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2011 Gusi Peace Prize honors service toward global harmony. On November 24, the ceremony
for the prestigious Gusi Peace Prize was held at the Philippine International Convention
Center in the capital Manila to honor 20 outstanding individuals for their contributions of respect
for human life and dignity.
(All in English) Emanuel Jones – US Senator; Gusi laureate
(M): You can only think about what you’ve done in your life that could have been meaningful
that someone else would notice, that would give them cause to certainly nominate you
for such an award as this. So I am very, very grateful.
Phongsavath Boupha – Laotian Minister, Head of the Presidential Office; Gusi laureate
(M): I’m very happy that the Gusi Peace Prize appreciates my contribution to international
diplomacy. I hope to continue to work together, because we are neighbors we should have a
peaceful coexistence.
VOICE: This year's laureates included Laotian Minister and Head of the Presidential Office,
Phongsavath Boupha; Belgium's Secretary General and Treasurer of the World Federation of Consuls
Aykut Eken; vegetarian founder of the City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, Dr. Jagdish
Gandhi; former Interpol President Norman Inkster from Canada; US Senator Emanuel Jones; Turkish
film director Omar Zulfu Livaneli; Jamaican humanitarian Reverend Father Richard Ryan
Ho Lung; former President of Seychelles, Sir James R. Mancham; Russian economics analyst,
Professor Victor Medikov; Austrian solar power researcher, Roland Mosl; Russian author Vladimir
Megre; Governor of West Bengal, India, Shri Mayankote Kelath Narayanan; former President
of Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli; Philippine architect Felino Palafox, Jr.; Bhutan’s Minister of
Education Thakur S. Powdyel; former Liberian President Dr. Amos C. Sawyer; US President
and Chair of the One World Institute, Drs. Yolanda and Thomas K. Stern, respectively;
Colombian journalist Diana Uribe; and Thai educator and Buddhist leader, Phra Maha Vudhijaya
Vajiramedhi.
Sir James R. Mancham – Former President of the Republic of Seychelles; Gusi laureate
(M): The total budget of the world, collective budget for defense, is 30 times more than
what the world is spending on human resource development. All this money could be spent
in building schools, reservoirs, hospitals, etc.
Shri Mayankote Kelath Narayanan - Governor of West Bengal, India; Gusi laureate (M):
Without peace you can’t prosper.
VOICE: Among past distinguished honorees of the Gusi Peace Prize is Supreme Master Ching
Hai, who was invited to this year’s ceremony by the founder of the Gusi Peace Prize charitable
foundation and former Philippine Ambassador, The Honorable Barry Gusi. Although Supreme
Master Ching Hai was unable to attend, guests were able to enjoy a video presentation of
her peace message, which was shown during the opening of the Welcome Dinner before the
ceremony.
FM_PH_Gusi news_Interview_Gusi Family.mpg Barry Gusi (M): Gladly, I admire, recognize,
and honor and respect Supreme Master Ching Hai and her organization. And rest assured
that in many more years to come, we will be joining, hand by hand, the work for peace,
unity, and to continue to support and to promote the vegan way of living in this world.
Notably, the banquet featured a completely vegan menu designed by the hotel’s chefs,
highlighting the truth that peace begins on our plates.
Dr. Amos C. Sawyer – Former President of Liberia; Gusi laureate (M): Yes, I did eat
the food, it was delicious and it was vegetarian. It was sumptuous and delicious. I think it
is a wise thing to do.
Corazon PR Claudio – President of Earth Institute Asia, Philippines (M): I encourage
those who are viewing us now to shift also from eating a lot of meat to going into vegetarian
diet, not only for the environment, that we will be able to use less resources, but also
for our own health.
Dr. Yolanda Stern – President, The One World Institute; Gusi laureate (F): I think that
it’s the least destructive way of living. It shows a reverent respect for life. It’s
a peaceful way to exist. To promote world peace, you have to be a good example as an
individual.
VOICE: Congratulations and our admiration, all laureates of the 2011 Gusi Peace Prize,
for your noble ideals and endeavors. Beginning with our own compassionate ways of life, let
us strive together to bring about world peace�