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[Washington Times] 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize Awarded to Italian Surgeon and Afghan Educator
The Sunhak Peace Prize presentation was made by founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, and Sunhak Committee Chair, Dr. Il Sik Hong, at the UPF World Summit with the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace attended by 800 former and current members of parliament from 120 countries. Dr. Gino Strada, 68, a surgeon who works on the front lines of war zones and in refugee camps, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, 66, an Afghan educator who teaches in resettlement camps in Afghanistan, were selected as co-recipients of the Sunhak Peace Prize at a ceremony in Seoul, Korea on Friday, March 3.The Sunhak Peace Prize was founded in 2015 by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, widow of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, who died in 2013. The Sunhak Peace Prize, awarded biannually, “honors individuals or organizations that have made enduring contributions to peace and human development for future generations,” according to the Sunhak Foundation which gives the award.Dr. Strada is an Italian surgeon and founder of the NGO Emergency, recognized by the United Nations. Emergency has operated in theaters of war in thirteen countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, and the Central African Republic.In the late 1980s and early-90s, as a heart surgeon with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), he worked in war zones in Pakistan, Ethiopia, Peru, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Bosnia. His field experience motivated him and a group of colleagues to found Emergency as an NGO. He said he wanted to create “a small, agile, highly specialized medical organization.” He wanted to be able to go into conflict areas quickly, bypassing the usual bureaucratic delays.Today, Emergency operates eight surgical hospitals in areas of conflict in Africa and the Asian subcontinent. The organization has also established more than fifty first-aid health care centers near heavily mined areas, many of them in and around areas of active conflict.In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Strada said, “Refugees often ask me, ‘what did I do wrong?’ That question always shocks me. The elimination of war or human conflict is the only practical solution to end human suffering, and it is the only practical solution to end human suffering.”This year’s co-recipient, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, is the CEO of the Afghan Institute of Learning, which she founded in 1995 in response to the lack of education and healthcare that the Afghan people were facing after decades of war and strife. Since its founding, the organization has either has worked at the grassroots level, establishing four schools, a hospital, and a radio station. Her work has a beneficial impact on the lives of millions of Afghans, especially with her work educating young girls and women. Her efforts have greatly reduced the infant mortality rate and the death rate of Afghan women and improved the illiteracy rate among Afghan women.In her acceptance remarks, she said, “In 1979, all my family members became refugees in the war between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. I know what deprived me of all my rights; I know what I have forfeited. For that reason, I must pass along this award to Afghan women and children today.”Dr. Hong, who is the former president of Korea University, said, “As a prize founded on the vision for peace in recognition that the people of the world are one family under God, the committee elected to present the refugee crisis as its core theme for the 2017 awards.”Chairman Hong, added, “Presently as we face the largest number of displaced persons on the global level since World War II, the international community must make a transnational effort for the common benefit of humankind.” He added, “In order to create a world of lasting peace, the award’s founder emphasized the love for humanity that transcends divisions of race, national borders, ideology, and religion.”Chairman Hong asserted that “At a time when the global refugee crisis seems to be worsening by the day, these two laureates, who have devoted their lives to fundamentally rebuilding the lives of refugees through providing the most essential of our rights to ‘medical aid’ and ‘education,’ are the heroes of this era.”The award ceremony, held in the Lotte World Hotel in Seoul, was attended by more than 800 delegates, including former President of Kiribati Anote Tong who gave a congratulatory address, saying, “The refugee crisis requires a global response, and therefore we must enhance the global effort through cooperation and coordination between all actors.”
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[Washington Times] 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize Awarded to Italian Surgeon and Afghan Educator
The Sunhak Peace Prize presentation was made by founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, and Sunhak Committee Chair, Dr. Il Sik Hong, at the UPF World Summit with the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace attended by 800 former and current members of parliament from 120 countries. Dr. Gino Strada, 68, a surgeon who works on the front lines of war zones and in refugee camps, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, 66, an Afghan educator who teaches in resettlement camps in Afghanistan, were selected as co-recipients of the Sunhak Peace Prize at a ceremony in Seoul, Korea on Friday, March 3.The Sunhak Peace Prize was founded in 2015 by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, widow of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, who died in 2013. The Sunhak Peace Prize, awarded biannually, “honors individuals or organizations that have made enduring contributions to peace and human development for future generations,” according to the Sunhak Foundation which gives the award.Dr. Strada is an Italian surgeon and founder of the NGO Emergency, recognized by the United Nations. Emergency has operated in theaters of war in thirteen countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, and the Central African Republic.In the late 1980s and early-90s, as a heart surgeon with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), he worked in war zones in Pakistan, Ethiopia, Peru, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Bosnia. His field experience motivated him and a group of colleagues to found Emergency as an NGO. He said he wanted to create “a small, agile, highly specialized medical organization.” He wanted to be able to go into conflict areas quickly, bypassing the usual bureaucratic delays.Today, Emergency operates eight surgical hospitals in areas of conflict in Africa and the Asian subcontinent. The organization has also established more than fifty first-aid health care centers near heavily mined areas, many of them in and around areas of active conflict.In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Strada said, “Refugees often ask me, ‘what did I do wrong?’ That question always shocks me. The elimination of war or human conflict is the only practical solution to end human suffering, and it is the only practical solution to end human suffering.”This year’s co-recipient, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, is the CEO of the Afghan Institute of Learning, which she founded in 1995 in response to the lack of education and healthcare that the Afghan people were facing after decades of war and strife. Since its founding, the organization has either has worked at the grassroots level, establishing four schools, a hospital, and a radio station. Her work has a beneficial impact on the lives of millions of Afghans, especially with her work educating young girls and women. Her efforts have greatly reduced the infant mortality rate and the death rate of Afghan women and improved the illiteracy rate among Afghan women.In her acceptance remarks, she said, “In 1979, all my family members became refugees in the war between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan. I know what deprived me of all my rights; I know what I have forfeited. For that reason, I must pass along this award to Afghan women and children today.”Dr. Hong, who is the former president of Korea University, said, “As a prize founded on the vision for peace in recognition that the people of the world are one family under God, the committee elected to present the refugee crisis as its core theme for the 2017 awards.”Chairman Hong, added, “Presently as we face the largest number of displaced persons on the global level since World War II, the international community must make a transnational effort for the common benefit of humankind.” He added, “In order to create a world of lasting peace, the award’s founder emphasized the love for humanity that transcends divisions of race, national borders, ideology, and religion.”Chairman Hong asserted that “At a time when the global refugee crisis seems to be worsening by the day, these two laureates, who have devoted their lives to fundamentally rebuilding the lives of refugees through providing the most essential of our rights to ‘medical aid’ and ‘education,’ are the heroes of this era.”The award ceremony, held in the Lotte World Hotel in Seoul, was attended by more than 800 delegates, including former President of Kiribati Anote Tong who gave a congratulatory address, saying, “The refugee crisis requires a global response, and therefore we must enhance the global effort through cooperation and coordination between all actors.”
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[MBC NEWS] The Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony, Dr. Strada/Dr. Yacoobi jointly awarded
The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee today held their 2nd Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony and awarded a prize of $ 500,000, a medal, and a plaque to Gino Strada, a refugee medical relief activist, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan woman educator.Dr. Gino Strada has created an international medical ngo called EMERGENCY and has saved over 7 million lives by providing free-of-charge medical relief to war victims in the Middle East and Africa. Dr. Sakena Yacoobi has been recognized as a distinguished educator for women\'s education.The Sunhak Peace Prize is awarded biannually to individuals and organizations who have contributed to the peace and wellbeing of future generations.
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[MBC NEWS] The Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony, Dr. Strada/Dr. Yacoobi jointly awarded
The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee today held their 2nd Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony and awarded a prize of $ 500,000, a medal, and a plaque to Gino Strada, a refugee medical relief activist, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan woman educator.Dr. Gino Strada has created an international medical NGO called EMERGENCY and has saved over 7 million lives by providing free-of-charge medical relief to war victims in the Middle East and Africa. Dr. Sakena Yacoobi has been recognized as a distinguished educator for women\'s education.The Sunhak Peace Prize is awarded biannually to individuals and organizations who have contributed to the peace and wellbeing of future generations.
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[KBS NEWS] The 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize...Dr. Strada/Dr. Yacoobi jointly awarded
Gino Strada, a refugee medical relief activist, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan woman educator, have jointly been selected as the winners of the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize. The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee today held their 2nd Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony and presented the two laureates each with $ 500,000 in prize money along with a medal and plaque.Dr. Gino Strada was recognized for his work with EMERGENCY, a humanitarian medical relief organization he founded that provides free of charge medical care to war victims in the Middle East and Africa, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi was recognized for her dedication to women\'s education in Islamic society.
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[KBS NEWS] The 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize...Dr. Strada/Dr. Yacoobi jointly awarded
Gino Strada, a refugee medical relief activist, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan woman educator, have jointly been selected as the winners of the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize. The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee today held their 2nd Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony and presented the two laureates each with $ 500,000 in prize money along with a medal and plaque.Dr. Gino Strada was recognized for his work with EMERGENCY, a humanitarian medical relief organization he founded that provides free of charge medical care to war victims in the Middle East and Africa, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi was recognized for her dedication to women\'s education in Islamic society.
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Interview with the co-laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize - Afghan educator, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi
Segye Times founder\'s birthday and Foundation Day commemoration, interview with the co-laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize - Afghan woman educator, Dr. Sakena YacoobiFebruary 3, 2017Refugees have gone through so much pain as part of a global village suffering from conflict and war. According to UNHCR\'s 2015 Global Report, the number of refugees worldwide is estimated at 16.12 million. As US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on his immigration ban, and more European nations began following suit closing its borders, refugees found themselves in more difficulties. But there are people who have been working hard for more than 20 years for refugees with nowhere to go. Italian surgeon Dr. Gino Strada (68), who saved over 8 million people by providing medical care to war victims in conflict areas around the globe, and Afghanistan\'s female educator Sakena Yacoobi (66), who presented a solution for refugee resettlement through education. The two winners of the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize were invited to attend the awards ceremony held at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea on February 3. \"The refugees should be equally respected,\" they said in an interview with Segye Times on February 1, \"It is urgent that the international community addresses this crisis.\"Dr. Sakena Yacoobi explains the significance of refugee education in an interview with Segye Times, held at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea on February 1. By Sangyoon Ha, Segye Times Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, who has abandoned a comfortable lifestyle as a professor in the United States, has returned to Afghanistan to provide education for refugees. In 1995, the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) was founded to establish a systematic educational foundation, and has educated over 13 million refugees to date. \"When you become a refugee, you not only lose your way of life, but also your self-esteem as well,\" Dr. Yacoobi stated. \"If I am to succeed in helping them resettle through education, it is so important that the international community comes together on this issue.\"― What was your reaction to winning the Sunhak Peace Prize?“I am very excited and happy to receive this award. In a world with so many issues, I am grateful that the Committee raised the plight of refugees as their focus.”―Why is education so important to refugees in particular?“Education is closely related to the economic power of the nation as well as to raising individual morality and values. Educating women leads to educating children because they naturally learn through their mother, which leads to the education of the whole family itself. Educating the family is ultimately linked to educating the whole society.”―Was there a particular turn of events that made you give up a comfortable lifestyle as a professor in the United States and come back to your home country to devote myself to its education?“I am very lucky. I received a good education and a good paying job. I was able to take care of myself enough to have a decent living. But in the back of my mind, I always thought about my younger siblings in Afghanistan. Though I was living a comfortable life, my family and the people I cared about back home, were suffering in Afghanistan. I found myself disenchanted and asking myself what my life in America really meant.” On the morning of February 3, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon awards Dr. Sakena Yacoobi the Sunhak medal during the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony held at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea. By Sangyoon Ha, Segye Times ―You must have gone through so much. How were you able to overcome them?“I needed to establish trust with the community leaders and convince them that education would be safe and that it made society more abundant. It was necessary to get their support so that everybody could be safely protected. The process took a long time.” ―It seems as though the Trump administration (US President) is taking a hostile stance against refugees. Please share with us your feelings about this.“I feel very sorry it had to be that way. Refugees are also human beings. They are not objects or some different existence, but human beings just like us. Refugees did not just simply lose their homes. They lost everything, including their self-esteem and self-respect. The returning refugees are more economically and mentally exhausted. Refugees are mostly young women and children. These people are the ones that give strength to the next generation. Taking this into account, we should not ignore the refugee crisis in the US or in Europe.” ―What concept would you recommend for the next Sunhak Peace Prize?“We should be concerned with the injustice in our society and its hegemony as a whole. We must focus on creating a peaceful world without war where all people around the world can live a life of equality, not just a handful of privileged people.”By Hyejong Nam, Segye Times hjnam@segye.com
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Interview with the co-laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize - Italian surgeon, Dr. Gino Strada
Segye Times founder\'s birthday and Foundation Day commemoration, interview with the co-laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize - Italian surgeon, Dr. Gino StradaFebruary 3, 2017Refugees have gone through so much pain as part of a global village suffering from conflict and war. According to UNHCR\'s 2015 Global Report, the number of refugees worldwide is estimated at 16.12 million. As US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on his immigration ban, and more European nations began the following suit closing their borders, refugees found themselves in more difficulties. But there are people who have been working hard for more than 20 years for refugees with nowhere to go. Italian surgeon Dr. Gino Strada (68), who saved over 8 million people by providing medical care to war victims in conflict areas around the globe, and Afghanistan\'s female educator Sakena Yacoobi (66), who presented a solution for refugee resettlement through education. The two winners of the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize were invited to attend the awards ceremony held at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea on February 3. \"The refugees should be equally respected,\" they said in an interview with Segye Times on February 1, \"It is urgent that the international community addresses this crisis.\"Dr. Gino Strada discusses refugee medical relief in his interview with the Segye Times on February 1 at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea. By Sang Yoon Ha, Segye Times Beginning with his post with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1989, Dr. Gino Strada has spent the last 28 years dedicated to the world\'s conflict zones. He provided urgently needed medical relief for refugees, the poor, and war victims needing treatment, and also led a campaign to ban war altogether. His humanitarian achievements were so outstanding, he was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1994, the humanitarian medical care organization EMERGENCY was established to provide high-quality free medical services, running over 60 medical facilities in 17 countries, including Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, and Sudan, and saving the lives of over 8 million people. In 2007, Dr. Strada established the Salam Centre, a free-of-charge hospital specializing in heart surgery with state-of-the-art facilities in Sudan.\"The right to be treated is the most basic inalienable right we have as human beings,\" he stressed, \"It is only natural that the best medical services are provided to refugees without discrimination.\"― What was your reaction to winning the Sunhak Peace Prize?“I am very honored to receive this award. Conversely, I was taken by surprise because we did not know that people in Korea knew or were interested in what we do. I think it is meaningful to award a prize for peace. I hope it does not just simply end with talks of peace, but that real change can come out of it.”―The Salam Center for Cardiac Surgery in Sudan is well known for its state-of-the-art facilities that do not lag behind other American or European hospitals. Is there a reason you insist on providing the best facilities?“It took us 30 years to finally construct this. Victims of war are exposed to mines, bomb fragments, firearms, and other injuries. Pregnant women have difficulty giving birth due to a lack of proper facilities. In order to cope with these diverse needs, such facilities are needed. What if someone you know or a family member was sick and needed to go to the hospital. Where would you want to send them? Of course, you would want to spend top dollar on the best facilities. I think everyone should get the best treatment equally without discrimination.”At the 2nd Sunhak Peace Prize Awards Ceremony held at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea on February 3, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon is awarding Dr. Gino Strada with a medal and plaque. By Sang Yoon Ha, Segye Times ―Tell us about your plans for the future.“After a successful signing of the \"Manifesto for a Human Rights-based Medicine\" led by EMERGENCY with the governments of Africa in 2008, recognizing the need for high-level medical services, governments have agreed to cooperate towards providing medical care free of charge. Recently, Dr. Strada has started construction work for a pediatrics center in Uganda. In this way, he aims to build Centres of Medical Excellence across Africa to strengthen national health systems with a regional perspective. The African continent still lacks good medical facilities with good hygiene. It is a crime against humanity.” ―It seems as though the Trump administration (US President) is taking a hostile stance against refugees. Please share with us your feelings about this.“I am very surprised. The US was built on immigrants. It has thrived to where it is now because of its diversity. I do not think the US government\'s policy banning immigrants is wise. The good news is, there are lots of movements rising to protest and challenge this move.”―What concept would you recommend for the next Sunhak Peace Prize?“If it was up to me, I would suggest war abolition. It is strange that even after thousands of years, mankind still fights fiercely to kill each other. To stop the ravages of war, the world must endeavor to completely make war a thing of the past.”by Hyejeong Nam, Segye Times hjnam@segye.com
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[Segye Times] The Sunhak Peace Prize, the hope for refugees the world over
Doctor and educator dedicated to refugees, honored at the 2nd award ceremony;Now all countries around the world must follow suit to solve the refugee crisisFeb 4, 2017Two peace messengers who gave life and hope to refugees throughout the world, were jointly awarded the Sunhak Peace Prize. The Sunhak Committee (Chaired by Dr. Il Sik Hong) awarded the 2nd Sunhak Peace Prize to Dr. Gino Strada of Italy and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi of Afghanistan, at the awards ceremony held yesterday at the Jamsil Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea. The Sunhak Peace Prize was enacted as a proposal by the founder of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, to realize the ideals set forth by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who emphasized that global peace must be achieved through true love. The inaugural award was given in 2015, to Dr. Modadugu Gupta of India, who contributed to the resolution of the food crisis, and President Anote Tong of Kiribati, who strove to cope with climate change.This year\'s laureate, Dr. Strada, founded EMERGENCY, an international humanitarian medical group in 1994, helping over 8 million lives by providing medical relief in conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa. In his Acceptance Speech he appealed, \"Renouncing the logic of war and practicing fraternity and solidarity is not only desirable but urgently needed if we want the human experiment to continue.\" Dr. Yakoobi is called \"Mother of Education\" in Afghanistan. She founded the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) in 1995 with the belief that education is the only solution for the future of refugees, and educated over 13 million. Dr. Yacoobi stated, \"When you share love, compassion and wisdom, you provide humanity with an indestructible base for living in peace and harmony that no one can take away.\"Today, the refugee crisis is a common human issue facing the whole world. This is also why the Sunhak Committee has focused on the two righteous individuals who have dedicated themselves to solving this crisis. According to UNHCR\'s 2015 Global Report, 16.12 million refugees have been displaced by war and persecution around the world. Unlike the rapidly increasing numbers of refugees around the world, their presence is increasingly shrinking. The majority of them have not even been properly given refugee status. Recently, many developed countries in Europe and elsewhere, have refrained from letting refugees enter their borders because of risks to national security and employment. The United States, which held a lenient stance on immigrants, has also began locking its doors. As President Donald Trump fired an anti-refugee administrative order, more than 50,000 Syrian refugees and 26,000 Somali refugees have fallen into international misery.We now live in an era of one global village where the whole world is coming together. How could we dare claim to care for the common fate of mankind, in such a world where our neighbors are suffering as refugees? Committee Chairman, Dr. Il Sik Hong stated in his Welcoming Address, \"The international community should make transnational efforts to resolve the refugee crisis for the common good of mankind.\" The two laureates paved the way for creating solutions to the refugee crisis with incredible courage and devotion. Now the nations of the world must follow suit, transcending borders and races, and embracing all people as one family.[Original Article]
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[Segye Times] The Sunhak Peace Prize, the hope for refugees the world over
Doctor and educator dedicated to refugees honored at the 2nd award ceremony;Now all countries around the world must follow suit to solve the refugee crisisFeb 4, 2017Two peace messengers who gave life and hope to refugees throughout the world were jointly awarded the Sunhak Peace Prize. The Sunhak Committee (Chaired by Dr. Il Sik Hong) awarded the 2nd Sunhak Peace Prize to Dr. Gino Strada of Italy and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi of Afghanistan, at the awards ceremony held yesterday at the Jamsil Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, Korea. The Sunhak Peace Prize was enacted as a proposal by the founder of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, to realize the ideals set forth by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who emphasized that global peace must be achieved through true love. The inaugural award was given in 2015, to Dr. Modadugu Gupta of India, who contributed to the resolution of the food crisis, and President Anote Tong of Kiribati, who strove to cope with climate change.This year\'s laureate, Dr. Strada, founded EMERGENCY, an international humanitarian medical group in 1994, helping over 8 million lives by providing medical relief in conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa. In his Acceptance Speech, he appealed, \"Renouncing the logic of war and practicing fraternity and solidarity is not only desirable but urgently needed if we want the human experiment to continue.\" Dr. Yakoobi is called \"Mother of Education\" in Afghanistan. She founded the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL) in 1995 with the belief that education is the only solution for the future of refugees and educated over 13 million. Dr. Yacoobi stated, \"When you share love, compassion, and wisdom, you provide humanity with an indestructible base for living in peace and harmony that no one can take away.\"Today, the refugee crisis is a common human issue facing the whole world. This is also why the Sunhak Committee has focused on the two righteous individuals who have dedicated themselves to solving this crisis. According to UNHCR\'s 2015 Global Report, 16.12 million refugees have been displaced by war and persecution around the world. Unlike the rapidly increasing numbers of refugees around the world, their presence is increasingly shrinking. The majority of them have not even been properly given refugee status. Recently, many developed countries in Europe and elsewhere, have refrained from letting refugees enter their borders because of risks to national security and employment. The United States, which held a lenient stance on immigrants, has also begun locking its doors. As President Donald Trump fired an anti-refugee administrative order, more than 50,000 Syrian refugees and 26,000 Somali refugees have fallen into international misery.We now live in an era of one global village where the whole world is coming together. How could we dare claim to care for the common fate of mankind, in such a world where our neighbors are suffering as refugees? Committee Chairman, Dr. Il Sik Hong stated in his Welcoming Address, \"The international community should make transnational efforts to resolve the refugee crisis for the common good of mankind.\" The two laureates paved the way for creating solutions to the refugee crisis with incredible courage and devotion. Now the nations of the world must follow suit, transcending borders and races, and embracing all people as one family.[Original Article]
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[Joongang Times] Contribution to world peace for future generations
Taking a photo this past August 28 during the Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony, in the picture are the founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon (far left), laureate President Anote Tong (second to right), laureate Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta (third to right), Committee Chairman Dr. Il-Sik Hong (far right).Last August 28, the Sunhak Peace Prize Ceremony was held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Seoul, Korea. President of Kiribati, H.E. Anote Tong, and Indian fisheries scientist, Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta, were selected as the inaugural laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize which was established to promote world peace and human development.“I accept this prestigious award with the sincere hope that all who are here today and the world as a whole, have indeed taken heed of my people’s plight, my people’s fate. For their sake, let us do what is right for them.” - from the Acceptance Speech by President Anote Tong“This award gives me the added energy to pursue my life goals of contributing to a peaceful society through alleviation of hunger and poverty. I pay homage to Reverend Dr. Sun Myung Moon for the ideals he stood for and his vision of one global peaceful family. Let us all work together to bring his ideas to reality.” - from the Acceptance Speach of Dr. Modadugu V. GuptaOver 1,000 VIPs in attendanceTotal prize money 1 million US dollarsThe Sunhak Peace Prize was established to inherit the vision of Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and perpetuate their legacy by recognizing individuals who have willingly sacrificed themselves for peace and awards 1 million US dollars, the highest amount for a single prize in the world. The co-recipients received a cash prize of $500,000 each.Including the founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Chairman of the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation Sun Jin Moon, and Korean National Assembly Speaker Ui Hwa Chung, approximately 1,000 delegates and VIPs, representatives of politics, academia, business, and religion came from across the world to attend the Ceremony.Committee Chairman Il-Sik Hong said, “The present generation has been given a historical calling for it to let go of its greed and selfishness, and transcend race, nation, ideals, and religion in order to create a peaceful civilization based on love for humanity,” and added, “Under the banner of ‘One Global Family, Making the World Better for Future Generations,’ The Sunhak Peace Prize will go beyond the limits of civilizations that humanity has constructed until now and create a new peaceful civilization based on love for humanity.”The audience was touched by the beautiful harmony of Soprano vocalist Su-mi Jo and the Little Angels chorus.After the ceremony, the laureates gave a special lecture during an international conference called “World Summit 2015.” It provided an opportunity for the attendees to address the issues of climate change and food insecurity.On June 8, the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee announced their first laureates at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., United States. The awardees are President of Kiribati H.E. Anote Tong, who raised the awareness of the international community on the serious impacts of climate change, and Indian fisheries scientist Dr. Modadugu Gupta who led relief efforts for the poor and the future food crises with a revolutionary method of aquaculture that produced enormous results.During the past year, 182 candidates from 66 countries were recommended to the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee by their nominators from around the world. Through complex evaluations and a scrupulous field researching process, President Anote Tong and Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta were selected as the inaugural dual laureates. They were recognized for their sacrificial efforts to find solutions to climate change and the looming food crisis which are the agenda of the Sunhak Peace Prize.To find solutions to climate change and the looming food crisisThey devoted themselvesAnote Tong was elected as the fifth President of the Southern Pacific island country of Kiribati and is currently serving the final year of his third term. During his tenure, he has made efforts to raise awareness of crises facing low-lying Pacific small island states due to climate change and has been urging for international cooperation.In 2010, Pres. Tong hosted the Tarawa Climate Change Conference (TCCC) and enacted the Ambo Declaration. Representatives of the world powers including China and vulnerable states participated in the conference. The main concerns there were agreeing to the 18 points of the Declaration, and urging concrete actions to find solutions to climate change. Developed countries who attended the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Mexico, promised their strong support to climate-vulnerable countries like Kiribati.Pres. Tong has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his achievements and received the Peter Benchley Ocean Award and Hillary Award in 2012 for climate equity.The co-recipient Indian fisheries scientist Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta pioneered the Blue Revolution through developing innovative aquaculture techniques as an alternative solution to the future food crisis. Dr. Gupta known as the ‘Saint of the Poor’ taught aquaculture methods to the extremely poor in Southeast Asia and Africa. He improved their nutritional status and cultivated a miracle of self-sufficiency. He also drastically changed the social status and rights of women. The World Food Prize, known as the Nobel Prize for agriculture, congratulated his awarding on their official website.[Original Article]
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[Joongang Times] Contribution to world peace for future generations
Taking a photo this past August 28 during the Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony, in the picture are the founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon (far left), laureate President Anote Tong (second to right), laureate Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta (third to right), Committee Chairman Dr. Il-Sik Hong (far right).Last August 28, the Sunhak Peace Prize Ceremony was held at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Seoul, Korea. President of Kiribati, H.E. Anote Tong, and Indian fisheries scientist, Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta, were selected as the inaugural laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize which was established to promote world peace and human development.“I accept this prestigious award with the sincere hope that all who are here today and the world as a whole, have indeed taken heed of my people’s plight, my people’s fate. For their sake, let us do what is right for them.” - from the Acceptance Speech by President Anote Tong“This award gives me the added energy to pursue my life goals of contributing to a peaceful society through alleviation of hunger and poverty. I pay homage to Reverend Dr. Sun Myung Moon for the ideals he stood for and his vision of one global peaceful family. Let us all work together to bring his ideas to reality.” - from the Acceptance Speach of Dr. Modadugu V. GuptaOver 1,000 VIPs in attendanceTotal prize money 1 million US dollarsThe Sunhak Peace Prize was established to inherit the vision of Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and perpetuate their legacy by recognizing individuals who have willingly sacrificed themselves for peace and awards 1 million US dollars, the highest amount for a single prize in the world. The co-recipients received a cash prize of $500,000 each.Including the founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Chairman of the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation Sun Jin Moon, and Korean National Assembly Speaker Ui Hwa Chung, approximately 1,000 delegates and VIPs, representatives of politics, academia, business, and religion came from across the world to attend the Ceremony.Committee Chairman Il-Sik Hong said, “The present generation has been given a historical calling for it to let go of its greed and selfishness, and transcend race, nation, ideals, and religion in order to create a peaceful civilization based on love for humanity,” and added, “Under the banner of ‘One Global Family, Making the World Better for Future Generations,’ The Sunhak Peace Prize will go beyond the limits of civilizations that humanity has constructed until now and create a new peaceful civilization based on love for humanity.”The audience was touched by the beautiful harmony of Soprano vocalist Su-mi Jo and the Little Angels chorus.After the ceremony, the laureates gave a special lecture during an international conference called “World Summit 2015.” It provided an opportunity for the attendees to address the issues of climate change and food insecurity.On June 8, the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee announced their first laureates at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., United States. The awardees are President of Kiribati H.E. Anote Tong, who raised the awareness of the international community on the serious impacts of climate change, and Indian fisheries scientist Dr. Modadugu Gupta who led relief efforts for the poor and the future food crises with a revolutionary method of aquaculture that produced enormous results.During the past year, 182 candidates from 66 countries were recommended to the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee by their nominators from around the world. Through complex evaluations and a scrupulous field researching process, President Anote Tong and Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta were selected as the inaugural dual laureates. They were recognized for their sacrificial efforts to find solutions to climate change and the looming food crisis which are the agenda of the Sunhak Peace Prize.To find solutions to climate change and the looming food crisisThey devoted themselvesAnote Tong was elected as the fifth President of the Southern Pacific island country of Kiribati and is currently serving the final year of his third term. During his tenure, he has made efforts to raise awareness of crises facing low-lying Pacific small island states due to climate change and has been urging for international cooperation.In 2010, Pres. Tong hosted the Tarawa Climate Change Conference (TCCC) and enacted the Ambo Declaration. Representatives of the world powers including China and vulnerable states participated in the conference. The main concerns there were agreeing to the 18 points of the Declaration, and urging concrete actions to find solutions to climate change. Developed countries who attended the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Mexico, promised their strong support to climate-vulnerable countries like Kiribati.Pres. Tong has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his achievements and received the Peter Benchley Ocean Award and Hillary Award in 2012 for climate equity.The co-recipient Indian fisheries scientist Dr. Modadugu V. Gupta pioneered the Blue Revolution through developing innovative aquaculture techniques as an alternative solution to the future food crisis. Dr. Gupta known as the ‘Saint of the Poor’ taught aquaculture methods to the extremely poor in Southeast Asia and Africa. He improved their nutritional status and cultivated a miracle of self-sufficiency. He also drastically changed the social status and rights of women. The World Food Prize, known as the Nobel Prize for agriculture, congratulated his awarding on their official website.[Original Article]
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- 5 March 2021
- Sunhak Peace Prize
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Future generations refer not only to our own physical descendants
but also to all future generations to come.Since all decisions made by the current generation will either positively
or negatively affect them, we must take responsibility for our actions.
