Belgian, Pakistani bag UN prize for promoting Gandhian ideals

United Nations, Oct 21 (PTI) A Belgian human rights
activist and a Pakistani philanthropist have bagged a coveted
United Nations prize which draws its inspiration from apostle
of peace Mahatma Gandhi's life.

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 for promoting tolerance and non-violence.
The two will share a prize money of USD 10,000 and
receive the award on the 'International Day for Tolerance' on
November 16, the Paris-headquarted UNESCO said in a statement.
The prestigious prize was constituted way back in 1995 on
the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi mainly due to
generosity of Indian diplomat and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador,
Madanjeet Singh.
Dedicated to advancing the spirit of tolerance in the
arts, education, culture, science and communication, the prize
is awarded every two years to individuals or institutions for
contributions to the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.
Previous laureates include Myanmar Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and exiled Bangladeshi writer
Taslima Nasreen.
Houtart, an ardent promoter of North-South cooperation
and known throughout his life as a human rights defender, has
won the award for his contribution to the advancement of the
inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue.
Edhi is one of the most active philanthropists in
Pakistan through his Edhi Foundation, which he created in
1957. He got the award for his active stand against extremism
and support for humanitarian efforts. PTI MOT