Belgian, Pakistani win UN prize for peace

United Nations, Oct 21: A Belgian human rights activist and a Pakistani philanthropist have won a United Nation prize for promoting peace and non-violence.

Franois Houtart of Belgium and Abdul Sattar Edhi of Pakistan were awarded the '2009 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-Madanjeet Singh' prize.

According to Paris-headquarted UNESCO, the duo will share a prize money of $10,000 and receive the award on the 'International Day for Tolerance' on Nov 16, 2009.

Sources said, Houtart won the award for his contribution to the advancement of the inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue, while Edhi got the award for his active stand against extremism and support for humanitarian efforts.

Previous laureates include Myanmar Nobel Peace Prize laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen.

OneIndia News