A country that upholds
the values of peace
by abolishing its army…
A president
who rescued thousands
of refugees’ lives…
A former US
vice president who brings
the world’s attention
to global warming…
A celebrity
who advocates
for human rights…
An animal lover
who works tirelessly
for the defenseless…
An international
organization
that provides
humanitarian aid
regardless
of national boundaries…
A worldwide
humanitarian agency
that protects human life
and alleviates suffering
(Red Cross)
These are among some of
the distinguished people,
countries
and organizations
in our present day society
that have made
a positive difference
on our planet through
their noble actions.
For the purpose
of recognizing
these caring actions,
and in response to
the reports about many
positive developments
in the world,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai founded
the Shining World
Leadership Award
in March 2006.
The pure crystal award
represents
the shining noble ideals
of the honored
individuals, nations
and organizations
whose pioneering work
and selfless dedication
have significantly
contributed to
the harmony and beauty
of our planet.
“Thank you
for this award
and most significantly,
thank you
for the work you’ve done
and are doing, and are
encouraging others to do
to awaken humanity
to its responsibility – to
live a compassionate life
and to do so in honoring
the spirit in all beings.”
The founder
of the Shining World
Leadership Award,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai,
is a world- renowned
spiritual leader,
humanitarian and artist,
who herself has brought
immense benefits
to the world through
her inspiring words
and shining example.
Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
own selfless service
and devotion to all beings
have been highly lauded
by world leaders
and governments.
She also brings love
around the world
where there is hate.
She brings hope where
there is despair, and
she brings understanding
where there is
misunderstanding.
We don't have
enough people
like the Supreme Master.
If we had somebody
like her in every country
in the world, we will
have eternal peace,
eternal love.
For decades,
Supreme Master
Ching Hai
has exemplified
unconditional love
through her worldwide
humanitarian work.
Love
your family members
wholeheartedly;
sacrifice for them
whenever necessary.
And to other members of
mankind just show
your love universally,
and help
whoever needs your help.
That is the way of love.
Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s
wisdom and compassion
have been a source of
inspiration for countless
people worldwide.
And she
further encourages
positive work through
the Shining World
Leadership Award.
Thank you,
Shining World Leaders!
The European Commission,
the unique
non-governmental
organization and
executive body
of the European Union,
has always been
at the forefront
of peace-building efforts,
humanitarian aid, and
constructive development.
The Delegation of
the European Commission
to Sri Lanka and
the Maldives, exemplifies
the organization’s
noble endeavors,
in particular by assisting
people and governments
with rehabilitation
from large-scale
natural disasters.
Sri Lanka emerged
from 25 years of conflict
and for the first time
in many years is unified.
The landscapes
are beautiful and
there is much potential
for continued peace
and prosperity.
The collaboration between
the European Union
and Sri Lanka
began in 1975
and over the decades
has expanded from
commercial agreements
to a wide range
of partnerships
in rural development,
community rehabilitation
in the northern
and eastern regions,
post-tsunami restoration,
as well as education
and culture.
The European Commission
Delegation at the present
manages €200 million
of ongoing
assistance programs
besides the emergency
relief funds provided by
European Union’s
humanitarian office.
These programs carry out
community regeneration,
infrastructural enhancement,
as well as
livelihood sustainability
to the internally displaced
and tsunami-affected
population.
In a recent interview
with Supreme Master
Television,
The Honorable
Mr. Bernard Savage,
current Ambassador
of the Delegation,
introduced
the general projects that
the European Commission
has been carrying out
in Sri Lanka.
First, he explains
the agency’s work in
post-conflict community
assistance in
the eastern region
of the country.
We have a large program
focusing on
Ampara District.
We have, for instance,
built community access
roads, we have a number
of livelihood projects.
There is a
Paddy Marketing Center
we built near Ampara.
There are a lot of
community work,
community halls,
community schools,
much smaller
than that in Vakarai.
And we also have
a major road project
which connects the south
of the country to the east.
And it’s in two phases.
The first phase
is already completed, and
the second phase will be
completed next year.
I’ve also recently
signed contracts
on behalf of
the European Commission
for similar types
of development
in Batticaloa and
Trincomalee districts.
So we have this focus
on the north and east.
Sri Lanka was the second
most affected country
by the December 2004
Indian Ocean tsunami,
in which 35,000 people
lost their lives and
nearly one million people
lost their homes.
The European Union
acted swiftly
in the aftermath
by dramatically increased
its aid to Sri Lanka among
other afflicted countries.
In addition to
the €42 million
in emergency donations
to Sri Lanka under the
European Commission’s
Humanitarian Assistance,
the European Commission
Delegation pledged
an additional €100 million
for post-tsunami
reconstructions
in the country.
Furthermore, to help with
the recovery process,
the European Commission
Delegation to Sri Lanka
was upgraded
to a full embassy
with an Ambassador
in 2005.
With this upgrade
the Delegation doubled
its staff members
and began to make
its decisions locally
in the capital of Colombo.
The Delegation worked
with Sri Lanka government
in launching
14 post-tsunami
recovery programs among
13 tsunami-affected
districts in the country.
By mid-2007,
more than 75%
of paddy cultivation land
was returned to use;
the rebuilding
of nearly 285 km
of the national highway
and another 5 major roads
was completed;
218 hospitals and clinics
were in reconstruction;
160 schools were rebuilt;
and 7 projects
handling water, waste,
and solar power
were benefiting
thousands of people...
I should also mention
the major contribution
we’ve made to
housing reconstruction,
there’s the North-East
Housing Reconstruction
program in lines with
the World Bank, where
we built a large number
of houses, not only
in the Eastern Province,
but also in the north.
Half of the 95,000 houses
destroyed
during the tsunami
were rebuilt by mid 2007.
These post-tsunami
community rehabilitation
efforts not only helped
the livelihoods of families
in Ampara and
nearby areas, but also
helped to secure peace
among different groups.
I think
the most important thing
for Sri Lanka
is to go forward,
while building a degree
of reconciliation
and harmony
between the communities.
This is why
the Eastern Province
is so important, because
it’s the one province
in the country where
the different communities
are roughly equally
represented, and
where the benefits of
the contributions we make.
We will return soon
with more about
the European Commission
Delegation in Sri Lanka.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Welcome back
to today’s presentation
featuring the Delegation
of European Commission
to Sri Lanka
and the Maldives,
an honored recipient
of the Shining World
Leadership Award from
Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
A major part of the
European Commission’s
assistance for
tsunami reconstruction
in Sri Lanka
is carried out through
the European
Union-Ampara Partnership
which focuses on
rebuilding the Ampara
and Batticaloa districts
in Eastern Province.
One leading project
of this partnership
is the reconstruction
of the school
Vakarai Maha Vidyalam
at Batticaloa.
Vakarai Maha Vidyalam
is the largest primary
and secondary school
located in the part of
the east coast of Sri Lanka
that was almost
entirely wiped out
by the 2004 tsunami.
The reconstruction of
Vakarai Maha Vidyalam
is part of
the European Union’s
Community Livelihood
Support Program
in Sri Lanka.
To reconstruct the school,
the European Commission
Delegation donated
€1.88 million
and collaborated
with the Sri Lankan
Ministry of Education
through
its implementing partner,
the International
Organization for Migration.
The Honorable
Mr. Bernard Savage,
Ambassador of
the Delegation, explained:
The Vakarai School was
a flagship project for us,
because the town
of Vakarai was
almost totally wiped out
by the tsunami.
I visited last week in fact,
and it was really
heart warming to see that:
to see the school, and
the number of the children
who are now
attending that school…
But more than that,
it’s also a focus
for the community.
It has become almost
a provincial focus, even
beyond Batticaloa District.
So it’s really
quite heartwarming,
and as I say,
the credit for that goes,
not only to
the European Commission
as an institution, but also
to the program officers
and the community which
has really invested itself
in the school.
The reconstruction
started in June 2008
and was completed
in the summer of 2009.
There are now
new permanent buildings
that offer 30 classrooms,
2 computer laboratories,
a library, music room,
science laboratory,
playground, and
an Assembly hall.
The school provides
education for nearly
a thousand primary
and secondary students
from grade 1 to 13.
At the opening ceremony
of Vakarai Maha Vidyalam,
Sri Lankan President
H. E. Mihinda Rajapaksa
called
the reconstruction work
“a commendable example
of international cooperation,
together with
the participation
of government,
non-government and
community organizations
irrespective of ethnic
or religious differences.”
Indeed, the reconstruction
of the school
Vakarai Maha Vidyalam
represents a beacon of hope
for the displaced children
and their future.
As the Honorable
Ambassador shared with us,
hope and peace are alive
in Sri Lankan
children’s hearts.
I’ve just come from
opening an exhibition of art
by children
from the north and east,
many of whom suffer
from physical handicap,
but also many of them
have been displaced
by the conflict.
And there’s
one single theme
running through all that,
and that’s hope
for the future, and
a gratitude for peace.
That’s two things
running through it,
but the two are very linked.
For setting
such an exemplary model
of leadership through
its assistance in Sri Lanka,
the Delegation
of European Commission
was honored with
the Shining World
Leadership Award from
Supreme Master Ching Hai.
Ambassador
Bernard Savage
accepted the award
on the delegation’s behalf.
“Honorable Sir,
It is with great pleasure
and gratitude
that we present to
the European Commission
the Shining World
Leadership Award.
This award is presented
in recognition of
your outstanding devotion
to humanity’s wellbeing,
and your
enlightened leadership
that provides hope
to the less fortunate and
nurtures young minds,
thus creating
a more prosperous and
harmonious world…”
“In recognition of
outstanding
humanitarian efforts
aiding tsunami recovery,
nurturing a positive
and prosperous future
for Sri Lanka, and
creating a brighter world
for humanity,
with sincere gratitude
for enlightened leadership,
wisdom and vision.”
Thank you very much.
In speaking
about the future,
Ambassador Savage
expressed his simple wish
for the return of children
to happiness and creativity.
The art exhibition
this morning
which we jointly financed
with a local NGO called
“Gods Own Children,”
we have
an annual competition
for children who are
in difficult situations.
The children do the artwork,
and we had about
ten thousand children
participating this year.
Ten thousand works of art
from children.
Every month,
one of the pictures,
that’s been selected
by the judges
of this competition.
So there’s a great deal of
enthusiasm, enthusiasm
from the children.
And we do it
to mark Children’s Day,
and I think that’s something
we’ll be continuing
into the future,
because it really is
quite heartwarming
to see the enthusiasm
from the participants.
As you can see,
it’s a beautiful country.
And there is hope
for the future,
and our objective
is to contribute to that.
Our respectful salute and
immense appreciation,
Honorable Ambassador,
and the
European Commission
Delegation to Sri Lanka
and the Maldives.
God bless your caring,
dedicated efforts
to rebuild livelihoods
and communities
for present and future
generations in Sri Lanka
and throughout the world.
Kind viewers,
thank you for joining us
on today’s program.
Now, please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television
for Words of Wisdom,
next after
Noteworthy News.
May all world citizens
enjoy peace and
neighborly kindness.