film on Belonio’s project and the award presentation by Neidhart, the Philippine Department of Agriculture Secretary, Arthur Yap, described the Associate Laureate’s invention as “a lifeline to so many struggling rural families. His invention is especially valuable because their savings on fuel can be used to buy fertilizer to improve crop yield and thereby increase their income.”

In response, Belonio remarked: “It’s been quite a journey – from simply believing it was possible to create the first stove on my own, to refining the design and making it accessible to thousands of families, and now to receiving this award.

With this recognition from Rolex, I’m hoping to run this project on a bigger scale and to expand it to other places in Asia and around the world.”

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“

This Award is the equivalent of an Oscar for the work that we have been doing.”

2008 Associate Laureates honoured

Mexico City

New Delhi

Manila

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