Malaviya Centre for Peace Research

The ancient city of Varanasi has traditionally been a site of intercultural and interreligious dialogue and discourses peace. Continuing this tradition, the Banaras Hindu University has taken the lead in institutionalizing an interdisciplinary centre of peace research and conflict resolution. Deriving its name from the illustrious founder of the university, the Malaviya Centre for Peace Research (MCPR) was launched in 1998 under the VIII UGC Plan as the first centre of its kind in the Indian University system

Since its inception, the MCPR has established itself globally as a hub of scholarly and practical activities concerning varied dimensions of conflict analysis and sustainable peace. The granting of UNESCO Chair for Peace has been worthy recognition of the continuing peace work.

UNESCO Chair for Peace and Intercultural

 Understanding

UNESCO Chair for Peace and Intercultural Understanding has been formally established in December 2010 at the Malaviya Centre for Peace Research, Banaras Hindu University with the following mandate.
 

	Explore and highlight the potentials of cultural and, in particular religious diversity as a resource for peace rather than a barrier;
	Create a critical mass of trained and sensitized peace workers in this particular field;
	Create an integrated regional hub for research, training, information and documentation in the fields of peace, human rights, conflicts resolution and human development sensitive to the issues of structural and cultural diversity;
	Develop a curriculum for Asian and African Universities focusing particularly on the cultural and religious dimension;
	Promote the preservation of public spaces of communally inclusive heritage and cultural practices in India and elsewhere, and sensitize media and civil society about the common grounds between diverse cultures; and peace building.
	Create and reinforce networks of academic institutions in India and abroad concerned with intercultural peace and intercultural practices, to initiate Masters/ PhD programs for peace and development.