#South Korea #Seoul #Sunhak Peace Prize #Hugh Evans #Wanjira Mathai

The 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize: Celebrating Innovators in Peace

The prestigious Sunhak Peace Prize Committee, chaired by the former President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has announced its esteemed laureates for 2025. This year's recipients, recognized for their remarkable contributions to peace and humanitarian efforts, are Patrick Awuah Jr. from Ghana, Hugh Evans from Australia, and Wanjira Mathai from Kenya. The award ceremony is set to take place on April 11, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea.

Highlighting the Laureates

Patrick Awuah Jr.

As the founder and president of Ashesi University, Patrick Awuah Jr. has transformed higher education in Africa. Under his leadership, Ashesi has become a benchmark for ethical leadership and innovation, dramatically impacting the region by empowering students with the tools to tackle key challenges. Awuah's commitment is evident in the impressive employment rate of 90% among graduates and the university's unique approach to gender equality, boasting a student body 50% female. His work exemplifies the essence of educational reform aimed at cultivating the next generation of African leaders.

Hugh Evans

Hugh Evans, the co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, has been a driving force in mobilizing vast resources to combat poverty and further global development. He has successfully facilitated the raising of $43.6 billion, positively impacting over 1.3 billion lives worldwide by enhancing access to essential services such as healthcare and education. Evans has revolutionized global activism, connecting grassroots movements with systemic political changes to tackle inequality on an international scale. His efforts have positioned Global Citizen as a formidable advocate for social justice and sustainable progress.

Wanjira Mathai

Wanjira Mathai, currently the Africa Regional Director for the World Resources Institute, has played a pivotal role in environmental restoration and sustainable development. A prominent figure in the Green Belt Movement, she has championed the planting of over 51 million trees and leads the AFR100 initiative, which aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across Africa by 2030. Mathai's remarkable work integrates ecological restoration with economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods, addressing climate change while fostering community resilience.

Special Recognition

Additionally, His Excellency Xanana Gusmão, the first President and current Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, is set to receive the Founder’s Award for his vital contributions to peace and international solidarity. Gusmão, renowned for his advocacy around initiatives like the g7+, has facilitated collaborative efforts among fragile states to address common challenges, embodying the spirit of the Sunhak Peace Prize.

The Award Ceremony

The award presentation will occur in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and remote participation. Each laureate will be honored with a medal, a plaque, and a monetary award of $200,000, recognizing their commitment to fostering peace and community resilience.

The Sunhak Peace Prize not only acknowledges exemplary leadership but also inspires future generations to aspire towards a more peaceful and just world. For further details on the awards and laureates, visit www.sunhakpeaceprize.org.

This event underscores the critical role of dedicated leaders whose work reverberates around the globe, highlighting the ongoing journey towards peace and innovation.