Miss Supranational Forum: Leprosy Session

Mr. Andre Sleigh, Miss Supranational Creative Director, members of the national associations of persons affected by leprosy, and participants. First of all, I would like to express my congratulations on this successful Forum and also to thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak about my fight against leprosy.

My encounter with leprosy goes back half a century when I visited a leprosy hospital which my father built in south Korea accompanying my father. As I stood at the entrance, I was speechless at seeing what I had never known to exist. The patients were all throwing despairing looks having lost all hope. Their wounds from leprosy were filled with pus. I was still young then and I was shocked to see that there were actually people who were suffering under unjust discrimination just because they were affected by leprosy. As I turned to look at my father, there he was affectionately embracing the patients.

It was then and there that I made my determination to succeed my father’s work and to devote myself to free the world of leprosy. Since then, I have travelled to leprosy sites in more than 120 countries even from jungles to deserts and to solitary islands in the distant oceans.

As you know, today leprosy is a curable disease when detected and diagnosed early and promptly treated. Medicine is available free throughout the world. Furthermore, in 2010, a UN resolution on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members was unanimously adopted by then 192 member countries at the General Assembly. Yet, even now this serious human rights issue of discrimination and stigma continue to be deeply rooted and unattended to in our contemporary society.  

As the fight against discrimination and stigma continued I had an opportunity to meet with Miss Brazil and Miss India 2 years ago. I was deeply impressed seeing them listening attentively to the voices of persons affected by leprosy and dedicating themselves to work for the socially oppressed people. There is no doubt that accurate knowledge delivered to the world, in good faith, by socially influential people like them will raise the awareness about leprosy. I recognize their work highly as it will have a huge impact on the realization of a leprosy-free world.

Dear participants, there will be a panel discussion on the theme of ‘driving positive change in society’ after this. The two panelists among others are the representatives from the national associations of persons affected by leprosy from Brazil and India. I hope you will listen to the voices of those who are suffering daily from groundless discrimination and prejudice and think of how you yourselves can contribute. Your collaboration will be a great driving force in improving their lives. At the same time, I am sure your actions will be a cherished experience in your own life. Let us together work towards a leprosy-free world. Thank you.

＊This video message is available at The Nippon Foundation YouTube.