Sibal proposes first peace university in Asia

Paris, Jul 10: Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal met UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura and impressed upon him India's keenness for establishing the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Peace Education and Sustainable Development.

During the meeting in Paris on Thursday, Jul 9, Sibal said this proposed Category-I UNESCO institute should be a symbol of rich heritage and values of peace and diversity that India stands. He also pointed out that as this would be the first peace university of UNESCO to be established in the Asia Pacific region.

"The Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO had already started extensive consultations with member States of the Asia Pacific region," he added.

Sibal also thanked Matsuura for his support for installing a statue of Shri Aurobindo at the UNESCO Headquarters, which would be unveiled on September 16. He also thanked Matsuura for taking a keen interest in the commemoration programme envisaged for the 150th Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in 2011.

ANI