In the face of unprecedented climate crises and nuclear threats, a significant event was held to explore a 'planetary aesthetic' and new paths to peace. Kyung Hee Academy celebrated the 45th United Nations World Peace Day with a ceremony, awarding the second Miwon Peace Prize to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists (BAS), which has persistently raised awareness of existential risks to humanity and called for action towards peace.
On September 21, Kyung Hee University hosted the international conference titled 'Peace or Collapse: Aesthetic Pathway to Planetary Civilization' as part of the Peace BAR Festival (PBF) and the Miwon Peace Prize ceremony.
Key figures attended the event, including Chairman Cho In-won and Abbie Robe, a Harvard University professor, along with representatives from BAS, including President and CEO Alexandra Bell, emphasizing the importance of peace and solidarity.
World Peace Day: A Legacy from 45 Years Ago
The first part of the event began with a report from Kim Won-soo, a senior advisor at the Miwon Peace Institute and director of the Future Civilization Institute at Kyung Hee University.
World Peace Day was established by the 36th UN General Assembly in November 1981. The initiative traces back to a historic proposal made by the late Dr. Cho Yong-sik, founder of Kyung Hee Academy, during the 6th General Assembly of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) in June of the same year, where he passionately stated, 'Peace is more precious than improvement.'
To honor this contribution, the California State Senate unanimously adopted a resolution (SR113) on June 29, recognizing Dr. Cho's achievements. Senator Choi Seok-ho, an alumnus of Kyung Hee University, expressed in his congratulatory remarks, 'I hope Dr. Miwon's dream of peace is revived through the second Miwon Peace Prize, creating a new history of peace.'
Chairman Cho In-won addressed the audience with a speech titled 'New Conditions for Peace: The Future of Global Politics,' highlighting the grave realities facing humanity. He pointed to existential threats such as climate change, which threatens to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius, and over 12,000 nuclear warheads, stating, 'Existing political realities struggle to address global challenges beyond political interests.'
He proposed that 'when my heart and consciousness unite with global citizens, a new path of hope can be opened,' emphasizing the importance of a 'holistic world' and 'integrative politics.'
BAS Receives the Miwon Peace Prize for Warning of Existential Threats
The second part of the event featured the Miwon Peace Prize ceremony, where BAS was honored for its scientific warnings about existential threats to humanity.
The Miwon Peace Prize was established by Kyung Hee Academy to continue the legacy of Dr. Cho Yong-sik, who dedicated his life to peace activism. BAS is the second recipient of the award, following The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela in 2024.
Founded in 1945 by scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, including Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer, BAS has used the 'Doomsday Clock' as a powerful symbol to warn of the dangers posed by nuclear threats, climate change, and disruptive technologies. Currently, the clock indicates just 85 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to catastrophe.
Kim Won-soo, who announced the selection results, praised BAS for its 80-year history of advocating for peace through scientific discourse and for compelling global citizens and leaders to confront the realities of crisis.
Ban Ki-moon, the eighth UN Secretary-General and honorary elder of The Elders, congratulated BAS via a video message, stating, 'In a time when existential risks are more serious than ever, the philosophy of Miwon and the activities of organizations like BAS provide us with great hope and inspiration.'
During the ceremony, Chairman Cho presented diplomas, trophies, and prize certificates to BAS representatives, including President and CEO Alexandra Bell. In her acceptance speech, Bell emphasized, 'The danger indicated by the Doomsday Clock also signifies that humanity can take action. When all citizens ask the right questions and take action for peace, we can turn back the clock.'
Following the ceremony, a commemorative discussion titled 'Searching for Planetary Aesthetics' took place, featuring Chairman Cho In-won and Daniel Holtz, chair of the BAS Science and Security Committee, delving into the challenges and responsibilities facing humanity amid the climate crisis and civilizational transition.
Additionally, Kyung Hee Academy will host a large-scale peace concert titled 'Lovers in Paris in Kyung Hee: Love at 1.5 Degrees' at 7:30 PM in the Peace Hall, concluding the World Peace Day events. The concert will feature a fusion of classical music, popera, dance, and theater, conveying the message that understanding and solidarity in the era of climate crisis are the starting points for peace.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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