Arun Gandhi is often asked during his speaking engagements and legacy tours what he says in “high-level” meetings to political leaders and he responds, “the same things I’m saying to you.” The United Nations webtv video session provided a perfect example of this during his address at a high-level United Nations forum in New York.
In Arun Gandhi’s opening remarks, he said there is need to stop “exploiting people, religion, to gain our goals and ambitions. That is only the way we can bring peace through non-violence.” World peace cannot be achieved unless individuals accept nonviolence as a way of life, according to Arun Gandhi, grandson of the late Mahatma Gandhi.
Arun Gandhi was invited by UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa to address a high-level UN forum declaring a New Culture of Peace on September 9, 2015 in New York.
The General Assembly High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace.
See video and hear Arun Gandhi’s full remarks: Ban-Ki Moon [@5:00] Arun Gandhi [@13:45]
UN WebTv: Mahatma Gandhi’s 5th Grandson Arun Gandhi Gives Keynote Speech at India: General Assembly 69th Session High-Level Forum on a Culture of Peace
Ban-Ki Moon sat next to Arun Gandhi during his address. “Mahatma Gandhi proved that the culture of peace can change the course of history. Let us carry on this legacy until we end the terrible suffering in our world and establish lasting peace,” the UN Secretary General said in his remarks to the General Assembly high-level forum on Culture of Peace.
Ban-Ki Moon recalled his visit to India in January this year, during when he had visited the Sabarmati Ashram. “It was a privilege to tour the ashram…I recalled Gandhi’s stern warning that, ‘There will be no lasting peace on earth unless we learn not merely to tolerate but even to respect the other faiths as our own’,” the UN Chief said. After the opening remarks the session continued with panel sessions to discuss.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to share a message of peace with you all today,” said Arun Gandhi
“United Nations Economic and Social Council chamber New York City 2”
by MusikAnimal – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Commons.
Gandhi Worldwide Accepted by United Nations Economic and Social Council
Special Consultative Status Bestowed on
Gandhi Children’s NGO by UN
WACAUNDA, Ill., Aug. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — “The UN Consultative Status for our organization will enable us to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programs, funds and agencies in a number of ways,” stated Arun Gandhi, the organization’s founder and 5th grandson of the Mahatma Gandhi.
In a letter dated July 23, 2015 (World Peace Day) the UN ECOSOC acting Chief Alberto Padova wrote: “The new status entitles the Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute to designate official representatives to the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the United Nations offices in Geneva and Vienna… and you may designate authorized representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, General Assembly, Human Rights Council and other United Nations intergovernmental decision-making bodies.”
“This status will help future fund raising efforts and open up GWEI’s voice at the UN. GWEI will be allowed to host this status at our website and make it part of our grant detail, exec summary, business plan and press release narrative,” said Lynnea Bylund the GWEI director who marshaled the ECOSOC appointment initiative and application process over the past two years.
The ECOSOC Special Consultative Status is reserved for non-profit organizations. GWEI was approved by the United Nations department’s special committee to apply in August 2013. GWEI’s application and work was subsequently scheduled for review by 17 representatives from UN member countries On May 29, 2015, GWEI was officially recommended for Special Consultative Status.
“GWEI now has the option to attend meetings, provided written statements, make oral statements, organize parallel events, and participate in debates, dialogues, panel discussions and informal meetings. Human right issues, peace, security, poverty, status of woman’s issues, trafficking, child rights to education, sustainable development, social development, and technology are some of the issues GWEI will address,” added Lynnea Bylund.
In addition to the ECOSOC appointment Arun Gandhi has been invited by UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa to address a high-level UN forum declaring a New Culture of Peace on September 9, 2015 in New York.
About Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute – The Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute, a 501c-3 charitable organization, has embarked on an ambitious multi-pronged program to help eradicate the scourge of poverty and human degradation. “Poverty is the worse form of violence,” Mahatma Gandhi said. The priority of the GWEI is to rescue children from the poorest sections of Indian society, those who are the first to become victims of criminal gangs; the second priority is to build local institutions that serve as shelters and learning centers, where the rescued children will receive essential nutrition and education – nourishment for body, mind, and soul.
UN ECOSOC Youth – https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/2023-ecosoc-youth-forum
UN ECOSOC Peace Development – https://www.un.org/ecosoc/en/peaceanddevelopment
The United Nations Economic and Social Committee took note of Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute and approved its ECOSOC status for another 4 years on January 26, 2024 – https://press.un.org/en/2024/ngo968.doc.htm. The United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) requires non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in consultative status to submit quadrennial reports every four years. “ECOSOC resolution 1996/31 states that these reports are due every four years.” Gandhi Worldwide Education Institute filed its report before the deadline of June 1, 2023 noted the transitions the organization were/are going through. We are honored the United Nations recognized and took note in the following session –
9TH & 10TH MEETINGS (AM & PM)
NGO/968
26 JANUARY 2024
On this date of January 26, 2024
We attended the United Nations 2024 Partnership Forum of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) January 30, 2024 in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and the ECOSOC Chamber at the UN HQ. We submitted the following and registered as a speaker. We were not able to deliver an oral statement due to agenda time factors. It was announced at the end of the meetings that the balance of the statements will be a part of the final report. We are grateful and honored to participate in the event on a day that means so much to our organization and community.
Current Programs 2025
Season for Nonviolence Jan 30 – April 4, 2025
AVANI Sponsor the Children Fund
Satyagraha Tour of South Africa 2026
United Nations ECOSOC Consultative Status since July 23, 2015