Pakistan awarded first UNESCO chair in peace education

In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s academic and peacebuilding landscape, Prof. Dr. Hussain Mohi ud Din Qadri has been awarded the country’s first-ever UNESCO Chair on Peace Education and Intercultural Dialogue.

 The Chair has been established at Minhaj University Lahore, placing the institution within UNESCO’s global academic network promoting peace and dialogue.

Recognition for Pakistan

The conferment of the UNESCO Chair is being hailed as a major milestone for Pakistan’s higher education system. It formally integrates Minhaj University Lahore into UNESCO’s international framework of universities working on peace studies, intercultural dialogue, and collaborative research.

This recognition reflects decades of work by Minhaj-ul-Quran International in promoting moderation, countering extremism, and fostering dialogue among civilizations.

 Tahir-ul-Qadri, founding leader of Minhaj-ul-Quran International and Chairman of the Board of Governors at Minhaj University Lahore, congratulated Prof. Dr. Hussain Mohi ud Din Qadri on the achievement.

He described the award as a collective success representing years of scholarly, intellectual, and practical contributions toward global peace and harmony. He expressed confidence that the UNESCO Chair would further strengthen efforts to promote tolerance, coexistence, and intercultural understanding through broader international engagement.

Objectives of UNESCO chair

The UNESCO Chair in Peace Education and Intercultural Dialogue aims to:

Promote research and academic scholarship in peace studies

Encourage intercultural understanding and dialogue among diverse communities

Develop policy-oriented research and global academic collaboration
Strengthen educational frameworks focused on sustainable peace

Through these objectives, the Chair seeks to create structured academic platforms dedicated to advancing peace education both regionally and globally.

The establishment of this UNESCO Chair reinforces Pakistan’s growing participation in global educational and peace initiatives. 

It positions Minhaj University Lahore as a leading center for peace education, research, and intercultural dialogue in South Asia.

Scholars, members of civil society, and the broader academic community have welcomed the development, calling it a significant step in enhancing Pakistan’s image as a constructive contributor to global peace and cooperation.