This year, the 38th Niwano Peace Prize will be awarded to the Venerable Shih Chao-hwei of Taiwan in recognition of her work in peace building through her safeguarding of all forms of life, promotion of gender ethics and gender equality, and her approach to open-minded dialogue with different religious leaders and social groups.
As a leading social advocate in Taiwan, Shih has successfully campaigned on a wide range of issues, including gender equality, animal rights and nuclear power, among others. She currently teaches religious studies at Hsuan Chuang University as a professor and is the founder of Buddhist Hong-shi College.
“I am humbled to be among the other pioneering figures who have bravely and diligently committed themselves toward the well-being and harmony of our planet. And I vow to steward and carry forth this legacy with all my devotion and effort,” Shih wrote in her acceptance letter.