Written in collaboration with Dr. P. C. Sinha
The Second International Conference, “Innovative Education for Global Peace and a Sustainable Future: Embracing Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” was held on November 19, 2024, in Bemetara, Chhattisgarh. The conference was organized by Samadhan Mahavidyalaya in collaboration with Divya Path Sansthan, Amarkantak Hemchand Yadav University Durg, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India, and ICFAI University. It aimed to bring together educators, scholars, researchers, and peacebuilders from around the world to discuss innovative approaches to education, global peace, and sustainable development. Speakers with diverse intellectual expertise joined from six different countries, and more than 35 research papers were presented during the conference.
GPF India co-hosts forum on innovative education and peacebuilding
The conference was centered on the ancient Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means “the world is one family,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity and the need for collective efforts to ensure a peaceful and sustainable future. A training on peace and leadership was held one day before and a background for the conference was developed among the college students of Bemetra. The conference began with a warm welcome from Dr. Markandey Rai, the chairman of GPF India, and Dr. Prabhas Sinha, Director of GPF India. The inaugural session began under the direction of Dr. Rai, who was joined on the stage by Dr. Prabhas Sinha, Dr. Sanket Thakur, scientist, and founding member Abhyudaya Sansthan Achoti; Dr. Awadhesh Patel, a principal; Dr. Avinash Tiwari, director; and Dr. Alka Tiwari, a chairperson of Samadhan college.
Dr. Alka Tiwari, the committee chairperson, welcomed the attendees and shared her belief that the conference would bring significant changes in how people approach education and human conduct. She highlighted the importance of adopting the mediator philosophy to achieve sustainable development. Dr. Awadhesh Patel, the director of Samadhan College, provided an introduction to the conference and congratulated the researchers who had contributed valuable papers on innovative education. Keynote speaker Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi, the founder and chancellor of IIEE and of Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University and president of the Confederation of Indian Universities, emphasized the role of youth in bringing about change. He stressed the moral duty of instilling a sense of dedication in them and focusing on environmental protection for a better future.
Participants discuss in between panels at the Innovative Education for Global Peace forum
The first session of the conference was graced by Dr. Rai, who shared his thoughts on how India can achieve greatness by imparting values to students. He stated that the core objective of sustainable development is to live with a sense of love for all and hatred for none and that innovative education for global peace is the pathway to achieving this goal. Tony Devine, Vice President of Education at the Global Peace Foundation, spoke on the importance of cultivating lifelong character and promoting holistic growth in education. Dr. Ashok Pandey, a trustee of GPF India, discussed the contributions of health, mind, and spirituality to sustainable development, while Dr. Sanket Thakur, an agricultural scientist, and educator, emphasized that teachers must embrace the ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to bring about global change.
In the second session, Dr. Satya Prakash Dubey, Vice Chancellor of ICFAI University, highlighted the significance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in contemporary society. He expressed hope that the adoption of these values in education would lead to sustainable solutions for global challenges. Other prominent speakers included Dr. Sharda Sharma, President of Divya Path Sansthan, who spoke about consciousness development in education, and Dr. Prashant Srivastava, a professor at V.Y.T College, who highlighted that world peace begins with inner transformation. The conference covered three main tracks: Innovative Education and Social Change, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – Global Peace, and Sustainable Development for the Well-being of All. These tracks explored various facets of education, from ethical and value-based learning to fostering global peace and sustainability.
Panel of speakers at a forum hosted by GPF India
International speakers such as Ms. Naomi Truner from Canada, Dr. Tony Devine, Mr. Chandrashekhar Tiwari, and Ms. Nina Meyerhof from the USA, and Dr. Dess Mardan Bassnet and Mr. Sabin Khanal from Nepal contributed their perspectives on the importance of fostering global peace through education. The discussions also focused on the role of youth leadership in global peace, preserving culture and heritage, and integrating health, psychology, and spirituality to achieve sustainable development. The conference concluded with a call for ongoing collaboration and research in education that fosters responsible, compassionate individuals. By adopting the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the conference emphasized the need for an education system that not only imparts knowledge but also cultivates wisdom, ethical behavior, and a deep sense of global responsibility. Through this approach, the conference aimed to inspire change and contribute to the creation of a peaceful and sustainable world.
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