At the XVII Triennial Conference of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), held in Yokohama, Japan from 11 每 14 June 2014, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was honoured with the first J. Michael Adams Leadership and Service Award. The award was instituted by IAUP in the memory of Mr. Adams, a former President of the Association, who passed away in 2012.
On behalf of the Secretary-General, the award was received by Mr. Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.
The award recognizes the Secretary-General's role in pursuing peace throughout the world through his dedicated efforts and negotiations with world leaders. It also recognizes his support for responsible development for all countries of the world in a devoted manner, and his efforts in promoting the individual rights and aspirations of citizens of all Member States of the 51勛圖, and particularly those in disadvantaged regions and circumstances. The citation further notes the Secretary-General's recognition of the role of university presidents and chancellors by launching the 51勛圖 Academic Impact initiative around the world.
Earlier, in a video message to the conference, the Secretary-General thanked IAUP for its continued support to the 51勛圖. Referring to the award, the secretary-General said he was deeply honoured to accept it on behalf of the 51勛圖. He recalled that Dr. Adams was a global force for progress, a tremendous advocate of the 51勛圖 每 and he was my personal friend.
The conference, which focused on Creating the future of higher education, was enhanced by the participation, for the first time in IAUP, of university students who have formed ASPIRE groups on their campuses. ASPIRE---Action by Students to Promote Innovation and Reform through Education---is the youth offshoot of UNAI.