Columban missionary and founder of PREDA foundation, Irish priest Fr. Shay Cullen will be feted with a humanitarian award and a donation of 100,000 Euros for championing the rights of women and children, at the 2009 Meteor Ireland Music Awards in Dublin, on March 17.
The Columban missionary from Dublin has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize and other human rights awards for his advocacies.
He has been working in the Philippines since 1969, promoting human rights and uplifting the conditions of women and children who have fallen victims to all forms of human trafficking.
Cullen established PREDA (People’s Recovery, Empowerment Development Assistance) foundation in 1974 in Olongapo City to help victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking recover and find another chance to a better life.
The priest has initiated various projects aimed at restoring the individual’s self-respect and integrity. He started several income generating projects that help the poor live their life with dignity. Children who have been rehabilitated are sent back to school to continue their education
A vocal and indefatigable human rights activist, Cullen campaigned for the removal of the US bases when he discovered a prostitution ring selling children to US Naval base personnel in Subic.
He pushed for the conversion of the infrastructure into a commercial manufacturing zone.
The converted US bases in Subic and Clark now employs thousands of Filipinos in various capacities.
His human rights advocacy has also brought him to testify before the US Congress and the Philippine Senate.
A well-known speaker and prolific writer, Cullen has acted as facilitator at various international conferences and written numerous articles for print and online. His first book, an autobiography titled “Passion and Power” was recently launched in Ireland.
Other international personalities who have been recipients of the Humanitarian Award and donations include Mary Donohue (Rose Project Founder), Sir Elton John, Christina Noble, Bono, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy and Adi Roche, Fr. Peter Mc Verry and Paul Brady.
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