UNESCO withdraws from conference

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 28. The UNESCO has decided that it will not sponsor or take part in a conference it had been due to co- organise with the Institute of Sathya Sai Education (ISSE Thailand) and The Flinders University Institute of International Education (Australia), in Puttaparthi from September 25 to 29.

The decision means that UNESCO is no longer associated in any way - through sponsorship, organisation or participation of any kind - with the conference on ``Strengthening Values Education. Innovative Approaches to Teacher Education for Peace and International Understanding,'' according to a press release issued by the UNESCO office here.

UNESCO's withdrawal was prompted by several factors. Certain decisions were taken by the ISSE without consultation, such as plans to hold some of the sessions at the `ashram' of the Sathya Sai movement in Puttaparthi, and the inclusion of some speakers in the conference programme without their previous consent. Furthermore, the organisation is deeply concerned about allegations of abuse involving youths and children.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Sharp rise in accident rate in railways