 Suzanne Scholte |
Statement of Suzanne Scholte Regarding Acceptance of the Seoul Peace Prize
"I am deeply honored to have been selected by the Seoul Peace Prize Committee to receive the 2008 Seoul Peace Prize. To be recognized by such a distinguished group of Korean leaders who have been champions in academia, government service, journalism and other fields for this prestigious and internationally recognized award, is truly humbling. It is also humbling to join alongside the previous laureates and to reflect on what this award symbolizes in promoting peace and harmony as was symbolized by the Seoul Olympic Games of 1988, which brought together more nations than ever before to participate in the Olympics.
I wish to accept this great honor on behalf of the people for which I have devoted much of my life: the North Korean defectors who are valiantly working for freedom, democracy and human rights for their homeland, and the Sahrawi refugees of Western Sahara, who are seeking self-determination and the right to live as a free people through peaceful and democratic means.
By recognizing my work through this award, you also honor them for they have inspired me in all my efforts and given me the strength and endurance to continue this work despite many trials, setbacks and difficulties. Those, however, are nothing compared to the enormous challenges and suffering the people of North Korea and Western Sahara face in their daily lives.
You also honor all those activists for human rights who, rather than seek popularity, fame and fortune, devote their lives to seeking freedom and justice for those who are enslaved. We are all driven by a simple belief that every human being whether born in Pyongyang or Seoul or in a refugee camp in the Sahara desert has the God-given right to freedom, human rights and dignity. World peace and harmony is achievable when these God-given rights are secure and all men and women can pursue their dreams without being enslaved by dictators, military juntas, or kings.
I thank Chairman Chul Seung Lee and all the members of the Seoul Peace Prize Committee for this tremendous honor and look forward to being with you in October.
Suzanne Scholte
President
Defense Forum Foundation
Seoul Peace Prize website http://www.seoulpeaceprize.or.kr/english/subm02.html
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