Thursday, October 11, 2001

Nobel laureates to discuss peace
Skiff Staff

The visiting Nobel Peace Prize Laureates are four examples of what one human can do to help all of humankind, said Jim Wright, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Four of the five living Nobel Peace Prize Laureates from the Americas will address student questions about peace tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Ed Landreth Hall Auditorium as part of the American Airlines Leadership for the Americas Congress.

The Nobel Prize is awarded annually for achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. Founder Alfred Nobel’s will be asked that one prize be given to a person who “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

Wright said there has never been a gathering of this magnitude before.

Larry Adams, associate provost for academic affairs, said Oscar Arias Sanchez, Jody Williams, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel and Norman Borlaug Rigoberta Menchú Tum, the fifth laureate from the Americas, was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict.

Each laureate will be given a brief introduction to explain their experiences and visions for the future, Wright said.

Wright said he will act as moderator as students ask questions. He said he will give priority to questions from students participating in the Congress. Wright said he hopes the event will be a conversation between students and the Laureates.

“I think it is a rare opportunity for students to have the privilege of hearing and asking questions,” Wright said. “At a time such as this when peace has broken down, it is timely (to discuss).”

Sanchez, former president of Costa Rica, won the peace prize in 1987 for his work in Central America which led to the peace accord signed in Guatemala that year.

Williams, coordinator for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines from the United States, was awarded the peace prize in 1997 with the campaign for their work toward the banning of anti-personnel mines.

Esquivel, a leader in non-violence and human rights from Argentina, won the peace prize in 1980 after being imprisoned, tortured and held without due process in Argentina for over 14 months.

Borlaug, former director of the National Wheat Program from Mexico, worked to increase the production and quality of wheat to help improve living conditions in developing countries.

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