RECIPIENT

Descript-xion

Germany

Germany donates US$2.4 million to the UN Food and Agricultural Organization to help certify organic farmers in West African countries.

Ozzy Osbourne

British singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne finds that he has no cash to help a homeless person in California, USA, and promptly gives the man his gold cross necklace valued at US$4,600. 

President Dmitry Medvedev, Russia

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev orders the closing of the country’s last weapon-grade plutonium reactor.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reaffirms Iran’s support for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

President Barack Obama, USA

US President Barack Obama hosts leaders from 47 nations to make steps toward the shared vision of a nuclear-free globe.

Tanzania

Tanzania naturalizes 162,000 previously displaced Burundi people.

Ecuador and the United Nations

Ecuador partners with the UN to provide identity documents to more than 27,000 Colombian refugees so they can receive necessary assistance and legal protection.

Assam, India

Assam becomes the first state in India to pass a law ensuring basic healthcare for all citizens.

South African residents

Following an amnesty declared by the South African government, residents voluntarily surrender over 30,000 guns. 

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper reaffirms Canada’s plans to withdraw its 2,800 troops from Afghanistan by next year and only participate in civilian-based missions.

President Gurbanguly Berdymukamedov and the central government, Turkmenistan

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukamedov and the central government start an anti-drug campaign to protect youths, while calling for citizens to join in efforts to eliminate illegal drugs and their harms.

President Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko offers aid to his Kyrgyz counterpart Kurmanbek Bakiyev, asking which humanitarian items are most needed so that a shipment could be arranged.

Lebanese and Palestinian organizations

The historical Khan al-Ifranj site in Lebanon hosts an anti-smoking festival, where Lebanese and Palestinian participants demonstrate the harms of cigarettes and encourage smokers to quit.

The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic announces plans to increase cultural relations with Formosa (Taiwan), including support for island residents to be granted visa-free travel within the European Schengen zone. 

Mexico

Mexican Secretary of Health Jose Angel Cordova explains that Mexico’s rapid response to swine flu helped prevent a potentially worse tragedy and loss of life. 

Mexican legislators pass a bill helps protect children from obesity by promoting better food choices and exercise in the country’s primary and secondary schools.

Mexico inaugurates a bike-sharing program, providing an initial 1,100 bicycles at 85 stations in four districts across Mexico City. 

The United Nations

The United Nations promotes an initiative to help Asia-Pacific nations convert discarded items into income.

Her Highness Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Kuwait

Her Highness Sheikha Fariha Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of Kuwait, Chairperson of the Kuwaiti Higher Committee for the Ideal Mother Award, goes to a regional orphanage where she offers gifts and visits with the children there.

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, Palestine

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad runs a 5-kilometer race along with 500 youths to raise funds for the specialized children’s wing of the Palestinian Medical Compound.

Maryland’s legislators, USA

Legislators from across the US State of Maryland join efforts for a Vegetarian Week to promote the health and eco-benefits of the plant-based diet. 

British researchers from Oxford and Liverpool Universities, United Kingdom

British researchers from Oxford and Liverpool Universities report that the minor daily food adjustments of adding a fruit or vegetable, choosing more unsaturated than saturated fats and reducing salt could be lifesaving over time.

New Zealand

New Zealand health officials advise a recall of “The Happy Baby Cookbook,” to protect expectant mothers and their babies from the risk of seafood- and egg-containing recipes with potentially fatal Listeria and Salmonella contamination.

China’s National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation

China's state-owned leading food processor, the National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation, pledges full support for the "Low Carbon Family, Modern Lifestyle" campaign, including promotion of the plant-based diet to benefit health and the planet.

Bob Moore and partners of Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, Oregon, USA

Founder Bob Moore and partners of Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods initiate an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to gift the company to its employees. 

Imtiaz Sooliman, Reverend Jesse Jackson, and others

Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, who led South Africa’s medical relief efforts in Haiti, and American civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, among others, are recognized by University of KwaZulu-Natal for their exemplary services to humanity. 

Maritess Mendoza, the Philippines

Ms. Maritess Mendoza, a traveling teacher in the Philippines Alternative Learning System, brings education to students in nine different villages.

Julien Duret and David Anderson

French national Julien Duret and American dad David Anderson dive 25 feet into chilly waters to rescue two-year-old Bridget Sheridan who had fallen from a ship’s deck.

Anonymous passerby, Washington, USA

An anonymous passerby rescues a man from inside a burning recreational vehicle to receive lifesaving medical care in Washington, USA.

Dillon Earl, Colorado, USA

Eight-year-old Dillon Earl takes the wheel after his grandmother Ms. Lisa DeKruger has a seizure while driving and is able to safely bring the truck to a stop at the side of the road. 

Rodre Jackson, Oklahoma, USA

Seventh grader Rodre Jackson performs the Heimlich maneuver on a classmate, enabling his friend to breathe again.

Aquarius Arnolds, Indiana, USA

Ms. Aquarius Arnolds, a Purdue University student in Indiana, USA saves a man's life by answering a misdialed call and then phoning emergency services to get him help.

Nicholas Wythe, Cornwall, United Kingdom

British teen Nicholas Wythe extinguishes a fire engulfing his father Andrew by quickly shaking and spraying a bottle of soda over him to douse the flames. 

Intelligence Squared, National Public Radio (NPR), and Bloomberg TV

The UK’s “Intelligence Squared” hosts a debate on the benefits of organic food, which is aired on radio and television by media sponsors National Public Radio (NPR) and Bloomberg TV, respectively. 

Heather Mills

Vegan British charity campaigner Heather Mills, also a Board member for the US-based New York Coalition for Healthy School Food, informs students and teachers about the benefits of a plant-based diet. 

Dr. Wang Hwei-ming, Formosa (Taiwan)

Dr. Wang Hwei-ming, a vegan Formosan (Taiwanese) cancer specialist, recommends a plant-based diet to prevent disease. 

Oprah.com and Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart

The official website, Oprah.com, of the multi-award winning American television host Oprah Winfrey features an article by designer Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart describing the benefits of cruelty-free vegan fashion.

James Cameron

Oscar award-winning Canadian film director James Cameron conveys the urgency of addressing climate change now to avoid global suffering, noting the record success of his movie “Avatar” as evidence that the world is ready to take meaningful action.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts and PETA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), acting in accordance with a request from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, states that it will no longer serve the cruelly-produced foie gras at any events.

Kentucky’s legislators, USA

Legislators in Kentucky, USA pass the Equine Health and Welfare Bill to assist neglected and abused horses through a council that will establish regional care centers for the horses.

Governor Chet Culver, Iowa, USA

Governor Chet Culver of Iowa, USA signs into law a bill that will help ensure that the state’s 20,000 dogs in breeding facilities are well-treated.

Ian Brothers

Australian Mr. Ian Brothers, becoming aware of the cruelty towards animals involved in sheep farming, switched his profession to science teaching and now promotes the plant-based diet.

David Helvarg, USA

US journalist David Helvarg, also president of the conservation group Blue Frontier Campaign, has authored several books and produced many documentaries encouraging ocean preservation.  

Yuji Miyata, Japan

Japanese citizen Yuji Miyata travels on foot through different countries, planting trees and bringing a message of peace and Earthly protection.

Mariah Jensen, Iowa, USA

Ms. Mariah Jensen spends US$1,000 to rent an 80-foot crane and rescue scarlet macaw parrot Jobe after he had spent three nights in a tree. 

The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, India

The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in India launches the country’s first blood bank for dogs. 

British government

A British government survey finds that 95.5% percent of citizens are in favor of a complete ban on wild animals in circuses, and for the animals to be well-looked after being released. 

Alice the canine, New Zealand

Alice the canine leads caregivers Mr. Gary and Mrs. Claudine McNelly to a 19-year-old injured man who they assist in getting needed medical attention. 

Buddy the German shepherd, USA

Buddy the German shepherd quickly obtains help for a fire by running to the road and leading a US state trooper to the remotely located home of human companion Ben Heinrichs. 

Kalong the canine, Thailand

Kalong, the canine companion of Mr. Boo Lertkhonburi, helps maintain the beauty of nature by gathering litter and bringing it to shore from the area near a local waterfall.