PeaceTV

HJ Global News - News of the Week, May 2, 2020

 

The Common Vision of Peace for Humanity

Sunhak Peace Prize

 

SUNHAK PEACE PRIZE

 

The Sunhak Peace Prize has spread its vision of peace by recognizing righteous people who have brought hope through their dedication to the human community! Founded on essential values such as respect for human rights, conflict resolution and environmental preservation, it opens a new horizon towards a world of peace.

 

Peace for all people can be achieved when all nations form a global community of peace and prosperity together. The Sunhak Peace Prize is building a vision of peace for future generations through its various operations and initiatives.

 

True Mother established the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee in February 2013 and launched it in August of the following year. The bi-annual award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made enduring contributions to help resolve worldwide problems, as well as people who presented clear blueprints for humanity’s development.

 

Ø  The Climate and Food Crises

Ø  The Global Refugee Crisis

 

The 1st edition of the Sunhak Peace Prize focused on the climate and food crises. A pioneer in the fight against climate change who has worked for the future and peace of humanity, the former President of Kiribati, Mr. Anote Tong, and Dr. Modagugu Gupta, who has developed innovative fish farming technology as an alternative to the future food crisis, were selected as co-winners of the 1st edition. They have thus caught the attention of the public and numerous media around the world.

 

The 2nd edition of the Sunhak Peace Prize focused on the "refugee issue", a problem that became a terrible global crisis. According to a report by the UNHCR of the United Nations, one person out of every 113 in the world is a refugee. The award committee of the Sunhak Peace Prize presented a special joint award to Dr. Gino Strada, the "Albert Schweitzer" of the 21st century, who has fought for the right to care for refugees in Africa and throughout the Middle East, and to Dr. Sakena Yakoobi, the mother of education, who has struggled to provide education to female teachers, as well as for the right to education, health and welfare for refugees.

 

The 3rd edition of the Sunhak Peace Prize focused on "Human Rights and Development in Africa”. The deprivation of human rights and the problem of development in Africa is a true scourge blotting humanity’s conscience. The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee also awarded a special joint prize to Waris Dirie, who contributed to the passing of laws to abolish female genital mutilation and improve women's rights in Africa by exposing this problem globally, and to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, president of the African Development Bank, who has contributed to the fight against poverty and corruption in Africa with his reforms in agriculture.

 

Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values (2007–2016)

 

A Committed Leader for a Sustainable Planet Earth: Ban Ki-moon, Former SG of the United Nations (2007–2016)

 

Ø  Signing of the Paris Climate Agreement (2016) (SDGs)

Ø  Adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDOs)

 

Model of Good Governance in Africa: Macky Sall, President of Senegal

Ø  Amendment of the Constitution by national referendum in 2016: reduction of the presidential term of office, age restrictions, etc.

Ø  Strengthening the rule of law through implementation of measures

Ø  Establishment of a national anti-corruption agency

Ø  Economic growth, stable at 6%.

Ø  Increase in the retirement pension

Ø  Emergency Grant Payment to Farmers

Ø  Improvement of transport infrastructure

Ø  Reform of health insurance

 

Pioneer of Interreligious Harmony: Munib A. Younan, Former President of the Lutheran World Federation

Ø  Establishment of the Council of the Religious Institutions of the Holy Land

 

The 4th edition of the Sunhak Peace Prize, held a year earlier to commemorate the centenary of True Father’s birth, drew attention to True Parents' vision of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values. Ban Ki-moon, former secretary general of the United Nations, received the Founder's Special Award for his commitment to sustainable development. In 2016, he took part in the signing of the Paris Agreement, which aims to tackle climate change, a crisis unprecedented in the history of humankind. A hundred and ninety-five countries have pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and by adopting the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, these countries have presented a new vision and a shared goal to the international community, opening the way for a global community.

 

Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations

“The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our guide. This is a list of actions for humanity and for the planet and a plan for success”.

 

A model of good governance in Africa, Senegalese President Macky Sall has broken the chain of long-term dictatorship, corruption and recession that prevails in Africa. He reduced the presidential term of office from 7 to 5 years, transforming Senegal into a model of a democratic nation in West Africa, governed by the rule of law and transparency. By stimulating economic growth in West Africa and improving the population’s quality, he has established himself as a model of good governance in Africa.

 

Macky Sall, president of the Republic of Senegal 

“Sharing common values is what enriches us”.

 

A pioneer of inter-religious harmony, Bishop Munib Younan, a Christian Arab, has dedicated himself to reconciliation in Jerusalem, a sensitive area of the Middle East. In 2002, as Israel and Palestine experienced an escalation of violence; for the first time in history, Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders gathered in Jerusalem. In 2005, under the guidance of the much-trusted Bishop Younan, they created the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land, opening a new chapter for interreligious harmony.

 

Bishop Munib A. Younan

“My identity cannot be perfected unless I serve God and my neighbor. War must stop. We have had enough of hate. We need peace based on justice and reconciliation based on forgiveness”.

 

4th Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony

February 5, 2020, KINTEX, Ilsan

 

4th Edition of the Sunhak Peace Prize: Founder's Special Award

²  Ban Ki-moon (South Korea), Leader of a Sustainable Planet Earth

4th Edition of the Sunhak Peace Prize: Co-prize winners

²  Macky Sall (Senegal), Model of Good Governance in Africa

²  Munib A. Younan (Palestine), Pioneer of Interreligious Harmony

 

On 5 February this year, world leaders who have contributed to the alleviation of suffering and the resolution of conflicts for the common peace of humanity gathered to receive the Sunhak Peace Prize. The laureates of this edition each presented a magnificent plan to peacefully impact people' s lives.

 

Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations
“We all share a common destiny grounded in sustainability, peace and prosperity. It is our moral duty, and the political leaders’ duty to realize this shared destiny for all global citizens in the years to come. With this, I am committed to work even harder to make this world better for all of you.”

 

President Macky Sall of Senegal

“The reason I humbly receive this award is because it [Sunhak Peace Prize] does not end as an individual award, but it is a tremendous encouragement to strive further in the culture of peace and human fraternity.”

Je l'accepte avec humilité parce que cette distinction est pour moi moins une fin en soi qu'un encouragement à persévérer dans la culture de la paix et de la fraternité humaine.

 

Bishop Munib A. Younan

“I pray that my Israeli neighbors will see the image of God in me and in my fellow Palestinians.

I would like to thank Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the founder of the Sunhak Peace Price and your late husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, for your vision of peace as one family under God.”

 

 

 

True Mother Special Press Conference and Presentation of the 4th Sunhak Peace Prize Laureates

October 5, 2019, Nagoya Castle Hotel, Nagoya, Japan      

 

God's dream and humanity's desire is to create one human family that serves God. One human family! We will support those who, through their tireless efforts and achievements, have worked hard to achieve such a world in order that they may achieve greater things. I will continue to seek out and work with the key people around the world who can guide humanity in the same direction.

 

In this era of globalisation, we must connect the destiny of the world with our own destiny, show solidarity and cooperate with one another. The Sunhak Peace Prize, which rewards peaceful practice on all levels, will in some ways open the doors to the bright future of a global village.

 

In Other News

 

- Visit to Temples on Buddha’s Birthday - Korean Religious Association

On this, Buddha’s 2,564^th birthday, leaders of the Association of Religions and the Family Federation visited Buddhist temples together with various Buddhist organizations that have been working with us.

Due to the unexpected outbreak of Covid-19, the millennial Lotus Lantern Festival celebrated on the most important day in Buddhism has been postponed for one month, while the community is involved in a special prayer condition to overcome this crisis; leaders of other religions have joined in their prayers, valuing Buddhists as a congregation with healing power and the capacity to practice mercy and love, which provides a refuge and hope to others.

 

- Asia-Pacific Region Forty-day Hoondok Online Condition

In the Asia-Pacific region, a special 40-day online hoondok condition takes place daily, involving more than 2,000 participants. The members of the Asia Pacific region are experiencing a spiritual rebirth from this condition, as they pray at dawn for True Mother’s health and that the world crisis, which has forced the closing of the borders between countries and the social isolation of citizens, will soon come to an end.