Speech by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, 
Minister for Human Resource Development, Science and Technology and Ocean Development, Government of India 
on the occasion of 
presentation of UNESCO Prize for Peace Education 2002 to 
City Montessori School, Lucknow, India 
at Paris on 23 September 2002

UNESCO Director-General : Mr Koichiro Matsuura 
President of the Jury: Mr Pierre A.R. Kipre
Mr Jagdish Gandhi and Mrs Bharti Gandhi
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege to be present at the Award Ceremony of UNESCO Prize for Peace Education 2002 to City Montessori School, Lucknow, India. The award is in recognition to the pioneering services of the school 'in promoting the universal values of education for peace and tolerance and to renew the principles of secularism at a time when these values and principles are increasingly being challenged.'

The presentation of this award to this Institution is most appropriate because the founders of the Institution have deep and abiding faith in the principles of truth, non-violence, tolerance and universal humanism as preached and practiced by the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi. For more than four decades the City Montessori School, Lucknow has nurtured generations of students in these values and inspired them to play their useful role in the service of community. We have a long tradition of dedication to the humanity. More than 2500 years ago Buddha had preached his disciples and gave them the message - Charat Bhikkhave Bahujan Hitay Bahujan Sukhay and asked his monks to serve the humanity and work for the greatest good and happiness of the greatest number. UNESCO has appropriately recognised the pioneering work of Shri Jagdish and Smt Bharti Gandhi. I wish to congratulate them on behalf of my Government and on my own behalf and thank Director General, Mr Koichiro Matsuura and Chairman of the Jury for the recognition and selection of this Institution for the Peace Education Award for 2002. 

The real defence of peace in the minds of men can only be possible through Education. Mere learning and acquiring of knowledge does not serve the purpose of education. Its real purpose is to liberate the minds from the shackles of ignorance and full development of human spirit. The Vedas defined knowledge and said: Sa vidya ya vimuktaye. It also speaks of liberation, but has wider and holistic connotation of complete spiritual awakening.

Rousseau lamented that 'man is born free but is everywhere in chain'. It is a matter of great pain that a large mass of humanity spread over the world is still suffering in abject poverty. The chasm between the 'haves' and the 'have-nopts' is so pronounced and deep that it hurts and human consciousness. If only the 'haves' could share a part of their bountiful possessions with the deprived, their lot would considerably improve. 

The philosophy of sharing with others gave Inda a unique philosophy in which the entire world is treated as one family. This is immortalized in the phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' : the entire humanity is but one large family. In our times Mahatma Gandhi propounded the principle of trusteeship in which neither the nations nor the individuals are the possessors of wealth and property. These are to be used for the good of the people and shared by all according to their needs. Unless the world understands this, we will never be able to get rid of inequality and deprivation and all our ideals of peace and happiness will remain a dream.

It is important for us to remember that this is the UN Decade for Culture of Peace and Non-Violence. The objectives include fostering a culture of peace through education. economic and social development through sustainable means and so on. I believe that education is the most important vehicle for the achievement and fulfillment of these objectives. Our education should be based on human values and in conformity with the genius of each country. Respect for the human dignity, not only within the national boundaries but also between nations. Even in the new millennium, around the world, we are witness to the widening disparities between adn among nations. We need a new global order, which is sensitive to the needs of economically deprived people striving for human dignity. This is possible only through universal understanding of the yearning of human spirit.

Let there be peace in the entire Cosmos; let there be peace in the skies, let there be peace on earth, let there be peace in the waters, let there be peace in herbs and vegetation, let the divine bring peace to us, let all the knowledge bring peace and let everywhere be peace, peace and peace.

I once again thank Mr Koichiro Matsuura and all distinguished guests present here.

Thank you.

UNESCO Prize for Peace Education 2002 Certificate
Glimpses of the Ceremony