A panel discussion titled, ‘Our World Unified for Peace’,
attended by eminent personalities, was held at the WeSchool Mumbai campus
As Mumbai bows to pay respect to the martyrs and victims of 26/11 attacks on Mumbai on its 6th anniversary, Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) facilitated a panel discussion based on a research paper titled, ‘Our World Unified for PEACE’ prepared by its students. The event was held at WeSchool campus in Mumbai on November 26, 2014, at 04:00 pm. ‘Global Peace Initiative’ is conceptualized by Ms. Kia Scherr, co-founder, One Life Alliance, an NGO, jointly with WeSchool as its knowledge and project partner.
Padmabhushan Smt Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development was the Chief Guest at the panel discussion. The panel discussion saw eminent personalities like Shailesh Haribhakti, Chairman, BDO Consulting, Shaina NC, Ace designer, Dolly Thakore, veteran theater personality, Brig. (Retd). Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, MVC, VSM, and Sadanand Date, Joint Police Commissioner, which was moderated by Sarosh Bana, Executive Editor, Business India.
The panelists expressed their solidarity with the Global Peace Initiative and discussed how youth is stopping violence in conflict areas worldwide. The Global Peace Initiative journey started three years ago at WeSchool and has pledged its commitment to continue its efforts in spreading the message of peace and communal harmony not only in Mumbai but the world over. The panel discussion was followed by a cultural event - ‘We Wish You Peace’ – that witnessed eminent personalities from media, Bollywood, television, education, sports and corporate who walked the ramp with children from NGOs for the cause of global peace.
Prof Dr Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, WeSchool said, “As the environment at WeSchool empowers our students to collaborate with communities to prevent social conflicts, strengthen ethnic relations and develop a culture of empathy, Global Peace Initiative is one such of our endeavours to make them understand their role and responsibility in building a better world.”
Smt Rajashree Birla, while delivering the keynote address, appreciated WeSchool’s initiative and said, “It is heartwarming to see educational institutions like WeSchool and its students commemorate the martyrs of the 26/11 tragedy, and discuss important issues like global peace. I believe to achieve global peace; we first need to achieve inner peace by sticking to our roots and values, and not forsaking them under any circumstances.”
In an emotional speech, Kia Scherr of One Life Alliance, expressed her painful loss. She thanked the members of the panel for discussing global peace and highly appreciated the efforts taken by WeSchool to engage students and spread awareness about unity and peace. She said, “The key element that drives people to work towards achieving world peace is love, for their people, their country, and the commitment to protect them.”