Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has been named the winner of the 2025 Founder’s Sunhak Peace Award. The prestigious award, presented by the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation, will be conferred at a ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, on April 11.
Jonathan becomes the third recipient and the first African leader to win this category of the award. His predecessors include former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The award recognizes individuals for their dedication to fostering global peace and human development.
The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee acknowledged Jonathan for his continuous efforts in mediation and pro-democracy initiatives. His leadership in peacebuilding across Africa, particularly through the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, the West African Elders Forum and the International Summit Council for Peace, played a significant role in his selection.
The committee highlighted Jonathan’s commitment to diplomatic conflict resolution and democratic stability. His mediation in political crises across West Africa, including negotiations in Mali, The Gambia, and South Sudan, has earned him international recognition as a statesman and peacemaker.
The Founder’s Sunhak Peace Award is distinct from the Sunhak Peace Prize, both of which are presented biennially. The Sunhak Peace Prize honours individuals and organizations that have contributed to world peace, focusing on sustainable human development, conflict resolution, and ecological conservation.
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Past winners of the Sunhak Peace Prize include former Senegalese President Macky Sall, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina, Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine co-developer Dame Sarah Catherine Gilbert, and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. The award continues to spotlight transformative leaders in various fields.
In addition to Jonathan, three individuals will receive the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize. They include Patrick Awuah Jr., Founder and President of Ashesi University in Ghana; Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen; and Wanjira Mathai, Regional Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute. Their contributions span education, global advocacy, and environmental sustainability.
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Chair of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee and former President of the European Commission, made the official announcement of the laureates. The event will celebrate their impact on world peace and human progress.
The Sunhak Peace Prize was established in 2015 by Hak Ja Han Moon, who leads an interreligious and international movement for peace. The foundation has consistently honoured individuals who address pressing global challenges through the core values of human rights, conflict resolution, and environmental conservation.
The 2025 award ceremony in Seoul will recognize Jonathan and the other laureates for their outstanding contributions to peace. Their work serves as a testament to the power of diplomacy, leadership, and humanitarian service in shaping a better world.
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