PARIS: The Saudi Ministry of Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization signed a memorandum of understanding in Paris Tuesday to establish the Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Program for the Culture of Dialogue and Peace. Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah, minister of Education and chairman of the Saudi National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, signed the agreement on behalf of his country; UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova signed for her organization. After the signing ceremony, at a UNESCO meeting in Paris, Prince Faisal announced that Saudi Arabia has donated $5 million to the program. Bokova expressed gratitude for the donation, praised Saudi Arabia's efforts to promote education and described it as being a good example for all countries of the world. She said King Abdullah's donation reflects his support for history, civilization, diversification and modernization. Before the announcement, Prince Faisal addressed the 185th session of the UNESCO Executive Council and said that “unless the Palestinian issue is resolved, it will remain an obstacle to any effort in the Arab world to spread the culture of peace and tolerance.” Prince Faisal, who was awarded UNESCO's Mahatma Ghandi Medal, called on the organization to clearly support the basic rights of Palestinian education, culture and heritage. The award was given to recognize the Kingdom's role in protecting world culture and education, King Abdullah's international initiatives and Saudi Arabia's constitutional role in support of UNESCO, officials said. ?Prince Faisal said Saudi Arabia fully supports five resolutions – calling for the protection of Palestinian culture and heritage – issued by the World Legacy Committee in its recent meeting in Brazil. ?He also conveyed the Kingdom's trust and appreciation of the UNESCO's message and mission to face its challenges.
