2017 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureate Announcement

D istinguished leaders from America and throughout and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, who has presented an innovative the world. Good afternoon. solution for the problem of refugee resettlement, through It is my great pleasure to be here today for this education. historic International Leadership Conference in Dr. Gino Strada is an outstanding humanitarian who has Washington, DC. provided emergency medical assistance for 25 years to As Chairman of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee, allow refugees in life-threatening circumstances in the Middle me to begin by thanking the Universal Peace Federation East and in African conflict areas. In 1994, he established and the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation for preparing such an emergency medical organization called “Emergency.” a wonderful banquet program in honor of the Operating more than 60 emergency medical facilities in 16 announcement of the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize laureates. I nations, he has contributed to saving an amazing 7 million am most honored that you have gathered for this most lives, many rescued from situations of dire vulnerability. important occasion. Dr. Gino Strada sees “the right to be cured” as a basic and The Sunhak Peace Prize was established by Rev. Sun inalienable human right, and is raising the bar, striving to Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, based on their provide high-quality medical treatment free-of-charge to vision for peace, “One Family under God,” to help prepare the world’s poorest. He received agreements from the for a peaceful future for all humankind. Indeed, at this time governments of at least 12 nations in Africa, who in history, we are crossing a bridge into a momentous new committed themselves to providing free healthcare for all, era, and we are being tested on the very essence of our and took a leadership role in raising awareness of human humanity. As we face the largest number of displaced rights. In addition, he built a world class center for cardiac persons on the global level since World War II, we must surgery in the middle of the African desert. With steadfast make a transnational effort for the common benefit of resolve, he is building a movement to oppose conflict and humankind. violence, based on the moral and political point of view that war cannot be justified for any reason. It is with this critical situation in mind that the Sunhak Committee has focused on the global refugee crisis. The Meanwhile, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi is an educator known as Committee has selected, as the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize the “Mother of Afghan Education” and the “innovator of laureates, Dr. Gino Strada, who provides medical Afghan reconstruction.” She proposed a supplementary emergency aid to refugees in Africa and the Middle East, solution to the issue of settlement, through providing education for those living in Afghan refugee camps. 1

Convinced that education is the only sustainable solution in the history of human civilization, now more than ever, for the future of refugees, she established the Afghan this problem should be addressed as one of the most crucial Institute of Learning (AIL) in 1995, and over 21 years has issues of our time. provided education and vocational training to more than 13 Observing the refugee and diaspora crises occurring the million refugees. world over, I am reminded once again of our Founders’ Above all, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi is committed to women’s love for humanity, which has transcended national borders. education, with an innovative conviction that educating The great love for humankind with which the 2017 Sunhak girls is educating future generations. In the process she has Peace Prize laureates have sought to solve these problems greatly improved the rights and social status of women in has historical significance in our struggle for a sustainable Islamic society. Even under the Taliban regime that strictly peace. All those living at this time must remember the prohibited women from receiving education, she operated value of our common humanity, recognizing that we are all underground schools at the risk of her own life, making interconnected. With international solidarity and possible the education of more than 3,000 girls. cooperation, we must hastily seek the wisdom that will Due to her pioneering efforts, unlike the first generation of permit refugees to recover and re-establish stable and Afghan refugees suffering from despair and poverty, those fruitful lives. comprising the second and third generations of refugees In these troubled times, nations’ willingness to cooperate are currently able to play an active role as community with each other is being tested. Therefore, for the sake of leaders in the process of rebuilding society. Due to success lasting peace, we are addressing such an issue as the stories such as these, presently Dr. Yacoobi is actively refugee crisis. assisting the international community, including advising Searching for the heroes of today is like searching for a the UN as an expert in refugee crisis resolution. steady ray of light in pitch-darkness. The broad vision and The Sunhak Committee annually presents a “future-peace change in our behavior advocated by the Sunhak Peace agenda” that will guide our shared human destiny toward Prize will serve as a beacon of hope revealing the path to peace. For the 2017 awards, the Sunhak Committee has the 21st century civilization of peace. made the refugee crisis its core theme. While diaspora has Thank you. been one of the oldest recurring adaptive measures to crises

Dr. Gino Strada Dr. Sakena Yacoobi