India proposes first peace university in South Asia

New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The first university for peace
and sustainable development in South Asia could be set up in
Delhi if India's proposal to the UNESCO is accepted.

UNESCO will be a partner in the establishment of this
institution which is proposed to be a top-grade centre of
studies in the areas of peace, development and conflict
resolution.

Union Human Resource Developement (HRD) Minister Kapil
Sibal will take up the issue with UNESCO authorities during
the World Conference on Higher Education in Paris. Sibal will
attend the conference on Wednesday.

"Sibal will take up with UNESCO the proposal to set up
a peace university in the capital," Minister of State for
HRD D Purandeswari told PTI before leaving for Paris.

Purandeswari is also attending the conference which
has started on Sunday.

The university will be named Mahatma Gandhi Centre for
Peace Education and Sustainable Development. A team from
UNESCO had come here and discussed the matter with the HRD
Ministry a few days ago.

National University for Educational Planning and
Administration (NUEPA) will be the implementing agency on
behalf of the government while UNESCO will have a major
contribution in capacity building.

India will also highlight measures taken by the
government for access, inclusion and quality in education at
the meet.

"The major priority area for our government has been
access, inclusion and excellence. The world conference is
discussing these issues. We will present our initiatives,"
Purandeswari said.

Nearly 1,000 participants from 148 countries are
attending the conference in Paris.

The other issues being discussed are importance of
education as a response to the global economic crisis. PTI BKM
SDE
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