Outgoing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been selected for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2010, said a news release from the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
Mr. Lula was selected for the award by an international jury chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh mainly for promoting strong ties among developing countries, promoting inclusive growth and for his contribution to the cause of India-Brazil partnership.
``Lula has championed the cause of the global south and has worked to strengthen bonds among the developing countries…his priority from the start was inclusive growth and the consolidation and expansion of social programmes,’’ noted the release.
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A galaxy of international personalities has been given the Indira Gandhi Prize with the previous three awardees being Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.