San Jose (Costa Rica): India's Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu received the honorary doctorate (Doctor Honoris Causa) by the University for Peace, Costa Rica, established by the United Nations in ‘recognition of his contribution to the rule of law, democracy, sustainable development and peace’.
Naidu is the first Indian to be conferred the prestigious doctorate.
The vice president felt that this honour conferred on him was, in a certain sense, global acknowledgement of the age-old Indian values of peace and harmony embedded in our philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
In his acceptance speech, Naidu also made a strong pitch for world peace. He said terrorism which has no religion must be defeated at any cost.
The University for Peace was founded in December 1980 to further a resolution of United Nations’ General Assembly. The resolution had incorporated an International Agreement for the establishment of the University of Peace with the mandate of “engaging in dissemination of knowledge fundamental to the full development of the human person and societies through interdisciplinary study of all matters relating to peace”.
India was one of the founding members of the University. The Charter of the University includes promoting world peace through education.
The previous awardees include Ms. Laura Chinchilla, former President of Costa Rica; Mr. Thomas Buergenthal, former Judge of the International Court of Justice; Ms. Bineta Dio, founder of FEMME Africa Solidarite and Special Envoy of the African Union Commission for Women, Peace and Security; Mr. Aristides Royo, former President of Panama; and Mr. Takeju Ogata, President of NIPPON Foundation.
