Unveiling of LUI Che Woo Prize Marks a New Chapter in the Progress of World Civilisation

An international award totaling HK$60 million (around US$7.75 million) in Prize money to honour achievements which make the world a better and more sustainable place

HONG KONG, Sept. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The LUI Che Woo Prize - Prize for World Civilisation ('the Prize' or 'the LUI Che Woo Prize') today celebrated its official launch, by calling for nominations to be submitted for the Prize from around the world. The annual prize is the first of its kind to make a global call for a combination of a sustainable future, improvements in human welfare and a promotion of positive energy.

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Around 500 business leaders, academics, religious leaders, more than 20 consuls general, as well as local and international media gathered in Hong Kong for the event. Guests included Mr. K C Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong SAR; Ms. Qiu Hong, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong; Mr. Song Ru'an, Deputy Commissioner of the Commissioner's Office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR and Mr. Eddie Ng Hak-kim, Secretary for Education of Hong Kong SAR.

Founded by Dr. LUI Che Woo, a distinguished self-made entrepreneur, the Prize marks a sizable step in a lifelong mission to contribute good work and benevolence in society.

The LUI Che Woo Prize will recognise and honour achievements made by outstanding individuals or organisations. The laureate in each Prize Category will be presented with a cash award of HK$20 million (around US$2.56 million), a certificate and a trophy in the second half of 2016.

There will be three Prizes awarded annually, with a total of HK$60 million (around US$7.75 million) awarded to the awardees.

Dr. LUI Che Woo, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Governors cum Prize Council, said, "I'm more than excited to present The LUI Che Woo Prize - Prize for World Civilisation as a gift to the world. The Prize honours innovation and scientific advancements, as well as contributions to world civilisation and social harmony. This is a prize for people irrespective of their race, nationality, geography, culture or religion. In face of a challenging global economic and geopolitical environment, my wish is to deliver well-being to people and to create the conditions where goodness, beauty and harmony can thrive. I am doing this by launching a prize that embraces and promotes these values."

The LUI Che Woo Prize is cross-sector and consists of three Prize Categories. The Specific Area of Focus of each Prize Category will change every year. For the first Prize in 2016, nominations in these Specific Areas of Focus within each of the three Prize Categories can be submitted:

1.       Prize Category 1: Sustainable development of the world 
Specific Area of Focus: World Food Supply: Safety and Security

2.       Prize Category 2: Betterment of the welfare of mankind 
Specific Area of Focus: Treatment and/or control of epidemics, infectious diseases or chronic illnesses

3.       Prize Category 3: Promotion of positive life attitude  and enhancement of positive energy
Specific Area of Focus: Individuals or organisations whose behaviour and achievement inspire, energise and give hope to others

Along with Dr. LUI, the Prize Council also comprises prominent individuals including The Hon. Tung Chee-hwa, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Dr. James Wolfensohn and Dr. Rowan Douglas Williams.

Dr. Rice, former United States Secretary of State, said, "It is important for us to be optimistic that we can all do some good for the world. I'm glad to see the Prize is finally in place to recognise someone who has been an extraordinary leader and an inspiration, who can encourage new initiatives of contribution for the benefit of the well-being of mankind."

More than 1,000 universities, academic institutions and professional organisations will be invited to submit nominations. Each Prize awardee will be selected carefully by a three-tier structure, comprising the Prize Council, the Prize Recommendation Committee and the Selection Panels of the three Prize Categories. Nominations will be assessed by one of the three Selection Panels before being reviewed by the Prize Recommendation Committee.

The Prize Council is in charge of the final decision for choosing the Prize awardees from the recommended nominee list for each of the three Prize Categories. Members of the Prize Recommendation Committee include Prof. Lawrence J. Lau, Prof. Sir Colin Lucas, Dr. Mo Yan, Dr. Heather Munroe-Blum, Prof. Andrew Yao and Prof. Wen-hsin Yeh.

The LUI Che Woo Prize has its roots in traditional values of empathy, perseverance, love of humanity and harmony. The Prize is administered by LUI Che Woo Prize Limited ('Prize Company') and its Board of Governors comprises Dr. LUI, Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui, Prof. Frederick Ma Si-hang and Dr. Moses Cheng Mo-Chi. Dr. LUI has injected assets in the value of HK$2 billion into the Prize Company as its first funding to support the sustainable development and operation of the Prize.

The Prize is now open to global nominations from invited nominators, regardless of their race, religion or nationality. The LUI Che Woo Prize has the aim to bring together people from around the world and across cultures to work together for the betterment of the world.

About LUI Che Woo Prize

Founded by Dr. LUI Che Woo, the "LUI Che Woo Prize - Prize for World Civilisation" is an annual, first of its kind international cross-sector innovative award for advancing world civilisation and inspiring people to build a more harmonious world.  It aims to recognise and honour individuals or organisations all over the world with outstanding contributions and encourages the continuation of that work in three objectives: sustainable development of the world, betterment of the welfare of mankind and promotion of positive life attitude and enhancement of positive energy.

www.luiprize.org

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SOURCE LUI Che Woo Prize Limited

Ogilvy Public Relations: Victoria Ho, [phone], [email protected], http://www.luiprize.org