“Your vision of the future inspires us all to be better and to do better to change our world.” - Frances Hesselbein, Former CEO of Girl Scouts of America and President of Leader to Leader Institute
"We support BPSOS’s efforts to develop leaders who are dedicated to helping their communities at home and the disadvantaged in Vietnam." - East Meets West Foundation
“From disaster relief efforts in the Gulf Coast to leadership development at the national level, BPSOS is making a positive and long-lasting impact on our community." - Kim Delevett, Southwest Airlines
Photo credit: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
BPSOS has received the 6th Annual Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. At the awards ceremony on 10 December 2011 in Taipei, BPSOS Executive Director Dr. Thang D. Nguyen accepted, on behalf of BPSOS, a trophy from Republic of China President Ma Ying-jeou and a cash prize of US$100,000 from Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, who also serves as chairman of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
BPSOS received this award in recognition of it's intensive efforts to combat labor exploitation and trafficking, both in Taiwan itself and in East Asia generally, as well as assisting the resettlement of asylees and promoting the development of democracy and respect for human rights.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Thang noted, "We are humbled for being selected by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy for the 2011 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award. This humility reflects our recognition that our achievements of the past 32 years have depended on the contributions and sacrifices of so many others, including organizations, individuals and champions."
Dr. Thang further stated, "I believe that forever expanding democracy is the only effective strategy to eventually eliminate modern-day slavery and other forms of human rights abuses and social injustice."
For more information, please refer to coverage in the Taipei Times, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and the text of Dr. Thang's acceptance speech.