May 20, 2019
As we announced earlier this year, Dr. Lederach, HU Senior Fellow and Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding at the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, was selected to receive the 36th Niwano Peace Prize, an annual award that honors and encourages those who are devoting themselves to interreligious cooperation in the cause of peace.
Accompanied by his family, Dr. Lederach attended several ceremonies in Japan to accept the prestigious award. The series of events began in Tokyo with a welcome dinner hosted by the Reverend Nichiko Niwano, Honorary President of the Niwano Peace Foundation. Dr. Lederach then attended an official presentation ceremony where he was presented the award and medal, which was followed by a press conference and series of media interviews. While in Tokyo, he also met with 150 students and professors during a day of presentations at the headquarters of Rissho Kosei-kai, a worldwide Buddhist organization founded in Japan. Dr. Lederach and his family then traveled to Kyoto for additional meetings and media interviews.
This week-long celebration and the dignitaries, academics and peace leaders who participated, helped to further recognize Dr. Lederach’s lifelong commitment to building peace.
We could not be more honored to work alongside Dr. Lederach, who is so deserving of this recognition.