BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DECEMBER 3RD, 2016 (PRESS SEC) — The students and staff of Lyceum of the Philippines University are still talking about Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris’ visit to their school on Thursday, November 24th, 2016, one day after he received the Gusi Peace Prize for Outstanding Statesmanship. Dr. Harris accepted the highly coveted award in Manila, Philippines.
The student who chaired the forum with the Gusi Peace Prize Laureates on the university’s Manila campus two Thursdays ago said, “Today, the word ‘honoured’ is not enough to describe how overwhelmed we are to be graced by such outstanding people coming from various disciplines.”
The Student Chair of the Gusi Forum added that, “The Gusi Peace Prize’s main objective is to give recognition through the conferment of awards of excellence and distinction to individuals or groups worldwide who have distinguished themselves as brilliant exemplars of society or who contributed towards the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity.”
He then introduced the Gusi Peace Prize Laureates who were seated at the front of the room, making special reference to the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. (The Honourable Ian Patches Liburd, Minister of Public Infrastructure et al., who accompanied the Honourable Prime Minister to the Philippines, was extended the honour of being seated with the Laureates.)
“Today, fellow Lyceans [students of Lyceum of the Philippines University], please help me welcome the men behind the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation and its 2016 awardees. Please let’s show our beloved guests the unique hospitality of the Filipinos by giving them a round of applause as I call them one by one…
“…And you’ve met the first to arrive early this morning, our beloved Prime Minister from St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Timothy Harris,” the Student Chair said. This remark elicited the heartiest applause, which was a foretaste of the standing ovation that came after Dr. Harris’ stirring speech to the students.
In introducing Prime Minister Harris to the podium to give his speech, the Student Chair said, “Our next speaker, of course, one of our proud favourites, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Timothy Harris!”
Addressing the university students, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis said, “You have a beautiful country, and you are hospitable and beautiful people, and as the young people you are the future of the Philippines and we know that you can take your country to another level of development and growth, so give yourselves a round of applause as future leaders of your beautiful country.”
Dr. Harris also told the audience that, “We have come to you as [Gusi Peace Prize] Laureates, and each of us have made a contribution to the world in medicine, in public life, in education, you name it, and the question you must ponder is ‘What contribution will you as students in your country, the Philippines, make to the rest of the world?’”
Prime Minister Harris continued: “We want to encourage you to learn to give…it’s not just about receiving from your teachers and from your friends and from your parents, it’s about what will you give back in return, and you will begin to recognize how much more beautiful it is to give than to receive.”
Dr. Harris, the popular, six-time elected Member of Parliament who has served about 20 years at the governmental and ministerial levels, received the prestigious Gusi Peace Prize in the Outstanding Statesmanship category on Wednesday, November 23rd. The Gusi Peace Prize, Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize, is known as the Award for Great Achievers of the World.
When Prime Minister Harris finished his acceptance speech at the Gusi Peace Prize International 2016 Annual Awards Night two Wednesdays ago, one of the hosts said, “Thank you very much, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. You truly inspire us in public service, which is servant leadership.” She then addressed the 5,000 distinguished guests, saying: “You have to be a servant first.”
