Laos is to receive a World Peace Award recognising its contributions to international peace and the country's ability to maintain stability.
Lao Peace and Solidarity Committee President, Mr Khamphan Simmalavong, on Tuesday said Laos would receive the award from the World Peace Council.
“We will receive the award because we have met two conditions of the council that our country can maintain security and stability and always contributes in a positive way to international peace,” he said.
“We expect the award ceremony to coincide with the International Day of Peace on September 21. Lao President Choummaly Xayasone will receive the award on behalf of the nation.”
The award has previously been awarded to India , China and Indonesia .
It will be a 3.5 metre gong, which the government plans to house at the Patuxay monument in a traditional, Lao-style hall designed by the National Faculty of Fine Arts.
The committee plans to organise lectures and exhibitions in Laos to celebrate the award on September 21.
Lao Journalists' Association Vice President, Mr Somsanouk Mixay, said Laos had fought conflicts in the region when it was necessary to the pursuit of peace. The country had also confronted aggressors, and as a result the Lao people were secure, lived in peace and enjoyed development progress, he said.
“This is all part of our fight for peace, to ensure there is security and stability in our country,” said Mr Somsanouk, who is also a member of the committee.
Lao Peace and Solidarity Committee was created in 1983 and Mr Khamphan is its third president, having been appointed in April this year.
The committee is a division of the Party's Foreign Relations Committee and has members from the Lao Trade Union, Lao People's Revolutionary Youth Union, Lao Women's Union, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lao Journalists' Association and retired state officials.
It aims to strive for peace in the region and the world, promote greater solidarity, create better conditions for development, increase cooperation in the international community and protect the country through peaceful means.
The World Peace Council (WPC) was formed in 1949 to promote peaceful coexistence and nuclear disarmament. Its 2008 congress was attended by 120 peace groups from 76 countries.
A World Peace Council delegation visited Laos in September last year and met with the committee. The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN as an annual observance of global non-violence.
By Panyasith Thammavongsa (Latest Update July 31, 2008)
Hmong's problems have not been yet solved. Are you sure Laos is a peaceful country in the world ?
Can u name a place that is 100% peaceful? A place where there is no single crime, no fighting, no unrest....
Come on, be reasonable. Laos is doing her best to be a peacful country. Laos has met the standard in receiving the award so there's no need to criticise or are you JEALOUS?
I greed with your view and what u said .I am so pround to hear that our counctry was recognized by the World peace Organization savety just more tha 35 Years
i am alao people, live in abroad on business ...,i have been gone to many countries in Euro ,sout America..., now i realized that living in our mother land is like stay at our home. living with our people is like living with our farmily with our friends.... am going back some day ,...oh ..so miss u
