Banaras Hindu University Stands For Global Cause

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) became the first Indian university to join the Tony Blair Faith Foundation's Faith and Globalisation Initiative (FGI) network. The foundation was launched in 2008 and includes 11 other influential global institutions such as Yale University and Peking University, it had also got the prestigious UNESCO Chair for Peace and Intercultural Understanding.


An agreement with BHU was made by former British prime minister Tony Blair, in the presence of BHU professor Priyankar Upadhyaya, UNESCO, Malviya Centre for Peace Research, at New Delhi. BHU chancellor, Dr Karan Singh was also present at the programme.


The programme will explore issues such as religion and conflict, religion and public life and human rights. Students will have the opportunity to connect with counterparts across the globe. They will learn to understand how religion motivates society and the world and learn to respect difference and not fear it.


The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) had also got prestigious UNESCO Chair for Peace and Intercultural Understanding. The UNESCO Chair was established at the BHU in 2010. The fields/disciplines of the Chair include peace studies, human rights, cultural diversity, and intercultural studies.