FOLLOW US
Peace Education
Dr. Thomas Walsh Addresses the Global Citizen Forum in New Delhi
Written by UPF - India
Friday, January 3, 2014
New Delhi, India - Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, President of the Universal Peace Federation, was invited to speak at the Global Citizen Forum in New Delhi on Jan. 3, 2014. The forum on the theme of "One World: The Role of India, China, and the USA," was organized by the Spice Group's Chairman, Dr. B.K. Modi, an Indian businessman and philanthropist. Dr. Modi was appointed by the United Nations as the Coordinator for the Indian subcontinent for the Millennium World Peace Summit in 2000.
Among the 1500 attendees were the Hon. Salam Khurshid, Union Cabinet Minister for External Affairs of Government of India as the Chief Guest, along with Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswati, president of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India, and His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, head of the Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr. Walsh was the first speaker in the inaugural session on the theme: International collaboration as the force of the future. For the text of his speech, click here.
Speakers at the following sessions were as below:
Technology Breaking the Barriers
Hon. Kapil Sibal (Union Cabinet Minister for Law and Justice)
Rajiv Makhni (Managing Editor, Technology - NDTV)
Dr. Roger Howe (Executive Chairman, Stemedica)
Sunil Parikh (Founding Curator, World Economic Forum)
Atul Temurnikar (Head, Global Indian School, Singapore)
Empowering a Global Citizen through a Common Education, Health and Security Platform
Siddharth Zarabi (moderator CNBC)
Dr. Vinay Rai (Head, Rai Foundation)
Mr. N.K. Singh (MP)
Prof. Dinesh Aggarwal (VC, Delhi University)
Rajiv Mehrotra (journalist/documentary filmmaker)
Vinod Bansal (District Head, Rotary International)
Tushar Pandey (Senior President, Yes Bank)
Carrie Lee (International President, Live to Love)
Closing Session
Closing Remarks: Dr. B.K. Modi
Vayalar Ravi (Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs)
Dr. Seetharaman (CEO, Doha Bank)
Rajendra Pawar (Chairman, NIIT)
Sushil Ansal (Chairman, Ansal Group)
Tisca Chopra (actor)
Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati (spiritual leader)
Conference backgrounder
The Global Citizen Forum was launched by Dr. Modi with the premise to create a platform for “1 world” beyond nationality, religion and geographical boundaries. Its representatives engage with people and governments to encourage inclusive development and international collaboration. As the Global Citizen Forum movement grows, promoting inclusive development to encourage the formation of global citizens will take the spotlight.
Keeping in mind the sovereignty of different nations, the GCF conference on Jan. 3, 2014, attempted to explore opportunities and challenges that will build faith and increase collaboration between the superpowers of the 21st century, namely India, China and the USA – issues that engender the development of its youth as global leaders and agents of change for the creation of a new, interconnected world order.
The path to international collaboration
Out of the approximately 7 billion people on this planet, 26.5% currently live in India and China and both of these countries lack the natural resources to support their population. There is an evident imbalance between the needs of any given nation’s aspirations vis-a-vis its populace and the resources, both natural and human capital, that are available. Global collaboration is thus not only prescribed but essential. International collaboration often precedes economic and social development of a region. The conference shall seek to outline how the best collaborations can be developed and achieved among nations. What steps can governing bodies and the private sector take to develop a conducive environment?
Technology: Breaking the barriers
Since its launch, the World Wide Web has rapidly risen through the ranks to become the leading integrator of the entire world as well as an agent of change and a driver of economic forces in the world. New technologies have resulted in a shift from the traditional resource-based economy to a more knowledge-based economy. Technology has pervaded all fields, be it education, healthcare, finance, etc. The transition from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy has resulted in the creation of a level playing field based on ability and merit. Free availability of knowledge on the internet through systematized education portals and now more recently the Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC’s) has expanded the scope of personal development. Financial inclusion of hitherto marginalized sectors can now be made possible. The social media space and the interaction via this powerful tool, and the resultant instant viral dissemination of information worldwide, has thrown up new possibilities for the concept of One World. As home to the largest workforce capacity, how can the three main superpowers of the 21st century -- India and China and the USA -- work together to promote oneness and collaboration?
Empowering a Global Citizen through a common Education, Security and Health Platform
Global Cities and Global Citizens are best defined by certain characteristics that have become an inherent part of their existence. In 2012, 232 million people were on the move across the globe. Though there is substantial proof that international migration of professionals has a positive impact on the host nations’ economies, it also allows for unequal individual development opportunities – often limiting the posibilities for those who possess the means to travel abroad. The key to empowering every citizen of the planet is to make these opportunities available to those who have not migrated to the traditional “Global Cities.” The governing bodies thus need to explore ways in which the necessary social, educational, health and security infrastructure can be developed to provide equal opportunities for all.
Education: According to UN reports, students comprise an increasing percentage of international migrants. This is often the category that positively contributes to the development of the economies of the country of origin and destination. Thus, an appealing global agenda and an adherence to international standards have started defining a university’s curriculum. Though each university strives for global recognition, few have a strong track record of producing and grooming Global Citizens. The GCF panel will focus on the ways in which more institutes can adopt a globalized curriculum and contextualize the success of academic institutions within the nation’s economic framework. Owing to economic successes and geographical spreads of each of these three superpowers, they enjoy a strong level of influence in some of the most war-torn areas of the globe. Besides diplomatic dialogue, how can India, China and the USA initiate grassroots change in different countries? And how can the advent of world-class Massive Online open Courseware from the best universities in the world be incorporated so as to bridge the gap of quality, equity and access for the millions of not so privileged youth who do not get access?
Security: Technological innovation has provided increased security measures which allow migrants to be identified individually by security bodies. The general principle behind immigration rules is to enhance security and to protect domestic economies. Once each nation has the infrastructure to execute these security measures, how can various nations work together to provide visa-free mobility to those who successfully fulfill all security requirements? Concurrently, benchmarking the Schengen area, how can other regions strike a balance between protecting national integrity and developing a dedicated platform to facilitate mobility for its citizens for exchange of ideas, innovation, research and culture apart from just business?
Health: Healthcare plays a significant role in the welfare agenda of local governments. No nation can hope to develop economically or culturally if the health of its populace is not good and is endangered. Health is Wealth, as the old ancient wisdom states -- it’s as true today, especially in an ever increasingly competitive world where falling sick is considered a luxury one cannot afford!! It is widely accepted in the West that part of the reason for the economic miracles in the West are due to its healthy workforce. The West has consistently led research and advancements in healthcare, including now genetic engineering as an all-inclusive, medical cure for all ailments. How can the rapid growth of seamless transfer of knowledge be captured by the developing world to catch up and provide world-class medical care for its citizens? What are the responsibilities of the three superpowers in fostering this? What impact will the high cost of medical treatments in the West and consequently the rapid increase in medical tourism in developing economies have on healthcare?
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Australia
UPF-Australia Convenes Mutual Prosperity Summit
Melbourne, Australia—The Mutual Prosperity Summit focused on “Rethinking Our Economic Models.”