Introduction
Seoul, South Korea, April 11, 2025 - Three problem-solvers who are creatively and successfully tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges were awarded the 6th Sunhak Peace Prize (SHPP) at a magnificent ceremony held at the Lotte World Hotel in Seoul, South Korea, moderated by well-known presenters Mr. Young-il Shin and Ms. Se-mi Chung. 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 SHPP Committee, recognized the members of the committee and current and former laureates present, and warmly welcomed the dignitaries from around the world who graced the occasion with their presence. He went on to describe how this year marked the 10th anniversary of the Prize, which was founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han, to continue the legacy of her husband, the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who dedicated his life to realizing world peace, prosperity and coexistence, where humankind thrives as “One Family Under God,” and recognizes individuals who have willingly sacrificed themselves for peace.
In his address, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and recipient of the Founder’s Award in 2020, expressed his gratitude for being part of the 2025 SHPP ceremony and 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, and highlighted the achievements of the laureates, including efforts in environmental restoration, poverty alleviation, education, democracy, and interfaith harmony. He emphasized global citizenship, which he himself had promoted during his tenure as U.N. Secretary General and called on all to continue working toward a more peaceful, just, and sustainable future for generations to come.
H.E. Macky Sall, President of Senegal (2012-2024) and SHPP laureate in 2020, expressed his gratitude for attending the 2025 ceremony. Regretting that his obligations did not allow him to attend in 2020, he felt it was his duty to be present on this occasion. After honoring the founders, he congratulated the 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, and this is what the 2025 SHPP laureates have demonstrated. In conclusion, he emphasized that recognizing such individuals is not just symbolic but a moral duty, urging continued collective commitment to peace, unity, and dignity for all.
SHPP Awards
The first recipient, Ms. Wanjira Mathai, Chair of the Green Belt Movement and Africa Director of the World Resources Institute, expressed deep gratitude for receiving the 2025 SHPP, describing how the vision set forth by Rev. and Dr. Moon of peace built through collaboration and service and upliftment of the most vulnerable, resonated deeply for her. She expressed that her mother, Wangarĩ Maathai, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, instilled in her the belief that the most meaningful work is that which benefits others and the principle that true satisfaction will always come 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 green advantages—youthful workforce, renewable energy, and resources—for inclusive transformation. Africa must redefine its narrative, create value, and lead globally, she said. 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, accepted the prize with deep gratitude to Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, dedicating it to his team, their partners, artists, and advocates. He reflected on his early experiences in South Africa during the HIV/AIDS crisis, which shaped his passion for ending extreme poverty. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s belief that poverty is man-made and can be eradicated through justice, Evans 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 empowered individuals to take meaningful action on climate change, education, and humanitarian crises, proving that ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact. He emphasized that peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of dignity, freedom, and justice, and called for global cooperation to solve man-made challenges. He honored his fellow laureates and reiterated Mandela’s conviction that collective human action can overcome any injustice. He concluded by thanking the SHPP Committee for recognizing their mission to build a just, united, and peaceful world.
The third recipient, Mr. Patrick Awuah, Jr., Founder of Ashesi University in Ghana, accepted the prize on behalf of the Ashesi University community and African youth, whose future he believed holds great promise. Inspired by South Korea’s economic transformation and motivated by concerns for his children's future in an Africa facing major challenges, he explained how he left a successful career in the U.S. 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.
Reflecting on the vision of the SHPP, he highlighted Ashesi University’s impact through the stories of three students: first, students who helped mediate conflict in a Liberian refugee camp through business workshops; second, the creation of Africa’s first student-led honor code, fostering a culture of integrity; and third, a student from a rural village who, after never using a computer before 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. As he reflected on his 60th birthday and two decades at Ashesi University, he expressed deep gratitude for being part of a movement empowering youth and reshaping Africa’s narrative. He dedicated the award to African youth, whose potential, he said, shines brightly for the world.
Founders’ Prize
Next, following the showing of a SHPP 10th anniversary video, there followed the presentation of the Special Founders’ Award, beginning with H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President (2010-2015), Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Chairman, ISCP Africa. He expressed deep gratitude upon receiving the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize Founder’s Award, dedicating it to all those committed to peace and democracy. He acknowledged the legacy of Father Moon and praised Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and the SHPP Committee for their continued work. 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. The award, he stated, honored every Nigerian and African striving for peace and justice. 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.
Jonathan highlighted ongoing challenges such as conflict, fragile democratic transitions, and inequality. He reaffirmed the need for dialogue, reconciliation, and good governance as essential to lasting peace. Through initiatives like the West African Elders Forum and the National Summit Council for Peace, he continued 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 2nd 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. Radebe noted that such struggles were not unfamiliar to the founder of the Prize, Holy Mother Han, the Mother of Peace, citing the current situation in Japan, where the Family Federation, a respected institution affiliated with UPF, was under threat of closure, as an example of the persistent conflict between forces of good and evil.
Despite these hardships, he affirmed that the values embodied by the SHPP serve as a guiding light, reminding peacebuilders that perseverance through adversity ultimately inspires global change. He concluded by thanking Holy Mother Han for establishing the Prize and recognizing those committed to bettering the world.
Celebratory performance
The event concluded with a moving celebratory performance featuring the well-known artists 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.