Dr. Hans Koechler, President of the Vienna-based International Progress Organization, an  NGO in consultative status with the United Nations, visited Roanoke City, VA, this past week to confer the Golden Honorary Medal on  Dr. Fatemah Remedios C. Balbin, former professor of the University of the Philippines, law practitioner, and Senior Commissioner of the National Amnesty Commission of the Philippines, now a resident of Roanoke.  The ceremony was held at the Roanoke Hotel on December 17, 2006.

The award was in recognition of Dr. Balbin's "lifelong efforts in the field of social justice, in promoting the rights of indigenous peoples  in  the Philippines and the just struggle of the Moro people of Mindanao, and her active and courageous contribution to the causes of national self-determination and peaceful co-existence among nations worldwide." 

In accepting the award, Dr. Balbin declared that her work will continue with the same dedication.The ceremony was attended by close friends and relatives. 

• Award Ceremony

END/International Progress Organization awards Golden Honorary Medal to Dr. Fatemah Remedios C. Balbin, Philippines/2006-12-19/P/RE/20095c-is