Overview of Institute's Mission Philippines: 2003

Marietta Goco receives Award from David Woolner, 2002

The Stone Soup Leadership Institute conducted a three-month fact-finding mission in partnership with the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute to see how one woman in a third world country is carrying out Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy.

This report shows how Marietta Primicias Goco has been weaving Mrs. Roosevelt's legacy into her efforts to empower some of the poorest women in the world to build a more humane society. Rather than merely a dry accounting of facts, this report features a colorful narrative describing Mrs. Goco's amazing journey and the fascinating similarities between her life and Mrs. Roosevelt's. We've also included the stories and photos of a few brave Filipino women from the demonstration project who are on the front-lines of war on poverty and terrorism. The report includes a summary of actions taken, an overview of the Institute's efforts to carry on Mrs. Roosevelt's legacy, an overview of the Institute's support of the Philippines (1987-2002) and recommendations for future collaboration to carry on Mrs. Roosevelt's legacy.

The Philippines in early 2003 was a powerful time and place to conduct this inaugural FERI mission. During this three-month period, the United Nations was at the center of a heated global debate that ultimately led to the war on Iraq. Some said this was exactly why the UN was created - to provide a forum for a rigorous dialogue to help try to resolve global issues peacefully. It was fascinating to see first-hand the tremendous respect people from countries like the Philippines have for the UN, for its laws and for their prominence in our world. In light of the urgent need for more thoughtful responses to terrorism and more effective international diplomacy, the significance of our mission and this report took on even greater meaning. The Philippines is a breeding ground for corruption, environmental destruction and terrorism. Desperate economic situations encourage good people to do desperate things, which are bankrupting their nation and their children's future. At no time in history has it been more important that we rekindle Eleanor Roosevelt's legacy and her vision so we can develop a deeper appreciation for the UN and how the UDHR provides a framework to guide us in building a more humane world.

Marietta Goco receives Eleanor Roosevelt award

On November, 13, 2002, Mrs. Goco received the Stone Soup Leadership Institute's 1st global Eleanor Roosevelt Award at a gala event with Walter Cronkite in New York City. Mrs. Goco received this prestigious award for carrying on Eleanor Roosevelt's vision and for applying the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to her work in the Philippines. At the gala, FERI's Executive Director David Woolner read these words from the Roosevelt's grand-daughter, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt:

Like Marietta Primicias Goco, who has dedicated her life to the elimination of poverty and injustice in her native land, Eleanor Roosevelt understood that the power and spirit to create a better world, with basic human rights for all, rests within each of us.

Whether by design or by divine intervention, Marietta Goco has spent much of her life carrying out her heroine's legacy as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). As director of the first Presidential Commission to Fight Poverty, Mrs. Goco applied the UDHR principles to realize the ambitious goal of reducing poverty in the Philippines by 10% in five years. Much like Mrs. Roosevelt's process of building a global coalition to create UDHR, Mrs. Goco built a broad national coalition to pass the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1998, the first legislation of its kind in the world. The Act uses the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) standard to measure a person's ability to care for their families - and institutionalizes micro-finance so people can plan for their future. MBN has established a direct link to UDHR's "human dignity as human rights entitlements." "Mrs. NGO Networker," as she is fondly called, realized her goals in just 3 years and transformed the lives of two million people.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the most widely recognized statement of human rights and provides the overarching framework for international diplomacy. It is my commitment to these principles and to providing access to the poorest, that I say "YES!" to the POWER TO ACT! seeking, connecting, joining, merging, and bonding in solidarity with others-- acting together, NOW, TO BE, EACH ONE OF US, a force for positive change and peace in the world.
Marietta Goco

As a result of the Institute's Eleanor Roosevelt Award, Mrs. Goco received tremendous media recognition that she is now using to champion the arduous process of changing the Constitution of the Philippines, so they can build a more equitable, humane society. Mrs. Goco received accolades from:

Mabuhay Marietta Goco. World Class Filipino! The Filipino people should take pride in this award as we have seen first hand the results of your selfless efforts for our countrymen and women, especially in fighting poverty.
President Fidel V. Ramos

Working with Marietta reminds me of the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, " You get more joy out of the giving to others, and should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give."
Dr. Madelene Valera, Philippine Health Insurance

Recommendations

We have outlined a two-pronged approach to broaden and deepen the Stone Soup Leadership Institute's collaboration with the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute to help carry on Mrs. Roosevelt's vision and legacy. We encourage FERI to consider adopting our collaboration as an official program so we can maximize our impact. The Institute would like to formalize our partnership with an annual awards program to honor women around the world who are carrying on Mrs. Roosevelt's vision and legacy. Through the Institute's educational tools, website and initiatives we can inspire and educate the next generation of women to follow in their collective footsteps to help build a better world.

Walter Cronkite, host, Global Heroes Awards

I invite you to join with me and these Global Hero Award recipients to carry on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King to improve the conditions of our neighborhoods, our countries and the world through individual action and working with others. Let's forge new directions for the global economy, bridge the gap between the haves and have nots and strive to build a more peaceful world.

Walter Cronkite announces global call-to-action
Stone Soup Leadership Institute's Awards Event
November 1, 2002 • New York City