MOAS founders named among 100 global thinkers of 2015 by foreign policy

Dec 03, 2015 508

Foreign Policy yesterday released its seventh annual Global Thinkers issue, naming MOAS founders Christopher and Regina Catrambone among their list of 100 Global Thinkers. Mr and Mrs Catrambone founded MOAS (Migrant Offshore Aid Station) to mitigate loss of life at sea in response to the ongoing refugee crisis. Since 2014, the organisation helped rescue almost 12,000 refugees from unseaworthy boats in the Mediterranean Sea. MOAS (www.moas.eu) is now expanding its mission to the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece (to be launched in December) as well as to the Andaman Sea in South East Asia.

"It is an honour for us to be listed among FP's Global Thinkers. The real heroes, however, are the thousands of people who have contributed to our cause to help save lives. We are now a completely crowdfunded global charity and we take pride in the fact that we have inspired so many people to be the change they wish to see in the world instead of leaving the work to others," said Mr Catrambone who received the award on behalf in Washington D.C.

Each year, Foreign Policy selects the 100 Leading Global Thinkers whose contributions and work are changing minds and shaping the world.

"This year's Global Thinkers hold the key to what is driving change today. They have demonstrated extraordinary innovation, passion, creativity, and thirst, and have translated their ideas into action, impacting millions worldwide. We are excited that this year's list features more women than ever before," said David Rothkopf, editor and CEO of The FP Group. "This special annual issue is a chance to reflect on the past year, and look ahead to tomorrow."

The honorees are organized into nine categories – the Decision-Makers, the Challengers, the Innovators, the Advocates, the Artists, the Healers, the Stewards, the Chroniclers, and the Moguls.

Among the remarkable ranks of FP's Global Thinkers, there are individuals and organizations who have tackled climate change despite a poor country's economic limitations; a pop singer who has challenged the Islamic State with verses; inventors who have created an iPhone app that serves as eyes for the blind; and a book with pages that clean dirty water. There are also those who have risked their lives to document the terrors of living under the Islamic State; advocates who gave voices to individuals silenced for being gay or transgender; and scientists who developed some of the first tools to combat Ebola.

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