MORDI Tonga CEO awarded Lincoln University Alumni Award

15 Dec MORDI Tonga CEO awarded Lincoln University Alumni Award

oane Patolo, the CEO of the Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) Tonga Trust, has been recognized for his exceptional work in empowering isolated rural communities to fight against poverty. Patolo will be the first Tongan awarded the Lincoln Alumni International Medal for 2023 in Christchurch during the Lincoln University graduation ceremony on Friday May 12th, 2023.

Background and Achievements

MORDI Tonga is an NGO that focuses on empowering vulnerable rural communities in the Kingdom of Tonga, particularly women and youth in agricultural development and socio-economic empowerment. Since its inception in 2007, the organization has grown from 2 staff supporting 21 communities to 30 staff members and supporting 122 communities (80% of Tonga’s rural communities), with funding exceeding $25 million.

Through Patolo’s leadership, MORDI Tonga has made a fundamentally important contribution to the wellbeing and prosperity of rural communities in Tonga. The organization has increased agricultural input, bolstered agricultural productivity, and transferred innovative and technological know-how to rural smallholder farmers that form the foundations of Tongan food and nutrition security.

Words of encouragement to the graduating class of 2023

Patolo acknowledged in his speech many of those that helped him during his career. He offered words of encouragement and advice to the graduating class of 2023.

“I encourage you to stay true to your values, your vision, and your purpose. I wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t persevere through adversity. To borrow a quote from a great leader, Winston Churchill “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”.

International Partnerships

Patolo has forged new partnerships between university academics in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, with remote communities and smallholder farmers throughout Tonga and the Pacific region. This has enabled international research innovation to better connect with local Tongan industries.

Honors and Recognitions

In 2019, Patolo became an Adjunct Associate Professor of Rural Development at the University of Sunshine Coast.

In 2021, he was honored with the Royal Order of the Crown by the King of Tonga for his exceptional work in rural development.