5. Vienna Seminar of Nobel Laureates

Peace politics and human rights

The fifth Vienna Seminar of Nobel Laureates was launched on November 3, 2010, with a ceremony / Wiener Vorlesung at Vienna City Hall. Mohamed ElBaradei, José Ramos-Horta, Unni Karunakara (Médecins Sans Frontières), and Melissa Fleming (UNHCR) delivered lectures on “Policy of Peace and Human Rights”. Nobel laureate Betty Williams also participated in the subsequent panel discussion.

On November 4, 2010, the Nobel laureates gave lectures at the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna.

The seminar concluded with the event “Policy of Peace and Economic Success” in the Sky Lounge of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Additionally, the Youth Peace Seminar took place on November 2nd and 3rd, 2010. Here, young people between the ages of 16 and 25 had the opportunity to develop innovative approaches to “Peace and Human Rights” and gain fresh inspiration for their projects.

The members of the Scientific Advisory Board in 2009 were Emil Brix, Thomas Mayr-Harting und Wolfgang Petritsch.

Nobel Laureates 2010

Mohamed ElBaradei

Mohamed ElBaradei was born in Cairo in 1942. Together with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for his efforts against the misuse of nuclear energy and for ensuring maximum safety standards in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Mohamed ElBaradei studied law in Cairo and at the New York University School of Law. He worked as a legal adviser in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1980, he joined the United Nations in the International Law Program at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.

From 1997 to 2009, Mohamed ElBaradei served as the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

José Ramos-Horta

José Ramos-Horta was born in Dili in 1949. In 1996, he, along with Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his active commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution in the East Timor conflict.

He studied international law at The Hague Academy of International Law and pursued Peace Studies at Antioch University. José Ramos-Horta was among the founders of the Associação Social Democrática Timorense (ASDT), which later evolved into the FRETILIN party. He served as the permanent representative of FRETILIN at the United Nations and advocated for the independence of East Timor.

When the United Nations assumed administration of East Timor in 1999, Ramos-Horta returned to his homeland. In 2002, he assumed the role of Foreign Minister, and in 2006, he became the Prime Minister. Since 2007, José Ramos-Horta has held the position of President of East Timor.

Betty Williams

Betty Williams, born in Belfast in 1943, shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 with Mairead Corrigan for their efforts in promoting peace in Northern Ireland.

She attended St. Dominic’s Grammar School and subsequently worked as a secretary at a consulting firm. While in the United States, she also served as a visiting professor of political science and history at Sam Houston State University in Texas.

Together with Mairead Corrigan, Betty Williams organized nationwide peace demonstrations in 1976 and went on to establish the group Women of Peace, which later evolved into the Community of Peace People.

Betty Williams remains an advocate for international peace projects and, in 1997, she founded the World Centers of Compassion for Children International. The first Center of Compassion for Children, designed to provide medical aid and education to children in conflict zones, was established in Southern Italy.

Médecins Sans Frontières / Unni Karunakara

Médecins Sans Frontières were founded in 1971 in answer to the war in Biafra. The organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for its international humanitarian work.

MSF is a private, independent organization and provides medical care to people in conflict areas and war zones. This also includes food and vaccination programs, building hospitals and training of local personnel. In addition, MSF regard “Witnessing”, an act in which they call attention to peoples in need, to be an important part of their work.

MSF is an international network with subsidiaries in 19 countries, headquartered in Geneva. Unni Karunakara has been President of Médecins Sans Frontières since June 2010.

UNHCR / Melissa Fleming

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) refers to both a function and a department within the United Nations (UN). UNHCR was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 and 1981.

UNHCR was established by the UN General Assembly in 1951. Since 2003, UNHCR has had a mandate in the UN General Assembly and currently provides protection to approximately 21 million people.

UNHCR's responsibilities include not only the legal protection of refugees but also resettlement in asylum and third countries. The organization is now present in 110 countries, and António Guterres has been leading the organization since 2005.

Melissa Fleming serves as the UNHCR Spokesperson and Head of Communications.

Commissioned composition

Judith Unterpertinger

Born in 1977 in Hall/Tirol; working as a composer, pianist, and performance artist. Exploring the realization of musical-performative architectures and engaging with mechanical, emotional, and urban states of being. Investigating the interplay between different arts such as music, dance, and visual arts. Catalog includes ensemble pieces, short operas, sound installations, photographs/drawings, and performances.

Received composition and performance commissions from Janus Ensemble, ORF, Klangspuren Schwaz, Festival EchtFalsch, 4020Festival, Soundings London, Linz09, Tanzzone3, e_may, Chicago Sound Map, and others.

Commissioned composition "Objects" for voice, bassoon, and cello.

Performers:
Claudia Cervenca, voice
Karoline Pilz, voice
Maria Gstättner, bassoon
Melissa Coleman, cello