Share Links in WeChat Moments
Open WeChat, switch to the Discover tab from the bottom, and scan the code to share.
Copy Success!
Media

K. Wah News &
Feature Stories

LUI Che Woo Prize — Prize for World Civilisation
Prize Presentation Ceremony 2017 held in Hong Kong In promotion of Positive Energy, Benevolence and Harmony

03 Oct 2017

The second Prize Presentation Ceremony of “The LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation” (“the Prize”) was held in Hong Kong on 3 October for the Sustainability Prize, Welfare Betterment Prize and Positive Energy Prize. Over 1,000 guests, including government officials, academics, religious leaders, consuls, business leaders, and members of local and international media, attended this grand ceremony to honour the laureates and to show harmony promoted by the Prize.

The Hon. Tung Chee-hwa, Vice Chairman of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (“CPPCC”); The Hon. Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; have kindly consented to present the esteemed prizes alongside Dr Lui Che-woo, Founder of the Prize. Xie Zhenhua, China’s special representative for climate change and winner of the Sustainability Prize was joined by representatives of Landesa and The International Paralympic Committee (the “IPC”), respective winners of the Welfare Betterment Prize and the Positive Energy Prize, at the ceremony to receive the prizes.

Officiating guests praised laureates’ contributions to world civilization

Dr Lui Che-woo, Founder & Chairman of the Board of Governors cum Prize Council of the Prize, hailed the three laureates of the second LUI Che Woo Prize from different countries as distinguished role models in their respective fields. “They dedicate their utmost efforts for the cause of a better future for mankind, impressing not only through their brilliant contributions to the advancement of world civilisation, but also by showing a strong spirit of “gratefulness”, “unity” and “harmony,” commented Dr Lui. “I plead for your continued support of the LUI Che Woo Prize to share our vision, so that this seed will continue to grow and foster more positive energy for the realisation of a peaceful and loving world,” he concluded.

Dr Lui Che-woo, Founder & Chairman of the Board of Governors cum Prize Council of the Prize

The Hon. Mrs Carrie Lam highlighted the importance of upholding core values at a time of pressing and diverse challenges for the world, such as climate change, poverty, the rise of extreme politics and armed conflict. She praised the Prize for choosing areas of focus highly relevant to today’s situation, namely prevention of climate change, alleviation of poverty, and promotion of harmony among diverse groups, and applauded the contributions made by the laureates to the world in the respective areas.

The Hon. Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of HKSAR

Laureates are committed to the pursuit of well-being for mankind

Founded in 2015, the Prize is awarded in three categories: the Sustainability Prize, the Welfare Betterment Prize and the Positive Energy Prize.

Xie Zhenhua was awarded the LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 in the Sustainability category with a special focus on “Prevention of Climate Change” for his pivotal role in the international lobbying leading to the successful conclusion of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and his efforts in championing the prevention of climate change in China. As head of the Chinese delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference for 10 consecutive years since 2007, Mr. Xie has played an instrumental role in the multilateral negotiations on climate change which have concluded with positive results through his patient and intelligent efforts. Since 1993, Mr. Xie has successively led the efforts of the State Environmental Protection Agency (later the State Environmental Administration) and the National Development and Reform Commission in environmental protection, energy conservation and pollution reduction, the policies he devised, advocated and implemented have had an enormous impact on the prevention of global climate change and become models for other nations.

LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 Sustainability Prize Laureate - XIE Zhenhua

Landesa, laureate of the LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 in the Welfare Betterment category with a special focus on “Alleviation of Poverty”, is known for its advocacy of the idea of “land to the tiller,” with the aim of eliminating poverty in the world by safeguarding land rights for some 3.4 billion people among the world’s poorest population. Over the past 50 years, it has succeeded in securing land rights for more than 120 million families living in extreme poverty in over 50 countries, in many cases including women as beneficiaries. Founded in 1967, Landesa is based in Seattle, U.S. with offices in China and India. Through cooperation with governments of developing countries, Landesa is actively involved in the formulation and implementation of land-related laws, policies and projects.

LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 Welfare Betterment Prize Laureate - Landesa

The LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 in the Positive Energy category, with the “Promotion of Harmony among Diverse Groups” as its Specific Area of Focus, was awarded to The International Paralympic Committee, an organisation which prides itself in the mission of promoting para-sports, uniting Para-athletes around the world and encouraging participation in international sporting events, thereby correcting past biases towards the disabled and making Paralympics a symbol of social inclusion and compassion. The IPC has fostered positive energy of epic proportions by igniting hope and turning impossibilities into possibilities for countless people. Through the excellent performances of Para-athletes over the years, the IPC has also succeeded in breaking barriers and creating a more inclusive society that celebrates a resilient spirit against adversity and challenges that we all share.

LUI Che Woo Prize 2017 Positive Energy Prize Laureate - International Paralympic Committee 

Citations of Laureates

Mr Xie Zhenhua, Sustainability Prize Laureate

“I am extremely honoured to have been named for this year’s LUI Che Woo Prize in the Sustainability category. There is still a long way to go for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the realisation of sustainable development on a global basis. In manifestation of the spirit of the Prize, I will donate the full amount of the prize money to Tsinghua University Education Foundation for applications in public welfare projects relating to the prevention of climate change and the promotion of an eco-friendly culture, so that ongoing contributions could be made for the benefit of sustainable development and the well-being of our future generations.”

Mr Chris Jochnick, President and CEO of Landesa, representing Landesa, Welfare Betterment Prize Laureate

Sir Philip Craven, President of International Paralympic Committee, remarked: “I would just want to say how proud I am of what the IPC and Paralympic Movement has achieved to date. The IPC is no longer seen as an organisation for the disabled, but as a hugely respected and credible international sports organisation that has enriched the lives of millions around the world. Thanks to this prize, we can do even more to show to the world that, with positive energy, absolutely anything is possible in life.”

Sir Philip Craven, President of International Paralympic Committee (IPC), representing IPC, Positive Energy Laureate

Mr Chris Jochnick, President and CEO of Landesa, said: “I am much honored to accept on behalf of Landesa the Welfare Betterment Prize of the LUI Che Woo Prize. While Landesa is receiving the Prize specifically for its work on poverty alleviation in the ‘betterment of the welfare of mankind’ category, we think that work on land rights – our focus – actually spans all three of the Prize’s noble objectives. There is still much work to be done to strengthen land rights around the world, and I invite you to join a growing movement around land rights to change the world.”

The call for positive energy resonates with 80 young musicians performing for the ceremony

More than 80 young musicians from Music for Our Young Foundation (MOY), together with the Civil Aid Service (CAS) Band, delivered a captivating performance under the baton of Mr. Gordon Siu, founder of MOY. As well as the charm of “East Meeting West”, the blend of traditional music instruments was a brilliant showcase of also the evergreen, sustaining Chinese culture. MOY is a charitable organisation whose aim is to inspire hard work and aspirations among youngsters through musical training, which is perfectly in tune with the spirit of positive energy advocated by the Prize.

Specific Areas of Focus of LUI Che Woo Prize 2018:

Prize Category

Specific Area of Focus

Rationale

Sustainability Prize

Development of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is not only vast but inexhaustible. It improves public health by reducing air and water pollution from coal and natural gas plants, decrease premature mortality and significantly reduce overall healthcare costs. They are not prone to market price fluctuations and are relatively stable over time.

Welfare Betterment Prize

Reduction of the Impacts of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters cause mass and catastrophic destruction and bring hazards and poverty problem to suffered region which hinder the welfare of mankind.

Achievements in disasters risk reduction could strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response and recovery. They are also beneficial to civilisation by reduce the threat of destruction toward historic sites.

Positive Energy Prize

Elimination of Illiteracy

Education is the tool of achieving all developmental goals for better human mankind, including women’s empowerment, reduce child mortality and hunger, poverty alleviation and spur economic growth. It allows every human being to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a better mankind.

Background of the LUI Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation

On 24 September 2015, Dr Lui Che-woo launched the “LUI Che Woo Prize - Prize for World Civilisation” (“the LUI Che Woo Prize” or “the Prize”) which is an annual, first of its kind, international, cross-sector and innovative award for advancing world civilisation and inspiring people to build a more harmonious world. It aims to recognize and honour individuals or organisations all over the world for outstanding contributions in advancing welfare of mankind and encourages continuation of that work in three objectives: sustainable development of the world, betterment of the welfare of mankind and promotion of positive life attitude and enhancement of positive energy. The recipients are not being limited to academics and scientists. The LUI Che Woo Prize recognizes accomplishments beneficial to mankind and also encourages them to keep up the momentum and inspire others to build a better world together.