Representatives of the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence meet India’s envoy to the United Nations

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In a bid to promote a world free of war and violence, a delegation from the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence along with Permanent Observer of the University for Peace to the United Nations, Ramu Damodaran met with Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, P. Harish, on October 14, 2024, at the Permanent Mission of India in New York.

The 3rd World March, which began in Costa Rica on October 2, 2024, will pass through Central and North America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and South America before concluding back in Costa Rica on January 5, 2025. To commemorate the March, numerous countries will host events related to the March, drawing the participation of hundreds of thousands of peace activists.

The delegation’s core team, consisting of Alessandro Capuzzo from Italy, Juan Gomez from Chile, and Vanessa Vaglio from Costa Rica, expressed their gratitude for India’s support of the global march promoting peace and nonviolence worldwide.

During the meeting, Ambassador Harish stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as a means to resolve conflicts among groups and nations. He highlighted the efforts of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been seeking diplomatic non-violent solutions to crises, including conflicts between Ukraine and Russia and Israel and Palestine.

According to Pressenza, the delegation presented a document to Ambassador Harish, emphasizing the need to uphold the neutrality of the Trieste region, supported by the UN Security Council Resolution 16. The region serves as the final destination of the Cotton Route which originates in India. These trade relations make India a crucial player in being able to orchestrate peace in the Middle East.

The Ambassador concurred with the delegation’s call to action to end wars and violence globally, and spoke of India’s culture of peace and nonviolence, rooted in Gandhian principles. He acknowledged the Mahatma’s vital contributions to fostering a peaceful and just world.

Ambassador Harish also expressed his concerns regarding armed conflicts occurring worldwide, particularly in Africa, where the situation in Sudan has resulted in more casualties than the conflict in Ukraine. He emphasized that these issues, along with the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, are equally troubling.

When asked about the delegation’s meeting with Ambassador Harish, Damodaran told South Asian Herald, “It was an honor for the marchers to meet Ambassador Harish. He has served with distinction as India’s Ambassador in two countries, Vietnam and Germany, once divided by conflict and now united in peace.” He went on to say, “He now leads India’s mission to the United Nations which, as it begins its eightieth year, seeks a truly popular, truly global investment in its hopes and ideals, an investment the march so eloquently affirms.”

Damodaran highlighted that the 3^rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence began on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary from the campus of the University for Peace, where a statue of Gandhi stands. According to him, this March embodies the University’s Charter, which promotes “understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence,” among all people. It echoes the many marches the Mahatma led during India’s awakening, symbolizing the nation’s peaceful quest for identity and independence.

The delegation, along with Damodaran, also met Sabita Geer, the UN Representative of the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University Institute and other peace activists on October 15^th, at the United Nations Headquarters to reiterate their commitment to ending wars and violence.

The delegation plans on hosting a major event in Costa Rica at the conclusion of the World March. The event would feature a concert with musicians from around the world, aimed at promoting peace, nonviolence, and global harmony as essential paths for humanity’s progress and coexistence with all beings on the planet.

“It is troubling to note there is violence everywhere in the world. I think the solution is to start promoting peace among immediate family and community members to end wars and violence among societies,” Vagilo told South Asian Herald.

(Used with permission from South Asian Herald)