Valencia’s Peace and Justice Initiative recently welcomed Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury to the college.

Chowdhury was a member of the United Nations for many years and had been responsible for such groundbreaking measures as the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which recognized the of women to peace and security.

The ambassador was present and heavily involved with Bangladesh’s fight for independence.

“I was a part of Pakistan’s diplomatic service,” said Chowdhury, “and when the war of independence for Bangladesh started I said to myself ‘I cannot continue to serve a country which is killing my own people.’ So, I joined the liberation movement of Bangladesh.”

He left his comfortable life as a diplomat and dedicated himself to making sure that Bangladesh would achieve independence. The country gained its independence in 1971, and, through the persistence of Chowdhury along with others, in 1974 joined the UN.