Sadako Ogata, 1997

Sadako Ogata at the World Economic Forum in 2008

Her mother was a grandchild of Inukai Tsuyoshi and was influenced by his liberal political attitude. She was born in Tokyo, attended the Catlin Gabel School, class of 1946, and graduated from University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, before studying at Georgetown University and its Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and earned a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1963. Ogata later taught international politics at Sophia University.

In 1994, she was awarded the Prize For Freedom by the Liberal International. On July 4, 1995, Ogata became the first female recipient of the Liberty Medal for efforts as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In 2005, Ogata received the World Citizenship Award from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Quotes

• ?If we ignore the plight of the refugees or the burden of the countries which have received them, I fear we will pay a heavy toll in renewed violence. Conditions must be created urgently to allow the refugees to go back and live in peace and tolerance in their own country.?

Liberty Medal acceptance speech, July 4, 1995^[1]

References

1. ↑ 1995 Speech Sadako Ogata - Liberty Medal - National Constitution Center