A/RES/54/29 Page 2 Recalling further its adoption on 13 September 1999 of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace,2 Noting that in 1991 the Secretary-General, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme, established a Trust Fund for Peace consisting of voluntary contributions in order to provide the University with the means necessary to extend its sphere of activity to the whole world, taking full advantage of its potential capacity for education, research and support of the United Nations and to carry out its mandate of promoting peace in the world, Noting with appreciation that the Government of Uruguay, by agreement with the University for Peace, established in 1997 a World Centre for Research and Information on Peace as regional subheadquarters of the University for South America, Noting also with appreciation the vigorous actions taken by the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and with the encouragement and support of the Government of Costa Rica, to revitalize the University,3 Noting that the University has placed special emphasis on the area of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace-building and peaceful settlement of disputes, and that it has launched programmes in the areas of democratic consensus-building and training of academic experts in the techniques of peaceful settlement of conflicts, Noting also that the University has launched a broad programme for building a culture of peace in Central America and the Caribbean in the context of the efforts being made by the United Nations and by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the development and promotion of a culture of peace, Noting with appreciation that the University is organizing a symposium in celebration of the International Year of Older Persons, 1999, at which it will emphasize the valuable contribution that older persons can make to the promotion of peace, solidarity, tolerance and the culture of peace, Recognizing the important and varied activities carried out by the University during the period 1997–1999, within its financial limitations and with the valuable assistance and contributions of Governments, foundations and non-governmental organizations, Considering the importance of promoting education for peace that fosters respect for the values inherent in peace and universal coexistence among persons, including respect for the life, dignity and integrity of human beings, as well as friendship and solidarity among peoples irrespective of their nationality, race, sex, religion or culture, 2 3 Resolution 53/243. A/54/312, para.2. /...