The KISS Humanitarian Award, which this year was presented to Switzerland-based Albina du Boisrouvray on February 26, was instituted by the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar in 2008 to honour and recognise individuals with exceptionally high contributions to the society in various fields relating to social issues and who have distinguished themselves as true humanitarians. An award recipient’s works are in harmony with the principles of the KISS. The recipient is chosen by a high-level jury.
The annual award is being presented at the KISS since its inception to great compassionate leaders of vision and concern for human values from different parts of the world.
Madam Albina du Boisrouvray is the Founder, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB International), Switzerland. She was chosen by the jury for her contribution towards reducing poverty and for child rights in India. One needs the vision, the courage and the conviction like her to think for the forgotten issues of forgotten people in forgotten places. As a visionary, she could strongly believe that investing in children is investing in world peace and security. She had the courage to turn her private pain and wealth into loving care for the millions of orphans and vulnerable children across the world. leaving a successful career in films and media and braving the pain caused by the accidental demise of her only child, she has devoted all her energy, creativity, solid experience and credibility as an entrepreneur to humanitarian causes as well as to social development and research on numerous projects worldwide.
The establishment of the Association François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB international) and developing the strategy to link health with human rights speak volumes about her concern and contribution to the society. She founded the FXB International in memory of her son to pursue in field of development and to perpetuate the value of generosity and compassion that guided François-Xavier’s life, focusing on AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. The mission of the organisation is to fight poverty and AIDS and to support vulnerable children all over the world. Today, the organisation leads over 100 programmes in Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe.
For her work, she has received numerous awards including Chevalier de la légion d’Honneur, North-South Prize from the Council of Europe, lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th International Conference on AIDS in India, Thai Komol Khemthong Foundation Award of Outstanding Personality for the year 2004, insignia of Officer in l’Ordre National du Mérite and Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des lettres. These along with John Harvard Fellow and the Doctor of Humane letters Degree from Univesity of Michigan and many other accolades and honours stand testimony to her dedication, courage, conviction as an outstanding human being and a caring mother.
It is a great honour for the KISS to confer the award on a personality like Madam Boisrouvray. She is the sixth KISS Humanitarian laureate. Previous recipients of the prestigious award are His Excellency lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley, Hon’ble Prime Minister, The Royal Government of Bhutan (2012); Rt Hon lord Nicholas Addison Phillips, President (Chief Justice) of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2011); Rt Hon Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Eminent Social Worker and His Excellency the President of Mauritius (2010); Dr Ham Kee-Sun, eminent educationist and physician and President & Founder, Hanseo University, South Korea (2009); Ms Edna Bomo Molewa, noted social worker and Cabinet Minister, Social Development, South Africa National Assembly, South Africa (2008).
(Dr Samanta is Founder, KIIT & KISS)