Dr. Stéphane Monney Mouandjo, Director-General of CAFRAD, a UNPAN member, along with other dignitaries. Education Chowdhury was born in 1943 in Dhaka, British India and joined the diplomatic service in 1967. He holds a Master of Arts degree in contemporary history and International Relations from the University of Dhaka. He has been a regular contributor to journals on peace, development and human rights issues, and a speaker at academic institutions and other forums. He also served as an adjunct professor at the School of Diplomacy, Seton Hall University of South Orange, New Jersey, the United States. Honours Chowdhury is the recipient of the U Thant Peace Award and UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace. He is an Honorary Patron of the Committee on Teaching About the UN (CTAUN), New York. In March 2003, Soka University of Japan conferred on Chowdhury an honorary doctorate for his work on women's issues, child rights and culture of peace as well as for the strengthening of the United Nations. His initiative in March 2000 as the president of the Security Council led to the adoption of the groundbreaking the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on the role of women in peace and security. Chowdhury has been decorated by the Government of Burkina Faso with the country's highest honour, L'Ordre national, on 18 June 2007 in Ouagadougou for his championship of the cause of the most vulnerable countries. Interfaith dialogue On 2 December 2008, Chowdury said: "Interfaith dialogue is absolutely essential, relevant, and necessary. ... If 2009 is to truly be the Year of Interfaith Cooperation, the UN urgently needs to appoint an interfaith representative at a senior level in the Secretariat." References External links In the Fall of 2007 Ambassador Chowdhury taught a week-long course at Soka University of America located in Aliso Viejo, California, the US on the theme of creating a "Culture of Peace". 1943 births Living people Bangladeshi politicians Bangladeshi officials of the United Nations Bangladeshi diplomats Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Chile Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Nicaragua Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Peru Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Venezuela High Commissioners of Bangladesh to the Bahamas High Commissioners of Bangladesh to Guyana Chairmen and Presidents of UNICEF Permanent Representatives of Bangladesh to the United Nations