Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has founded courses that provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life. He has established nonprofit organizations that recognize a common human identity above the boundaries of race, nationality and religion. His goal is to uplift people around the globe, to reduce stress, and to develop leaders so that human values can flourish in people and communities.
Gurudev has inspired a wave of volunteerism and service, resulting in one of the largest volunteer-based organizations in the world, with more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers engaged in service projects in 156 countries.
Building Africa, Building the World during COVID times
May 26, 2020
“iMeditateAfrica” continues with specific focus on COVID times.
“Meditation has the ability to connect us all beyond the boundaries of caste, creed & nationality.”
~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Gurudev has launched several initiatives to address mental health issues in Africa. Continuing the series of Africa Day (May 25th) and Africa Month (May 2020); Gurudev engages in an annual continent-wide campaign called iMeditateAfrica (IMA).
3,101,558 people meditate for peace during Africa Month through the iMeditate Africa campaign!
May this sense of peace & unity carry our continent forward. Thank you!#imeditateafrica #worldmeditates #srisriravishankar #meditate #peaceforafrica #africanunity pic.twitter.com/B1uhnvF1tp— IAHV South Africa (@iahv_sa) May 26, 2020
A Lancet Global Health report says: Mental health problems appear to be increasing in importance in Africa.
Between 2000 and 2015 the continent’s population grew by 49%, yet the number of years lost to disability as a result of mental and substance use disorders increased by 52%.
In 2015, 17·9 million years were lost to disability as a consequence of mental health problems.
As a part of the 'I Meditate Africa' series, engaged with Africa's leadership @PaddyUpton1 @kuminaidoo @adrianamarais @AdHabb @KPMG_SA @julienambi David Norris, S Karim & Manhar Mooney. Discussed about the role of meditation in driving innovation in Education, Health & Commerce. pic.twitter.com/AHGN7Lb5kZ
— Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) May 21, 2020
Meditation has the ability to connect us all beyond the boundries of caste, creed & nationality.
Had a discussion with African leaders Hon. Mrs. Leela Devi, Prof. Fred, Mary Khaemba, @PearlThusi @skaheru @ArtscapeTheatre & @RudoChitiga on 'Africa Unites’. #WorldMeditates— Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) May 23, 2020
Through a series of 3 online conversations, Gurudev connected with several political and other leaders from different industries.
Speakers
- Hon. Leela Devi Dookun
MAURITIUS
Vice PM, Minister of Education, Science and Technology - Amb. Rudo M. Chitiga
ZIMBABWE
Senior diplomat and development expert - Marlene Le-Roux
SOUTH AFRICA
Co-founder, Women’s achievement network for disability - Pearl Thusi
SOUTH AFRICA
Actress, model, TV and radio personality - Mary Khaemba
KENYA
Director, Rehabilitation and welfare, Kenya Prisons - Manhar Mooney
BOTSWANA
Businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist - Ignatius Sehoole
SOUTH AFRICA
CEO, KPMG, South Africa - Juliet Namuddu Nambi
UGANDA
Directorate, Education and social services - Simon Kaheru
UGANDA
Former director and chairperson, Uganda Broadcasting Corp. - Prof. Fred McBagonluri
GHANA
President and provost, Academic City College - Prof. Salim Abdool Karim
SOUTH AFRICA
Chair: Ministerial advisory committee on COVID-19 - Prof. Adam Habib
SOUTH AFRICA
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of the Witwatersrand - Dr. Adriana Marais
SOUTH AFRICA
Physicist and founder of Proudly Human - Prof. David Norris
BOTSWANA
Vice Chancellor, University of Botswana - Paddy Upton
SOUTH AFRICA
Head coach, T20 cricket. Professor, Deakin University - Kumi Naidoo
SOUTH AFRICA
African human rights and environmental activist
We are really touched at what we do at a spiritual level, artist are your best partners, particularly at the level they keep all of us safe and they ensure our souls as a nation are kept intact.
~ Nathi Mthethwa, Honorable Minister of Sports, Arts and CultureEvery action begins with a seed. That is intention. We have sown the seed for a prosperous and peaceful Africa. We now have to nurture this by our actions.
~ Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar