Speeches
- Written by: Dr. Yoshiyuki Amemiya, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo, Japan
“Human conflicts occur when people insist on their own viewpoints, but science effectively attempts to unify different ideas, offering precious suggestions as we pursue the ideals of human civilization.”
- Written by: Swami Shantatmananda, head and secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, India
“The faith in any religion automatically brings into focus many humanitarian values which, if practiced, will result in tremendous peace and harmony in this world.”
- Written by: Msgr. Martinho Germano da Silva Gusmão, Catholic Bishop of Dili, Timor Leste
“We are called to work for justice, peace and integrity of creation.”
- Written by: Father Joseph Saghbini, Parish Priest, Melkite Catholic Church, Lebanon
“I see the reciprocal relationship between peace, security and human development. Without peace and security, there is no human development.”
- Written by: Rev. Dr. Mark Abernathy, National Co-President, ACLC, USA
“Religious leaders, it is our responsibility to bring calm, unity and peace to our sphere of influence. Loving one another with all honesty is doing the will of God.”
- Written by: Mgr. Nicolas, Patriarch, Orthodox Patriarchate of Nations, France
“If we want to speak about and establish peace, we ourselves must be altruistic, filled with the love of God. We must prove by our deeds and not just our words that God’s love is within us. In that way, we will be able to transmit peace, multiply it and lead others towards peace.”
- Written by: Kimmo Kalevi Sasi, Minister of Foreign Trade (1999- 2002) and Minister of Transport and Communications (2002-2003), Finland
“Let me present you a solution worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize – the European Union. No one can imagine that France and Germany would go into a war. When you continuously sit at the same table and find common interests, you don’t even think of war as a solution. Four freedoms, freedom of goods, labor, capital and services, are such a benefit for citizens that people do not want high borders anymore.”
- Written by: Ruth Cleaver, President, Auckland Interfaith Council, New Zealand
“By joining the interfaith movement, we have the opportunity to model together the differences we wish to see in the world.”
- Written by: Hon. Ban ki-Moon, Secretary General, United Nations (2007–2016), Korea
“It is my great privilege to stand before you this evening and humbly accept the 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize. I’m incredibly grateful for this esteemed honor, and it is quite meaningful to follow in the footsteps of the previous luminary awardees you have bestowed this honor upon.”
- Written by: Bishop Munib Younan, Arab-Israeli Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
“The vision of a peaceful life together is the central message of every religion and is integral to the mission of every religious community. This is the reason I call on all religious leaders to raise their voices prophetically for peace based on justice and to speak boldly against the wave of hatred and oppression making its way across the globe today.”
- Written by: H.E. Macky Sall, President, Senegal
“[I]n these times of havoc and uncertainty, no task is more urgent than to promote dialogue in order to ease tensions and foster mutual understanding. We also have to advocate the peaceful coexistence of people.”
- Written by: Mr. Yigal Molad Hayo, Chair, Bio-Tech Entrepreneur and Investor, the International Section of the Israeli Council for Culture and Arts
“Israel's unique society and culture, large-scale and advanced “military incubator,” strong economy, government support, and "global-first" market approach are just a few of the factors that make Israel's innovation ecosystem one of the most successful in the world. Additional attributes of the Israeli ecosystem include highly innovative approach, strong R&D capabilities, an educated and skilled workforce, increasing government assistance, significant tax benefits, a flourishing venture capital market, and a flexible, adaptable, and creative economy.”