Symposium on peace

Symposium on peace

JAKARTA: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) are to hold a symposium on constructing
peace in the region on Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 here, Antara
reported on Tuesday.

Delegations from Southeast Asian states, directors of defense
and international relations institutes from the region and
beyond, youth organizations, representatives of UNESCO offices in
Southeast Asia and members of the region's National UNESCO
commissions will attend the symposium, the news agency quoted a
release UNESCO issued in Paris recently.

UN institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), the UN Development Program
(UNDP), the UN Children's Fund (Unicef), and the World Health
Organization (WHO) will also be represented.

The release said that during the symposium, participants would
be expected to adopt a "Declaration on Peace for the 3rd
Millennium in Southeast Asia" while UNESCO and ASEAN are expected
to sign a cooperation agreement.

Linking durable peace and sustainable development, the
declaration will commit its signatories to promote cooperation
with a view to fostering a culture of peace and secure regional
development, the release added.

President B.J. Habibie is scheduled to open the symposium,
while ASEAN secretary-general, Rodolfo C. Severino Jr., and
UNESCO director general, Federico Mayor, will address the event.

The symposium is slated to hold a discussion, a presentation
and workshops.