The 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize was awarded to President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal and Bishop Munib A. Younan, the International Honorary President of Religions for Peace. Marking the centenary of the founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a special Founders' Centenary Award was presented to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee held the 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony commemorating the centenary of the founder on February 5, 10 am, at KINTEX, Ilsan, Republic of Korea.
President Sall was recognized for successfully shortening the presidential term from seven to five years and reviving the economy through transparent policies, thereby spreading mature democracy to neighbouring countries on the African continent where long-term dictatorship and poverty still abound.
Chairman Hong awarding the plaque to Bishop Munib Younan, the International Honorary President of Religions for Peace. Bishop Younan was recognized for his 40-years of work to promote harmony among Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the Middle East and in particular to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Former UN Secretary-General Ban led the UN towards achieving a sustainable world with unyielding dedication in the face of unprecedented global challenges and crises, including global economic crisis, climate change, terrorism and refugee issues.
In his acceptance speech, President Sall emphasized that peace requires social components of inclusive economic growth that contributes to poverty eradication and reduction of inequality. He reaffirmed his determination to take lead in ending the conflicts on the African continent and achieving social and economic development.
Bishop Younan called out to the religious leaders "to raise their voices for peace based on justice and to speak boldly against the waves of hatred and oppression" and said, "I will continue to work for peace based on justice until the last breath of my life."
Former UN Secretary-General Ban stated that "there are still more than 700 million people going to bed with a hungry stomach" and that receiving this prize gave him "much more added commitment, added motivation that I should do much more because there are still many people who are yearning for peace, prosperity, and for their human rights to be respected and protected."
Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon awarding the Founder's Centenary Award to former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The Centenary Award was given for the first time to commemorate the centenary of Dr. Sun Myung Moon.
OUR VISION OF PEACE AND OUR MISSION
The Sunhak Peace Prize was founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the wife of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon. This award reflects her profound hope of continuing the legacy left by her husband, who lived his life with the spirit of “having the heart of a parent, in the body of a servant, shedding sweat for the earth, tears for humankind and blood for heaven,” dedicating his entire life toward realizing world peace, prosperity and coexistence, where humankind thrives as “One Family Under God.”
The peaceful world envisioned by humankind can only be built upon an all-encompassing foundation where peace among nations exists politically, militarily and religiously, and is realized by protecting family values, the sanctity of marriage, and the value of filial piety through the maturity of human character. Reconciliation, coexistence and cooperation between diverse groups of people, representing differing social values and interests, as well as preservation and good management of the environment, are all key ingredients for the world of peace envisioned by Rev. and Mrs. Moon.