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Boston: The Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the AI World Society (AIWS) have conferred the 2025 World Leader for Peace and Security Award upon Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, recognising his extraordinary contributions to global peace-building, reconciliation, and humanitarian leadership.This distinction marks the 10th anniversary of the World Leader for Peace and Security Award (2015–2025), which celebrates world leaders who embody moral courage, visionary governance, and compassion in advancing global peace and ethical progress.Since its inception, the award has honoured exceptional figures who have strengthened the moral and strategic foundations of world peace.Previous laureates include:To commemorate its tenth year, the Boston Global Forum honoured Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, reaffirming that peace in the 21st century must be built on inner harmony, interfaith dialogue, and ethical technology.This honour places India’s spiritual and humanitarian leadership alongside the world’s most respected statesmen and visionaries. Gurudev’s recognition underscores India’s position as “Vishwa Guru” on the world stage, demonstrating how ancient wisdom continues to guide global ethics and modern governance.Gurudev was recognised for his global leadership in peace and reconciliation, his humanitarian impact across 180 countries, and his moral guidance in the AI and digital age.The Forum described him as a “bridge-builder free from agenda or bias.” His peace interventions have gone far beyond dialogue — he has personally mediated in several conflict regions, including:The Boston Global Forum praised Gurudev for making peace a lived experience rather than an abstract ideal.Through The Art of Living Foundation, he has taught practical techniques such as SKY Breath Meditation (Sudarshan Kriya), which reduce stress, heal trauma, and foster emotional resilience — the vital foundations for peacebuilding.Founded in 1981, The Art of Living Foundation has inspired millions to live stress-free and compassionate lives. Its initiatives include:The Foundation’s reach and grassroots impact have established Gurudev as one of the world’s foremost advocates of nonviolence, emotional well-being, and interfaith unity.In his address, Gurudev emphasised the importance of integrating spirituality and peace education into global governance:Founded in 2012 by Governor Michael Dukakis and Nguyen Anh Tuan, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) is a leading international think tank promoting peace, innovation, and ethical governance.Its initiative, the AI World Society (AIWS), envisions a human-centred, ethical civilisation guided by conscience and collaboration in the era of Artificial Intelligence.To commemorate this ten-year milestone, the BGF–AIWS Family will launch a series of new initiatives, including the World Leader Spirit Symposium and the World Leader Spirit Concert, with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar serving as the guiding moral voice for interfaith dialogue and ethical leadership in the AI age.The award marks yet another milestone in Gurudev’s remarkable journey, following his recent North America tour, which drew thousands to collective moments of silence, reflection, and inspiration.In a pioneering initiative, Gurudev launched the Institute of Absolute Intelligence in Los Angeles, uniting neuroscientists, scholars, and spiritual thinkers to explore the frontier where consciousness meets artificial intelligence. The Institute seeks to blend ancient wisdom with modern inquiry, unlocking new dimensions of awareness and human potential.During this visit, several cities across North America formally honoured Gurudev’s humanitarian contributions:Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell described Gurudev as “a globally respected humanitarian and peace ambassador whose work has uplifted more than 800 million people across 180 countries.”On October 20, 2025, Portland hosted an unforgettable evening of peace, wisdom, and meditation at the Oregon Convention Centre Ballroom, drawing over 1,300 participants — the largest peace meditation gathering in the city in recent years.The event united students, families, professionals, and community leaders, alongside organisations dedicated to social healing and community wellbeing, including Elevate Oregon, Medicine Bear, Love Is Stronger, BMIT, and the Oregon Chinese Coalition.The evening was graced by the Mayor of Tigard, who presented a formal Proclamation recognising Gurudev and The Art of Living Foundation for their outstanding contributions to peace and wellbeing. Both the Mayor of Portland and the Governor of Oregon also declared October 20th as “Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Day.”State Representative Lesly Muñoz, an advocate for mental health and youth wellbeing, attended the event and praised the initiative’s transformative impact on individual and community resilience.
