Letter concerning the nomination of Yohei Sasakawa for the Nobel Peace Prize

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Title

Letter concerning the nomination of Yohei Sasakawa for the Nobel Peace Prize

Date

December 18, 2012

Contributor

Author:
Vidlák, Martin
Recipient:
Wiesel, Elie

Summary

This letter, dated December 18, 2012, is from Martin Vidlak in Prague to Elie Wiesel. It conveys a posthumous message from the late President Vaclav Havel, expressing Havel's unfinished desire to nominate Yohei Sasakawa for the Nobel Peace Prize. The letter details Sasakawa's extensive humanitarian efforts, particularly his tireless work to eliminate leprosy not only as a medical issue but also as a human rights issue, which led to a UN General Assembly resolution in 2010. It highlights Sasakawa's broader humanitarian activism, including work on hunger in Africa, healthcare in developing countries, and assistance for marginalized and internally displaced ethnic minority people in Myanmar. The letter also mentions Sasakawa's role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Welfare of National Races in Myanmar and his co-founding of Forum 2000 with Havel and Wiesel in 1996. Vidlak requests Wiesel's support for Sasakawa's nomination to fulfill President Havel's wish.

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Origin:
Prague, Czech Republic
Destination:
515 Madison Avenue, Suite 1130, New York, NY, USA
Language:
English
Identifier:
EWG_1374_01_009-010
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