On 10 September 2019, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, the World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and the Government of Japan’s Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of Persons Affected by Leprosy, was conferred a Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, at the 2019 Traditional University Awards of the Ateneo de Manila University. Honorary degrees are bestowed upon persons who enjoy high reputation and recognition for their outstanding and indispensable achievements in their field.
The Chairperson of the Nippon Foundation was cited for his

“Four decades of work to eliminate leprosy and the discrimination that persons with leprosy endure [and] for his leadership in establishing networks among governments, academe, and civil society to address global humanitarian and development issues”

A luncheon was held to celebrate Chairperson Sasakawa’s achievement. Over 80 scholars and alumni, including those of the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS), graced the event and celebrated the inspiring success of the Nippon Foundation Chairperson to the world.