A publication about the history of the University of Peace, based in Costa Rica, acknowledges the work of Maurice Strong in revitalising the work of the institution and moving it into the world stage.
 |
John J Maresca, Rector, University of Peace, in a letter to Maurice Strong, says: "Your interest in, and support for, UPEACE has been important to our institution and we remain indebted to you."
Some extracts from the publication, entitled "Peace-building by Another Name":
"The University for Peace was a dream that became a reality. This is the story of how that dream took form in the green hills of Costa Rica.
"It is a story which involves many people, from all parts of the world, with different views and perspectives, but who all have shared the idea that peace is the essential basis for human progress.
"All these people have contributed to the development of the University for Peace as we know it now -- a complex worldwide institution with its main campus in Costa Rica and with programmes and partnerships throughout the world.
"UPEACE continues to grow and expand in many different ways -- in its student body, its alumni, the range of subjects it covers, its many emanations throughout the world, and its image as a source of thinking and leadership on education for peace.
 |
| 1999, 11th Session of the UPEACE Council. Back row, left to right: Sverre Lodgaard, Hans van Ginkel, Steven Rockefeller. Front row, left to right: Dimitri Chitoran, Attiya Inayatullah, Maurice F. Strong, Anaisabel Prera and Nitin Desai. |
"We would like to thank all those who have donated funding support to UPEACE, and who have made all this possible. We are proud of our heritage, our graduates, our community, and especially of the basic concept from which our institution springs: that peace is possible, and that education for peace is the necessary basis for development and understanding among the world’s many cultures and peoples.
"In 1999 UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor initiated a major revitalization process at UPEACE, with the objective of making the institution into a leading international centre of education for peace.
The effort included changing the principal language of instruction from Spanish to English, and set UPEACE on a new course of expansion and growth.
"UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed Maurice F. Strong of Canada as the President of the Council and Rector of UPEACE.
For seven years thereafter, as President of the Council (1998- 2005) Strong played a key role in revitalizing the University and putting it on a new path toward worldwide outreach. He was succeeded in his role as Rector by R. Martin Lees (UK) (2001-2005).
Download a pdf version of the UPEACE publication: "Peace-building by Another Name".
