Fr Shay Cullen, who works for human rights in the Philippines, is being honoured with the Humanitarian Award at the 2009 Meteor Ireland Music Awards.He received a donation of €100,000 at the awards which were held at RDS, Dublin, St Patrick’s Day 17th March.
Fr. Cullen is from Dublin and a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban and has worked tirelessly in protecting women and children and human rights in the Philippines since 1969.
He established Preda Foundation in Olongapo City in the Philippines in 1974 to promote human rights, justice and peace. He works in particular to eliminate child abuse and promote respect for children's rights.
This involves attempting to change unjust economic, political and social structures and attitudes that allow such abuse.
It also involves projects which educate for peace, and free children from brothels and jails and give them a chance to recover in therapeutic homes and be reintegrated to have a happier life free from violence and abuse.
When he uncovered a child prostitution ring selling children to personnel at the US Naval base, Subic Bay, he initiated a successful campaign to remove the bases and convert the infrastructure into a commercial manufacturing zone. As many as a hundred thousand Filipinos now work at the converted U.S. bases in Clark and Subic.
He began Fair Trade in 1975, a poverty alleviation, manufacturing and export project that lifts the poor to a life of dignity. He oversees twelve major projects at the Foundation including environmental protection and tree planting. With a present professional staff of 83, the projects are expanding.
He has received several human rights awards and has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize and other human rights awards.
He has testified before the US Congress, The Philippine Senate and is a well known speaker and facilitator at numerous other international conferences.
Along with being the author of Passion and Power an autobiography, he writes a weekly column in The Manila Times which is published in other newspapers and on-line.
He also writes poetry, songs and is a media commentator on the issues of trafficking of women and children and human rights violations.
Previous recipients of the Meteor Humanitarian Award are Mary Donohue (Rose Project Founder), Sir Elton John, Christina Noble, Bono, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy and Adi Roche, Father Peter Mc Verry and Paul Brady.
The Meteor Awards will be presented by Amanda Byram and feature performances from Stereophonics, Enrique Iglesias, Boyzone, James Morrison, Elbow, Sharon Shannon with Mundy, Duke Special, The Blizzards and Imelda May.
For Further Information on Fr Shay, see www.preda.net.
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(Source: CIN)