- Being held on February 3 (Friday) at 10 am, at the Jamsil, Lotte Hotel World, Crystal Ballroom
- 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 “laureate lecture” will be held at a special plenary session later that day on February 3 (Friday) 5:30 pm at the same venue
The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee (Chairman, Dr. Il Sik Hong, former president of Korea University) will hold its “2017 Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony” on February 3 (Friday), at 10 am at the Jamsil, Lotte Hotel World, Crystal Ballroom (3rd floor).
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 will receive 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 Congratulatory Address will be given by former President of Kiribati, and the laureate of the inaugural Sunhak Peace Prize, HE Anote Tong.
More than 800 delegates are expected to attend the award ceremony, including current and former presidents and vice presidents, among others representing various governments, academia, businesses, media, and religions.
During its laureate announcement press conference, Committee Chairman Dr. Il Sik Hong, former president of Korea University stated, “As a prize founded on the vision for peace of building “One Family Under God,” the Committee presents the refugee crisis as its core theme for the 2017 awards.”
Chairman Hong further 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.”
Meanwhile, the celebration stage will be 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, is expected to create a fantastic harmony that will highlight 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 venue.
For more information, please contact : Mr. Tadayoshi Kiriyama, Manager, Sunhak Peace Prize Secretariat, Overseas Dept.
Office : +82-2-3278-5154 Cell Phone : +82-10-3912-1404
