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1994: Vancouver - the Royal Canadian Mounted Police recognized the work of the "Ratanak Project" and presented Brian McConaghy with the Commissioner's Commendation for outstanding service for his humanitarian efforts in Cambodia. |
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1998: Ottawa - the Governor General of Canada awarded Brian McConaghy with the Meritorious Service Medal for "dedication to the people of Cambodia that has brought honour to Canada". |
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2002: Vancouver - the Government of Canada awarded Brian McConaghy the Golden Jubilee Medal for the work of Ratanak International in Cambodia. |
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2006: Phnom Penh, Cambodia - the Canadian Ambassador on behalf of the Vancouver Police issued a Chief Constable's Certificate of Appreciation to Ratanak International for assistance with "Project SADO", a successful international child sex crimes investigation. This was accompanied by a Chief Constable's Unit Citation awarded to Brian McConaghy in Vancouver in the same year. |
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2008: Cambridge, Ontario - the Bridgeway Foundation awarded Ratanak International with the R.L.Petersen Award for innovation demonstrated in the non-profit sector regarding programs to assist Cambodian human trafficking victims. |
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2010: Winnipeg: "Honouring Heroes" Stop Human Trafficking National Awards Ceremony, Brian McConaghy received the "International Freedom Award" for the work of Ratanak International in the prevention of human trafficking and child exploitation in Cambodia. |
"I've had the honour to see RATANAK in action first hand in the streets of Cambodia, in some of the areas hardest hit by the scourge of Human Trafficking and the Child Sex Trade. Their responsible use of resources, and the effective work they are doing on the front of Human Trafficking, is awe-inspiring. I'm proud to associate my name with RATANAK, and to lend my support to their work."
Paul Brandt
Recording Artist
June 18, 2010
"I first met Brian McConaghy just after I arrived in Cambodia as Canadian Ambassador in 1995. He had come to meet me on a personal matter which I was happy to help him with, but he then described some of the humanitarian projects he had started in the country as early as 1991, and others that were in the planning stages. Beginning with a shipment of hospital equipment for the Ministry of Health, he went on to support hospitals and clinics in some of the most remote areas of the country, where accessibility and security were still major issues.
This was my first encounter with Ratanak International, which has gone on to be one of the most important sources of funding for a host of projects undertaken by non-governmental organizations in Cambodia, most of them indigenous in a true spirit of self-help and sustainability. This remarkable organization over a period of 18 years, has supported hospitals, public health projects, food distribution programs, orphanages, and, most recently, a rehabilitation centre for sexually exploited children.
During this period, Brian has steadily built funding support, mainly in Canada and the United States, to the point where the projects he supports have attracted over $4 million. All of these funds are channeled through reliable, trustworthy NGOs which operate under agreements with the ministries and agencies of the Royal Cambodian Government. Brian visits Cambodia several times a year to monitor the projects and assign funding. His work has been recognized by such organizations as the Bridgeway Foundation which recently awarded Ratanak International $20,000 for the "Transitions Housing and Services Project (Cambodia)" that will help women leave the sex trade and gain valuable life and working skills.
To my mind, one of the most astonishing things about Ratanak International has been the selfless dedication of its founder and the time he has given, until recently very much on his own, to the people of Cambodia. Until this past year, Brian was working full time as a forensic scientist with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; he has now taken early retirement to devote his full time to The Ratanak Foundation. His Board of Directors is entirely voluntary, administrative costs are kept to a minimum, and donors are kept well-informed of the projects they are contributing to. The Ratanak Foundation is a model for the way in which support can be extended to a country like Cambodia - a nation that has experienced 40 years of dislocation, war and genocide, and that is now just beginning to realize its bright potential in Southeast Asia."D. Gordon Longmuir
Former Ambassador of Canada
to the Kingdom of Cambodia
December 31, 2008
"The Cambodian people have greatly benefitted from your dedication and compassion."
Garde B. Gardom, OBC, QC, Lieutenant - Governor, BC.
"It gives me great pleasure to join with all Canadians in saluting your outstanding efforts. Please accept my best wishes for a future of continued achievement and success."
Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada 1993 - 2003
"Through your charitable organization, the Ratanak Foundation, you have taken major steps to alleviate human suffering by providing desperately needed medical supplies and equipment to the Khmer people. By raising additional funds, your charitable organization has been able to construct rural clinics, restore hospitals and establish medical teams in Khmer communities. This extraordinary achievement has brought honour to you and to British Columbia, and distinguishes you as one of our province's most compassionate humanitarians.
I am proud to join the Government and People of British Columbia in acknowledging your dedication to the people of Cambodia."
Glen Clark, Premier, BC. 1996 -1999
"I can not help but be impressed not only with what you have accomplished individually, but with what you as a group have done for so many people."
Jean J. Charest, Premier, Quebec. 2003 - Present
"The Ratanak Foundation, under the leadership of Brian McConaghy, has brought much hope to the lives of countless people in Cambodia. Specifically in the area of child exploitation, the Ratanak Foundation has taken on the immense challenge of restoring the dignity and value to the devastated lives of youth. As a result, this organization has instilled new life and joy into the hearts of many who were formerly gripped by this horrifying modern day slavery."
Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan - St. Paul
"It is with the greatest admiration that I would like to personally commend you for the extraordinary service you have offered, and the courage and strength of character you have displayed."
Preston Manning CC.