Gino Strada (Italian Surgeon), Sakena Yacoobi (Afghan Women’s Educator) Jointly Awarded, Over 800 people from more than 100 countries around the world in attendance, including current and former parliamentarians, national and international VIPs, music choreographer Kolleen Park, among others from all walks of life
The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee (Chairman, Dr. Il Sik Hong, former president of Korea University) held its “2017 Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony” on February 3 (Friday),).Dr. Gino Strada, an Italian surgeon, and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan women’s education professor, were selected as co-recipients of the prize. On November 29, 2016, the Committee officially announced its laureates to the world at a press conference in Washington, DC.
Dr. Gino Strada is highly regarded for his humanitarianism transcending national borders, saving the lives of eight million people over the past 28 years, providing “urgent medical relief” to refugees and war victims at the forefront of global disputes. Dr. Sakena Yacoobi has been greatly recognized for her efforts to “educate” 13 million refugees at Afghan refugee camps devastated by the war, and offer a solution for their resettlement.
Each laureate received a prize of $500,000, to go along with a medal and plaque presented by the founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, and Committee Chair, Dr. Il Sik Hong, during the award ceremony.The award ceremony was attended by more than 800 delegates, including former President of Kiribati HE Anote Tong who gave the Congratulatory Address, current and former presidents and vice presidents, among others representing various governments, academia, businesses, media, and religions.
Committee Chairman Dr. Il Sik Hong, former president of Korea University said, “As a prize founded on the vision for peace to build ‘One Family Under God,’ the Committee presents the ‘refugee crisis’ as its core theme for the 2017 awards.”Chairman Hong stated in his Welcoming Address that, “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, and campaigned for a world where we no longer needed borders, because we recognize that we are all members of one human family.”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.”
Through his Congratulatory Address, H.E. Anote Tong asserted, “The refugee crisis requires a global response, and therefore we must enhance the global effort through cooperation and coordination between all actors.”Meanwhile, the celebration stage was arranged by musical arts director Kolleen Park, with the theme of “overcoming the global refugee crisis with respect and love for humanity.” The collaborative performance, with musical actor Jaerim Choi, Kolleen Park, and the Korean traditional arts school Little Angels, created a fantastic harmony that highlighted the mood of the award ceremony.
The Sunhak Peace Prize biannually recognizes and honors individuals or organizations that have made enduring contributions to peace and human development for future generations.The two laureates will have a busy schedule in Korea, including a special plenary lecture at the “World Summit 2017” international conference on February 3 (Friday) at 5:30 pm, following the award ceremony at the same hotel.
