Award Ceremony Honors Sunhak Peace Prize Laureates

Seoul, South Korea – Three problem-solvers who are creatively and successfully tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges were awarded the 6th Sunhak Peace Prize at a magnificent ceremony held at the Lotte World Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. In addition, two important personalities from Africa, one a former head of state, the other a religious leader, were awarded the Founders’ Prize by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Videos highlighting the journey and work of each laureate were shown.

Dr. Thomas Walsh, co-chair of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee warmly welcomed the dignitaries from around the world who were present.

H.E. Ban Ki-moon, former secretary-general of the United Nations and recipient of the Sunhak Founder’s Award in 2020, congratulated the five laureates for their contributions to peace, sustainability, and leadership. He honored Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon for founding the prize and promoting global unity through her vision of one peaceful human family.

H.E. Macky Sall, former president of Senegal and Sunhak Peace Prize laureate in 2020, also congratulated this year’s laureates, describing how in a world exhausted by war, violence, climate crisis and persistent inequalities, working towards the ideal of peace and human fraternity is an act of faith, goodwill, courage and patience.

2025 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureates

Award recipient Ms. Wanjira Mathai, chair of the Green Belt Movement and Africa director of the World Resources Institute, expressed deep gratitude for the prize, describing how its founder’s vision of peace – built through collaboration, service, and uplifting the most vulnerable – resonated deeply with her. She shared that her mother, Wangari Maathai, recipient of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, instilled in her the belief that the most meaningful work is that which benefits others, and that true satisfaction comes from service to others.

Ms. Mathai emphasized her mission to promote inclusive, sustainable development and environmental restoration, and highlighted Africa’s potential in the global green economy, calling for bold, transformative action to ensure a resilient, equitable future for all. She described how South Korea’s rise through strategic investment inspires Africa to harness its advantages – a youthful workforce, renewable energy, and natural resources – for inclusive transformation. She dedicated the award to Africa’s youth, the driving force behind a resilient, courageous, and prosperous future.

The second recipient, Mr. Hugh Evans, co-founder of Global Citizen, dedicated the prize to his team of partners, artists, and advocates. He explained that, inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief that poverty is manmade and can be eradicated through justice, he co-founded Global Citizen to turn advocacy into action. From mobilizing billions through concerts and campaigns in Australia, New York, Mumbai, and Johannesburg, to launching global events like “One World: Together at Home” during the COVID-19 pandemic, his work reached over 1.3 billion people.

Mr. Evans described how Global Citizen empowers individuals to take meaningful action on climate change, education, and humanitarian crises, proving that ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact.

The third recipient, Mr. Patrick Awuah, founder of Ashesi University in Ghana, accepted the prize on behalf of his university community and African youth, whose future he believes holds great promise. Motivated by concerns for his children's future, he explained how he left a successful career in the United States to return to Ghana. In 2002, he founded Ashesi University with the vision of educating ethical, entrepreneurial leaders to drive innovation and prosperity across Africa.

He highlighted Ashesi University’s impact through three stories: describing a group of students who helped mediate conflict in a Liberian refugee camp through business workshops; explaining the creation of Africa’s first student-led honor code, fostering a culture of integrity; and relating the story of a student from a rural village who had never used a computer before, entered the university, earned a Ph.D. in computer science, and built technology to diagnose malaria. Mr. Awuah emphasized the power of shared purpose, purposeful action, and providing people with the tools to create meaningful change.

Founders’ Prize Recipients

Next, the Founders’ Award was presented by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, beginning with H.E. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former president of Nigeria and chair of the International Summit Council for Peace-Africa. Accepting the reward with gratitude, he reflected on his humble beginnings in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, emphasizing that no dream is too big when driven by service and peace. He credited his achievements to collective efforts, especially recognizing his wife, Patience Jonathan, for her unwavering support.

He announced that all financial benefits from the prize would be donated to the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation to further its mission of promoting peace, democracy, and inclusive development in Africa. Through initiatives like the West African Elders Forum and the National Summit Council for Peace, Dr. Jonathan will continue to support political stability in Africa. He concluded by affirming his dedication to peace and governance and thanked the committee for recognizing peacebuilders worldwide.

The second recipient, Prophet Samuel Radebe, founder of The Revelation Spiritual Home, expressed deep gratitude as he accepted the Sunhak Peace Prize, calling it an unexpected yet meaningful recognition of his life’s purpose, rooted in his spiritual journey. He emphasized that true service is not driven by the pursuit of awards, but by a deeper commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

He acknowledged the challenges faced by those who work for good, including criticism and opposition, often from powerful figures, even religious leaders. Despite these hardships, he affirmed that the values embodied by the Sunhak Peace Prize remind peacebuilders that perseverance through adversity ultimately inspires global change.

The event concluded with a moving performance featuring Yuria, a South Korean musical actress; Michael Lee, an American actor and singer based in Seoul; and the Little Angels Children's Folk Ballet of Korea, with each performing separately and then combining their talents in a grand finale.

By Alan Sillitoe, Communications Director, UPF-Europe and Middle East April 11, 2025