The award was given to Kalla and Ralahalu by WAY deputy chairman and Central Executive Council`s Chairman of the Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI) Ahmad Doli Kurnia here on Saturday in connection with World Youth Forum on Peace and Harmony.
Ahmad Doli Kurnia the award was given to Jusuf Kalla because the former vice president was considered an important figure who had a great contribution in peace process following the conflicts in Ambon, Maluku, Poso in Central Sulawesi, and Sampit in Central Kalimantan, and Nangroe Aceh Darusalam in Aceh.
And for Ralahalu, Doli said the former was a hard-working regional leader with a capability to overcome three-year sectarian conflicts in Maluku from 199-2002 and a communal clash in Ambon on September 11, 2011.
Doli said the men of peace award for Kalla and Ralahalu was the first from the World Assembly of Youth since the organization was established in 1943.
"This is the first ever award from WAY to former Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu," Doli said, adding that the organization would present the similar award to the world figures who contributed in various fields for peace and welfare of the community.
On Saturday, Governor Ralahalu officially opened the "World Youth Forum on Peace and Harmony" in Ambon.
Organized by the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), the two-day meeting is attended by around 100 members of the National Committee of Indonesian Youths (KNPI) and eight foreign youths representing Timor Leste, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Russia, and the Netherlands.
Ralahalu on the occasion expressed high appreciation to the KNPI central executive board and the World Assembly of Youth which had chosen Maluku as the event`s host.
The governor also welcomed the presence of foreign youths at the meeting to discuss concrete steps to maintain peace because he believed security conditions in Ambon were getting more conducive after a communal clash on September 11, 2011.
"I am very grateful for the presence of youths from Timor Leste, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Russia, and the Netherlands in Ambon. Your presence here shows that security in Maluku is quite conducive," Ralahalu said.
(O001)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
