During the Palau International Coral Reef Center 16th Anniversary Fundraising Gala, President Remengesau was awarded the first ever “Visionary Award.” In accepting the award, President Remengesau made a few key points regarding conservation efforts in Palau.
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First, President Remengesau congratulated PICRC on its 16th anniversary and commended the Center on the excellent work being done. He recognized that the Center’s workforce is comprised of mostly Palauans, and applauded the fact that the researchers at PICRC are Palauan, who are continually encouraging young Palauans to pursue science fields.
The President also commended Ms. Lucy Sugiyama and Palau Pacific Resort for being a great model for businesses in Palau to follow. PPR has always been consistent with its capacity building programs for their staff to improve their service and the lives of the Palauan workers. Also, majority of PPR’s staff are Palauan, which is what businesses in Palau should aspire to do.
Finally, on accepting the Visionary Award, President Remengesau expresses that he will accept the award on behalf of all Palauans and as a tribute to our ancestors and traditional leaders who were the true visionaries, as they were the reason for conservation, for the BUL.
As such, the President cautions the public to listen to science because it provides the most objective results and will guide policy development and decisions in the right direction.
President Remengesau is the first and only recipient of the “Visionary Award.” Next year, PICRC will start a new award, in honor of the President named “The President Remengesau Environmental Award”. This will be presented to the individual who has shown and taken immense steps and actions towards conservation and protection of our environment. [/restrict]