The Samiti in collaboration with Trincomalee Campus Eastern University, Sri Lanka is organising an E-workshop on “Exploring a Nonviolent Communication Ecosystem” on July 2, 2020 with key speakers as Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan and Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS. 177 participants took part in the workshop. The moderator of the E-workshop was Ms. Sivapriya Sriram. Ms. Nisansala Jayawardhana coordinated the programme.

The Samiti jointly with Beti and Shiksha Foundation in association with High Commission of India in Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago and Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-Operation organised an E-conference on “Practicing Non-Violence in our Daily Lives” on July 8, 2020. Key speakers included: H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu, High Commissioner Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer, GSDS, Mrs. Renu Sharma, B & S Foundation. The conference was chaired by Dr. Pandita Indrani Rampersad. 50 participants from India, Surinam, Guyane and Trindad took part in the e-conference. In his remarks, High Commissioner H.E. Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu spoke about the adoption of the resolution by the United Nations to mark October 2, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-Violence every year and said that this was a great initiative taken by India in recognition to the principles of peace and nonviolence that are fundamental to human interdependence. Speaking about Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of truth and nonviolence, Mr. Sahu believed that only ideas and practical applications of peaceful strategies and nonviolence can usher in world peace and bring semblance in human coexistence.

A webinar on “Leaders Dialogue on Active Peace Building for Community Cohesion in the midst of Covid -19” was organised by Shanti Ashram, Coimbatore in association with GSDS, Arigatau International, Centre for Child and Public Health and Mahatma Gandhi Institute with the following panelists: Ms.Maria Lucia, Director, Arigatou International – Ethics Education for Children –Geneva; Dr. A Suryakanthi, Former Professor, Gandhigram Rural University & Trustee, Shanti Ashram; Dr.Priya.M.Vaidya, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Mumbai; Ms. Karuna Sagari Venkatachalam Director, Bhakti Natya Niketan and Bharatnatyam dancer; and Ms.Pavithra Rajagopalan, Auxiliary Trainer, Association Montessori Internationale. Dr. K Vinu Aram, Founder Director Shanti Ashram also addressed the gathering. 90 participants including academics, peace workers, researchers, youth volunteers from Europe, Asia and Africa took part in the webinar on July 21, 2020 that began by singing Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn Vaishnavajana Tau which was followed by an inter-faith prayer.

70 participants from several countries took part in an international E-dialogue on “How do I cultivate non-violence in my daily life?” organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti on July 25, 2020. Dr. Vidya Jain, Former SG APRA & Convenor, Nonviolence Commission, IPRA mentored the entire discussion. Dr. Bernedette Muthien Peace Researcher, Poet and facilitator in South Africa, chaired the session. Prof. Stellan Vinthagen, Endowed Chair, Study of Nonviolent Direct Action & Civil Resistance, University of Massachusetts USA; Prof. Gloria Maria Abarca, Professor, Peace Education, University of Peace, Mexico and Prof. Senyo Adeti, Coordinator, Satyagraha Institute, Ghana were the key speakers. Director GSDS Shri Dipanker Shri Gyan delivered the inaugural address and Dr. Vedabhyas Kundu, Programme Officer GSDS coordinated the e-dialogue.