Music as a Force for Peace
July 2004
Banner photo: ©SEKAI BUNKA PHOTO
Community Builders Prize
Mr. de Klerk (second from right) at the GKI Community Builders Award conferral
Frederick W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, former presidents of South Africa and corecipients of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, were named the winners of the fourth Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builders Prize in recognition of their endeavors toward ending apartheid and the democratization of South African society. Mr. de Klerk’s award conferral took place on April 3 at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, while Mr. Mandela’s award will be presented later this year. The prize was established in 2001 by the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and the Gandhi Center for Reconciliation at Morehouse College. It is given to individuals who have promulgated the pacifistic ideals of Gandhi and King and who are deemed to be their worthy successors and exemplary leaders of global citizens.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. de Klerk stated that he was receiving the honor on behalf of all South Africans who have contributed to the country’s democratization process. He described the gesture of presenting the award to "a former leader of a government that was synonymous with apartheid and racial discrimination" as "a wonderful act of reconciliation, of building bridges to former enemies and opponents." Referring to South Africa’s historical lessons learned in the struggle against apartheid, he emphasized the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in search of lasting peace, factors which he believes are applicable to conflict resolution throughout the world. Forgiveness, he said, means not blindly shutting the door on the past but courageously taking constructive steps toward the future.
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