Meet Our Panelists: Honoring Nonviolence and Gandhiji’s Jayanti

Ahimsa In Action

Transforming the Future Through Nonviolence

September 28 – October 4, 2024 

AHIMSA – Gandhi: The Power of Powerless Screening for Change

October 5, 2024 Panel Discussion

As we approach October 5, 2024, and gather to celebrate the International Day of Nonviolence and Gandhiji’s Jayanti, we are honored to introduce the remarkable individuals who will be joining us for the panel discussion titled “Ahimsa in Action: Transforming the Future Through Nonviolence.”

This event, co-hosted by the Peace Alliance, and Ahimsa Peace Institute promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation on how the principles of Ahimsa (nonviolence) can drive change in today’s global conflicts. These incredible panelists bring decades of combined experience in peacebuilding, social justice, and nonviolent resistance. Learn more about the leaders shaping this discussion and join us for the event!

Meet the Film maker

Ramesh Sharma A well-known India based film producer. He has won numerous awards as a director and producer in international and national film festivals over the course of his career for both films and documentaries.  He produced and co-directed the EMMY-nominated feature documentary “The Journalist” and “The Jihadi- The Murder of Daniel Pearl.” His latest feature documentary “AHIMSA – Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless” earned many awards from around the world including the United Nations Celebration of Peace Award. Ramesh served as the Chairman of the Jury of the Non-Feature National Awards and has been on the board of governors of National Institute of Technology Sikkim, and the Central University of Himachal Pradesh is a central research university headquartered from Dharmsala, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Meet the Panelists

Sulaiman Khatib – Co-Founder, Combatants for Peace

Sulaiman Khatib grew up in Hizma, a village northeast of Jerusalem, deeply rooted in the land and its traditions. As a teenager, he became involved in the Palestinian resistance and was imprisoned for his role in an attack on Israeli soldiers at the age of 14. During his 10 years in prison, Sulaiman underwent a profound transformation. He educated himself, studying the history of both Palestinians and Jews, and was deeply moved by stories of Jewish suffering, such as in Schindler’s List. His journey led him to reject violence, understanding that both peoples share a deep connection to the land and are victims of fear and trauma.

Sulaiman was particularly influenced by the works of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, whose teachings on nonviolent resistance shaped his new approach to activism. Upon his release, Sulaiman became an advocate for nonviolent struggle, co-founding the Abu Sukar Centre for Peace and Combatants for Peace, an organization where former Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters work together for peace. Today, he continues to promote reconciliation, believing that through forgiveness and unity, Israelis and Palestinians can achieve freedom, security, and human rights for all in their shared homeland.

At the heart of Sulaiman’s work is the belief in collective liberation, the idea that true freedom and peace can only come when all peoples, regardless of their history or background, are liberated together. His advocacy reflects this vision, as he works tirelessly to foster understanding and build bridges between divided communities. Combatants for Peace, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee organization in 2017 and 2018, Sulaiman remains a powerful advocate for peace in the region, proving that forgiveness and unity can bridge even the deepest divides.

Dr. Vishakha N. Desai – Global Affairs Advisor & Former President, Asia Society

Photo by Chriselucas – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Dr. Vishakha N. Desai is Senior Advisor for Global Affairs to the President of Columbia University, Senior Research Scholar at its School of International and Public Affairs, and Chair of the Committee on Global Thought at Columbia University.

From 1990 through 2012, Dr. Desai served in various capacities at the Asia Society, ranging from being Director if its museum, to being the President and CEO of the organization from 2004. She is widely credited with introducing contemporary Asian arts through major exhibitions and publications. A noted scholar of South Asian Art and history, Dr. Desai is well known for her leadership in presenting contemporary Asian art to American audiences and in developing innovative approaches to the relationship between culture and foreign policy in India, China and other Asian countries. In 2012, in recognition of Dr. Desai’s leadership in the museum field, President Barack Obama appointed her to serve on the National Museum and Library Services Board.

In addition to several publications, Dr. Desai is also a frequent contributor to newspapers and magazines in both the US and Asia, and her forthcoming memoir, “World as Family: A Journey of Multi-rooted Belonging,” published by Columbia University press in May 2021.  Dr. Desai is the recipient of five honorary degrees and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Bombay University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Asian Art History from the University of Michigan.

S’bongiseni (S’bo) Vilakazi – South African Politician, Poet, and Peace Advocate

S’bongiseni (S’bo) Vilakazi is a South African politician and poet, recently elected as a Member of Parliament in 2024 under the Democratic Alliance (DA) party. He serves on the Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies. Before entering politics, S’bo directed PeacePlayers International South Africa, a local chapter of a global initiative that uses basketball to bridge divides between conflicting communities. Through his work, he helped foster reconciliation among groups such as blacks and whites in South Africa, Israeli and Palestinian youth in the Middle East, Greek and Turkish Cypriots, and Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.

Danielle Reiff – Peacebuilder and Writer

Danielle Reiff with two decades of experience in international diplomacy, has worked across continents to advance human rights, promote democracy, and support peace and reconciliation processes. She writes a Newsweek opinion column on nonviolence and unity in diversity, and her new book, “Overcoming Information Disorder: A Guide for Cultivating Peaceful Communities in the Digital Age”, will be released in July 2025. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and an alumna of the Rotary Peace Fellowship. 

Event Moderator: Lynnea Bylund – Founder, Ahimsa Peace Institute

Moderating the discussion will be Lynnea Bylund, Founder of the Ahimsa Peace Institute. With a career spanning over four decades, she has held roles as a U.S. Federal Registered small business lobbyist, a representative in the UN’s ECOSOC, and partner in the Gandhi Legacy Tours to India and South Africa, as well as in wireless telecommunications, and international development. Lynnea is also an author and has been recognized as an Ambassador for Peace by the Universal Peace Federation.

 Join Us for This Inspiring Event!

Our panelists bring diverse experiences from around the globe, united by their commitment to nonviolence as a force for good. Their stories will inspire you to think about how Ahimsa can be applied in your own life, and how we can collectively work towards a more peaceful and just world.

Do not miss this powerful conversation!

Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM PDT / 1:00 PM EDT / 2:00 PM Brazil / 7:00 PM SAST (South Africa) / 8:00 PM IDT (Jerusalem) / 10:30 PM IDT (India)
Location: Online (via Zoom) Duration: 90 minutes

Register for the panel https://tinyurl.com/AhimsaPanelReg. Help us spread the message of peace by sharing this post and inviting your community to participate!

Let us work together to honor Gandhi’s legacy and build a future grounded in nonviolence.

Support the Movement for Global Peace

Join us in celebrating the power of nonviolence by supporting the film “AHIMSA – Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless”. This inspiring documentary showcases how Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence have influenced movements for justice and peace across the world.

Help us continue to share this vital message by supporting film screenings in communities worldwide. Your contribution will help bring the teachings of nonviolence to more people, fostering a culture of peace and understanding.

Summary of the Ahimsa In Action Event September 28 – October 5, 2024

Part 1: Register to watch AHIMSA – Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless online here.

Part 2: Register for the Zoom Panel Discussion here.

Meet the Hosts

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