#South Korea #Seoul #Sunhak Peace Prize #Patrick Awuah #Wanjira Mathai

Sunhak Peace Prize 2025: Celebrating Global Leaders Innovating for Peace

On January 15, 2025, the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee, chaired by former European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, proudly announced the recipients of this year's prestigious award. The ceremony will be held on April 11, 2025, at 3:00 PM KST in Seoul, South Korea. This year's honorees include notable figures such as Patrick Awuah Jr. from Ghana, Hugh Evans from Australia, and Wanjira Mathai from Kenya, each recognized for their remarkable contributions to global peace and innovation.

Honorees Overview

Patrick Awuah Jr.

As the founder and president of Ashesi University in Ghana, Patrick Awuah has revolutionized higher education in Africa. His leadership model focuses on ethical leadership and fostering innovation. Under Awuah's guidance, Ashesi University has achieved a remarkable 90% graduate employment rate and maintains a student body that is 50% female, thereby empowering the next generation of African leaders to tackle significant issues on the continent.

Hugh Evans

Co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, Hugh Evans has raised an astounding $43.6 billion to combat poverty and promote sustainable global development. His work has positively impacted over 1.3 billion people worldwide by enhancing access to essential services such as healthcare and education. Evans has redefined global activism, merging mass movements with systemic policy changes to address global inequalities.

Wanjira Mathai

A leading advocate for environmental restoration and sustainable development, Wanjira Mathai serves as the regional director for Africa at the World Resources Institute. She has been instrumental in the Green Belt Movement and has led efforts to plant 51 million trees. Through her leadership, Mathai spearheads the AFR100 initiative aimed at restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land across Africa by 2030, thus integrating environmental recovery with economic empowerment and climate change mitigation.

Special Recognition

Additionally, the prestigious Founder’s Award will be presented to His Excellency Xanana Gusmão, a key leader in East Timor's independence movement. As the nation’s first president and present prime minister, Gusmão has championed peace and international solidarity through initiatives like g7+, fostering collaboration among fragile states to address shared challenges.

Ceremony Details

The awarding ceremony will take place in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and virtual attendance. Each honoree will receive $200,000, a medal, and a commemorative plaque, marking their outstanding contributions to the cause of peace.

For more information about the Sunhak Peace Prize and its mission, please visit www.sunhakpeaceprize.org. Join us in celebrating these exceptional individuals dedicated to making a transformative difference in the world.