2019 Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony Press Conference
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| ▲ A view of the Press Conference |
The press conference for the 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony was held on February 9, 2019, at the Lotte Hotel World in Seoul, South Korea, with the Laureates of the 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Ms. Waris Dirie, At the press conference, 40 local and international medias, including medias from USA and Africa, attended to hear the peace messages of the two Laureates.
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| ▲ 2019 Laureate, Ms. Waris Dirie |
Waris Dirie is the first person to raise the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) to the international communities, as a human rights issue. The Sunhak Committee recognized her contributions in empowering rights of women and girls in Africa.
When she was asked to give a word on receving the Prize, she gave a big smile and said “I am very happy! When I was a little girl, I thought there are many people around the world who are working very hard to achieve peace. Then, I thought, when I become an adult, I will also become a women who can work hard in bringing peace to the world. I hope the works of the Sunhak Peace Prize can be expanded to the world, so everyone can bring combined efforts in bringing peace and I want to give hope to children who are going through suffering, just like my childhood.”
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| ▲ 2019 Laureate, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina |
The Sunhak Committee recognized Dr. Adesina’s contributions in leading Africa’s development by greatly improving food security in Africa by implementing agricultural policies which surged agricultural innovation to the African continent.
When he was asked to give a word on receiving the Sunhak Peace Prize for 2019, he said “The Sunhak Peace Prize is a call to do more for me. I want to thank the Sunhak Committee for recognizing my 30 years of services that have put in lifting millions out of poverty, not just Africa. There are millions who are still suffering from poverty and I want to encourage and enlighten them, so they can live better life. I hope one day, we could live in a world where there is no hunger.
Especially, he shared how he was honored to receive the Prize in Korea. He said, “I am thankful that I am receiving the award in Seoul, Korea. Seoul city is a dream city for me and I learn a new lesson every time when I come here. The Korean peninsula was divided into two lands after the Cold War. There was not enough food and resources. This country started with national income of one hundred US dollars and that number jumped to $31000. This improvement is just amazing. This shows a great lesson on how Korean people had the vision and passion in developing their own nation.”
