Viratnagar, Rajasthan: Kailash Satyarthi, a Nobel Laureate, delivered a powerful message urging youth to become beacons of compassion and advocate for positive change in the world. He made this call at the launch of the inaugural Youth Summit on Human Fraternity and Compassion in Viratnagar, Rajasthan. Organized by the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC) in partnership with the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, this summit has drawn over 600 young leaders from various parts of India and the world.
Mr. Satyarthi emphasized the urgent need to globalize compassion and address the societal divisions and fractures that have become increasingly prominent. He stated, "For the first time in the world, 500-600 youth have gathered under one roof to globalize compassion. Compassion has always been talked about, but today it has become a necessity due to the divisions within society and fractures in the world. Those who have gathered here today are part of history, contributing to the global movement of compassion."
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, echoed these sentiments and stressed the importance of connecting human fraternity with compassion. He affirmed, "No human being is born with enmity or innate discrimination and hatred. All religions in the world call for compassion."
Leymah Gbowee, the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Liberia, shared a personal experience illustrating the transformative power of compassion. She recounted how a former child soldier showed her a peaceful and compassionate way to seek justice when her village was destroyed.
The inaugural Youth Summit on Human Fraternity and Compassion is a three-day event taking place in Viratnagar, Rajasthan, from September 30th to October 2nd, 2023. It serves as a platform for global thought leaders, youth influencers, advocates of human fraternity, religious leaders, decision-makers, and change agents to engage in meaningful discussions and explore pathways to heal an increasingly fractured world. The summit is guided by the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity, with a focus on the global promotion of compassion.
SMGC is a global movement committed to igniting "Compassion in Action" around the world. It draws inspiration from Kailash Satyarthi's four decades of groundbreaking work as a social reformer. SMGC strives to promote compassion in all facets of society, spanning from education to business to government. Additionally, it endeavors to build bridges between diverse cultures and religions and promote peace and understanding on a global scale.
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an independent global accolade that celebrates individuals and institutions dedicated to dismantling societal divisions and strengthening human connections. With a substantial monetary prize of USD 1 million, the award is presented annually on February 4th, in conjunction with the UN-recognized International Day of Human Fraternity.
