Speeches
- 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: 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: 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: 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.”
- Written by: Hon. Luis Roberto da Silva, vice president, National Parliament, Timor-Leste
“Timor-Leste believes that genuine dialogue between the parties involved can contribute to enhancing mutual trust, thereby decreasing the tension and paving the way for a peaceful solution.”
- Written by: Hon. Vasily Vlasov, deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
“We should not live for short-term profits; we have to think about the future—a good future for our children and grandchildren. I am confident that the joint efforts of humankind can do it.”
- Written by: Hon. Margarett Best, Cabinet minister and parliamentarian, Government of Ontario, Canada (2007 to 2013)
“Let us move forward, realizing the opportunity presented to us to build and develop concrete plans of action for the common good of all humankind—one family under God.”
- Written by: Hon. Matt Salmon, U.S. congressman (2013 to 2017)
“The idea whose time has come is that peace can come only by way of forgiveness.”
- Written by: Rev. Suhadi Sendjaja, Chairman, Nichiren Shoshu, Indonesia
“The only way to improve moral quality and avoid disasters is to raise up the intrinsic awareness inherent in every human being.”
- Written by: Dr. Ven Sobhita, Principal, International Buddhist Education Center, Myanmar
“By holding individual spiritual and moral values, universal and human values, by ensuring human rights and by cooperation, I am sure we can achieve our vision of a peaceful world.”
- Written by: Most Ven. Dr. Hongsa Boriboun, Deputy Director-General of Committee for Sangha Foreign Affairs of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Lao PDR
“The meetings this time will be useful in furthering the cooperation of government leaders, religious leaders, women leaders, civil society leaders and the media to share experiences and learn new innovations for human development. Buddha promoted the teachings of Morality, Meditation and Wisdom particularly. Development of society and culture, based on ethics and virtue, leads to peace.”
- Written by: Mirek Topolánek, Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
“Human rights and freedoms are universal; a sense of perception is given to each individual – no matter in which country, in what culture and religion. When we say “human rights,” do we mean – at least in this hall – the same thing?”