Research News

DFID, in partnership with Marie Stopes International (MSI) and the Guardian, has unveiled the five finalists of a new prestigious award for services to international development. The Guardian Achievements in International Development Award rewards the unsung heroes of development, individuals who have made a profound contribution to the fight against global poverty.

The judges are professionals with wide experience in international development, including DFID's own Ellen Wratten. Ellen is Director of Policy and Head of Profession for Social Development, and a senior advisor to the European Commission. She has 25 years experience as a development practitioner and academic through her work in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East.

The judges had a difficult task narrowing down the 95 entries to five finalists. Their outstanding contribution to development is indicative of the high-quality work and sacrifice people make to help others.

The finalists include:

(1) Javed Abidi , founder of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) in India;
(2) Mauricio Agostinho Camuto, director of Radio Ecclesia, Angola’s only independent radio station;
(3) Maggy Barankitse, founder of Maison Shalom, a home for children orphaned by conflict and HIV/Aids in the small town of Ruyigi, Burundi;
(4) Chea Mony, president of the Free Trade Union (FTU) in Cambodia; and
(5) Fred Sai, Ghana's special adviser on reproductive health and HIV/Aids, and a lifelong advocate for the rights and needs of women.

The final voting stage is open until 30 September, 2009. Read the finalists' stories and vote for one of them.

This year's winner will be a special guest at a ceremony in London on 19 November where their work will be honoured by the judges and a high-profile invited audience. The winner's achievements will also be highlighted through a range of dedicated articles in the Guardian newspaper and online.

At the same award ceremony the prize for the Guardian Development Journalist 2009 will also be awarded. This award, now in its second year, has proved a massive success. DFID and the Guardian hope that the Achievement Award will have the same effect and raise the profile of international development issues.

The R4D team would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all finalists, and we hope your achievements get the attention they deserve over the coming months. Your work is a real inspiration to both experienced development professionals and newcomers to the development field.