Art of Living signs peace education pact with Nobel laureates secretariat

The Art of Living marked its 45th anniversary in Bengaluru with leaders from 182 countries and a new agreement aimed at expanding peace education and youth leadership. The organization also highlighted its global humanitarian work, including U.S. programs in rehabilitation, veterans support, healthcare burnout and student wellness.

Why it matters: - The new memorandum links The Art of Living Foundation with the Asia General Office of the Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. - The partnership is designed to scale peace education and youth leadership across universities and student networks. - The agreement adds institutional reach to a broader push around trauma relief, rehabilitation and conflict resolution.

What happened: - The Art of Living celebrated its 45th anniversary in Bengaluru with participants from 182 countries. - The monthlong gathering took place at The Art of Living International Center. - The celebration also marked founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s 70th birthday. - Narendra Modi visited the event, inaugurated the newly built Dhyan Mandir meditation centre and spoke about mental resilience and social responsibility. - The Art of Living Foundation signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Asia General Office of the Permanent Secretariat of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. - The collaboration centers on the “Leading by Example” curriculum developed with Nobel Peace Laureates and international peace institutions.

The details: - The curriculum is meant to connect universities and students with international peacebuilding and leadership platforms. - The program will use academic collaborations and youth participation initiatives to widen its reach. - The Bengaluru gathering drew diplomats, educators, policymakers and humanitarian leaders. - The event focused on peacebuilding, emotional well-being, education and humanitarian cooperation. - The anniversary also brought together international leaders including former Japanese Education Minister Hakubun Shimomura, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah. - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said meditation and well-being practices are spreading globally, from Tromsø in the Arctic to the southernmost point on Earth.

Between the lines: - The Bengaluru event functioned as both a celebration and a platform for expanding institutional partnerships. - The peace education agreement fits a larger strategy of pairing spiritual practice with civic and educational programs. - The U.S. portfolio shows how The Art of Living has translated that approach into measurable programs for prisons, veterans, schools and health systems. - The 2023 World Culture Festival in Washington, D.C., gave the organization a high-visibility American stage and helped broaden its public profile.

What’s next: - The Art of Living is likely to deepen university partnerships and youth programs through the new peace education framework. - The Foundation’s humanitarian work in the United States appears set to continue across rehabilitation, wellness and veteran support channels. - The organization will keep operating globally through programs in education, trauma relief, conflict resolution and humanitarian outreach.

The bottom line: - The Bengaluru milestone underscored The Art of Living’s push to pair its global spiritual brand with formal peace education and social-impact partnerships.