NEW YORK, NEW YORK, November 3, 2006: The first Global Youth Peace Summit organized by the United Nations and co-sponsored by Sri Mohanial Mittal and the Vishwa Pravasi Bharatiya Leader’s Forum was held October 28-31. Youth from 192 countries met to discuss how they can help bring peace, eliminate poverty and help achieve the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. Pujaya Swami Chidananda Saraswati was the only spiritual leader asked to participate, serving as guide and mentor to participants. Pujya Swamiji addressed the youth on the theme of “The Role of Youth in Peace building,” speaking about the importance of first being in peace ourselves before we can bring peace to the world. “If you are in peace, you will exude peace, you will manifest peace, you will spread peace. But if you are in pieces, what can you share with the world? Only pieces.” He gave practical suggestions for how to build peace internally as well as in their communities and then on a global level.
Prior to the Summit, there was a two-day peace building retreat for youth from war-torn areas held in upstate New York. Pujya Swamiji helped guide the youth toward finding ways that they can lead the world toward a beautiful, bright, peaceful future. Youth from Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel and other countries came together to join hands and discuss how they can build a more peaceful world.