'Nobel Peace Prize Winners World Summit' to be Held in Pyeongchang, Gangwon in December

12.12~14 Domestic and International University Students and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates' Forum on 'Peace Discourse'

Photo materials [World Summit Secretariat]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] A platform where domestic and international university students meet Nobel Peace Prize laureates to discuss peace discourse will be held in Gangwon Province this December.

Gangwon Province announced on the 4th that "the 18th Nobel Peace Prize Laureates World Summit will be held for three days from December 12 to 14 in Pyeongchang, the host city of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics."

The 'Nobel Peace Prize Laureates World Summit' was established by the late Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his contributions to ending the Cold War, reducing the arms race, and democratizing Eastern Europe, with the goal of contributing to world peace through Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

Since its first event in Rome, Italy in 1999, it has been held almost annually in major cities worldwide and is one of the important events that globally encourage participation in peace and humanitarian actions.

This year, under the theme "Stronger Together," the summit is composed of panel discussions and forums, speeches by Nobel laureates, youth events, and peace-related cultural activities, emphasizing peace culture and serving as a bridge for youth.

Participants plan to present new visions for peace and conflict resolution aimed at improving inter-Korean relations and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula and worldwide.

In particular, the 'Leading by Example Leader Program,' in which young people participate alongside Nobel laureates, is an educational program that enables choosing peace instead of conflict, empathy instead of hatred, and an open mind instead of narrow-mindedness.

The World Summit Secretariat stated, "Although Gangwon Province remains divided between the South and the North, suffering various consequences of war such as separated families and landmines, it has become a representative symbol of peace and humanity through the successful hosting of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics," explaining the reason for selecting the venue for this World Summit.

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Province, said, "Gangwon Province, as the site of the fiercest battles of the Korean War, has risen above the pain of division and war and now dreams of peace. It is very meaningful that Nobel Peace Prize laureates come to seek ways to promote human peace."

Sim Jae-guk, Mayor of Pyeongchang County, said, "We are pleased to host the World Summit in Pyeongchang, where the 2018 Winter Olympics that moved the world were held, and we will continue to strive to spread world peace and the Olympic spirit without forgetting the valuable dedication and efforts of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates."

Ekaterina Zagladina, Secretary-General of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates World Summit, said, "With the participation of Nobel Peace Prize laureates, our goal is to promote dialogue for peace on the Korean Peninsula and worldwide in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, and Korea, and to open a diverse and active platform for dialogue in our society."

Meanwhile, the World Summit Secretariat plans to declare Pyeongchang a peace city in recognition of its contribution to peace.