First Lady Debbie Remengesau Receives the Crans Montana Forum’s 2018 Prix de la Fondation Award
For Immediate Release
Serial No. PR-18-110
April 12, 2018
Office of the President
First Lady Debbie Remengesau Receives the Crans Montana Forum’s 2018 Prix de la Fondation Award
First Lady Debbie Remengesau has become the first, Pacific-region First Lady, to receive the Crans Montana Forum’s Prix de la Fondation Award in recognition of her invaluable contributions and leadership in conservation and ocean stewardship for the future of Palau’s children, through the Palau Legacy Project and the Palau Pledge Campaign. The award was presented to the First Lady by American Civil Rights Activist, Reverend Jesse Jackson, during the Crans Montana Forum on March 17, 2018 at the Dakhla Congress Center in Morocco.
First Lady Remengesau humbly accepted the award on behalf of Palauan women and women everywhere. “I am deeply honored to have received this prestigious award from the Crans Montana Forum recognizing the value of the Palau Pledge Project and what it represents for our children’s future”, said the First Lady following the award ceremony. “It also represents the strong influence Palauan women have in our society and how they can effect real change – not only for our future, but for the future of the entire planet.”
The Prix de la Fondation Award was established in 1990 with the ambition of recognizing the work of men and women of eminent merit that have common goals and shared values toward creating a better world. All sectors of social responsibility have been recognized over the years including government, private sector, NGO and social leaders.
From March 15 to 20th, First Lady Remengesau participated in the Crans Montana Forum as an official guest of King Mohammed VI and the Kingdom of Morocco. She delivered her keynote address at the annual African Women’s Forum session on “Women’s Empowerment in Economic and Political Frameworks”.
Speaking as a mother, grandmother and homemaker, First Lady Remengesau highlighted the critical role Palauan women play in our society and how much their contributions have influenced Palau’s history. She further called upon women everywhere to take action, stating: “As women, as the mothers and grandmothers of this world, we have tremendous power to effect real change in our communities and our countries. Together we are strong. So I encourage you today to be inspired by the women of Palau, who unite in times of crisis to take a stand for what’s right and lead their community. We owe it to our children, and our children’s children, to take the lead when it comes to saving their future. I hope you can join me on this journey and together, we will restore their birthright.”
The First Lady’s speech was widely applauded by Forum delegates and the international media in attendance who praised Palauan culture as a strong example of women’s empowerment that the rest of the world could follow.
Expanding the Palau Pledge Campaign’s reach and further raising awareness on the importance of our oceans, First Lady Remengesau and Palau Legacy Project co-founder Laura Clarke introduced the Republic of Palau and presented the Palau Pledge Project to over 100 participants during a special session on “Climate Change in the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)” held on March 19.
The Republic of Palau’s representation at the Crans Montana Forum highlighted challenges facing Palauans and Pacific islanders in the ever changing climate. On behalf of the women, children and people of Palau, First Lady Remengesau conveyed her hope for stronger partnerships between organizations, individuals and governments in working together to create a sustainable world for all.
Notes:
- First Lady Debbie Remengesau’s keynote address can be accessed online in full at the following link: https://www.palaugov.pw/remarks-by-first-lady-debbie-remengesau-2018-crans-montana-forum-in-morocco/
- The Crans Montana Forum is a Swiss non-governmental international organization founded by the late Jean-Pascal Delamuraz, President of the Swiss Confederation, Ambassador Jean-Paul Carteron and HSH Prince Anton von und zu Liechtensein. The organization focuses discussions and efforts towards a more human world by encouraging international cooperation and overall growth.
- Further information about the Crans Montant Forum and the Prix de la Fondation Award can be found at: http://www.cmf.ch
- The Palau Legacy Project is chaired by First Lady Debbie Remengesau and was founded in 2015 by: Laura Clarke, Nicolle Fagan, Jennifer Koskelin-Gibbons and Nanae Singeo – a group of volunteers (Palauans and visitors) who live in Palau and were concerned about the impact of tourism on Palau’s natural environment. More information about the Palau Pledge can be found at: http://www.palaupledge.com
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