Speakers said on the lines of WHO, ILO, UNDP, a similar world body was needed to address to the needs and requirements of the emerging economies which were sending out large number of students to the developed world for higher education.

"The educational resources and infrastructure must be shared by all, so that the dream of the Global Village becomes a reality," students and teachers said.

Central Hindi Institute registrar Dr. Chandra Kant Tripathi said, "developing countries need educational facilities, and expansion of infrastructure. To promote cooperation among countries and share experiences in the field of education, a new UN body focusing on education was the need of the day."

Students from 50 odd countries, including China, joined the celebrations. "The UN had indeed been a great factor in promoting understanding and cooperation in diverse fields, and made the world safer," students from Georgia, Sri Lanka said.

Students from China, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, East European countries, Fiji, Trinidad, among others joined the celebrations which included folk dances and a Kathak dance recital.

Culture critic Mahesh Dhakar, whose Mitra Society had organized the programme of serious talk interspersed with dances and music, said increasing cooperation in the field of education had been helpful in cementing ties and promoting understanding among countries.

Speakers said a UN Education Body would help standardize norms, promote understanding and help expand educational infrastructure in developing countries.