Bringing “Peace Through Unity:” An Interfaith Exploration

The theme of the panel discussion will revolve around the question: “How is your community bringing ‘Peace through Unity’ to our world and thus helping to usher in a ‘New Earth’?”

The Interfaith Movement has been a catalyst for change, peace, and unity for over a century. During this panel we will get to hear about the many different ways that numerous traditions/movements are taking throughout the world to create “Peace though Unity”.

We look forward to a very enlightening, informative, and inspiring discussion.

Rev. Diane Berke is a visionary spiritual leader, author, and educator who has dedicated her life to guiding others on their inner journeys. As Founder and Spiritual Director of One Spirit Learning Alliance, an interspiritual educational organization, she has inspired countless individuals to live lives of purpose, meaning, and service. With a background in psychology and a deep understanding of diverse spiritual traditions, Diane seamlessly bridges the psychological and spiritual realms to offer transformative teachings, spiritual inspiration, and companionship on the journey of awakening. Her compassion, wisdom, and commitment to service have made her a respected figure in the field of spiritual development. Through her writing, teaching, and depth of presence, Diane continues to touch many lives, nurturing connection, clarity, and inner peace in an ever-changing world.

Patrick Carolan is a Catholic activist, organizer and writer. He served as the Executive director of the Franciscan Action Network for ten years; he co-founded the Global Catholic Climate Movement and Catholics Vote Common Good. His writing and activism are centered on his understanding and belief through Franciscan spirituality of the connectedness of all creation and God.

Dr. Jyotindra Dave, Academic Scholar with special focus on Philosophy and Culture. Actively involved in the translation of culture and philosophy into everyday life and its presentation. Author of numerous papers, publications and lectures. Currently Director of Swaminarayan Shodh Sansthan, Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi; Spokesperson, Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi. Former General President, Akhil Bharatiya Darshan Parishad at Sri Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Jammu.

Delivered five presentations on Hinduism at II-VI (2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018) Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions at Astana, Kazakhstan.

Audrey E. Kitagawa, J.D., is President/Founder of the International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation, President of the Light of Awareness International Spiritual Family, and Chair of the Anti-Racism Initiative and the Gender Equality Working Group of the G20 Interfaith Forum. She is the former Advisor to the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict at the UN, a UN Representative for the URI, a member of the Advisory Council of the Global Security Institute, and a Board member of the International Center for Religion and Democracy. She has been listed in Who’s Who of American Law, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who In the World, and Prominent People of Hawaii. She was enstooled into the royal family of Ajiyamanti, Ghana as the Nekoso Hemaa (Queen Mother of Development) where a school she helped to build, the Nana Ode Anyankobea Junior Secondary School, is named after her.

Dr. A. K. Merchant is the General Secretary, Temple of Understanding India Foundation.  He also serves as National Trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust; President, Mintra Foundation; Joint Secretary, Shanti Sahyog Centre for Nonviolence; Visiting Faculty, Centre for Cultural Resources & Training, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. A subject expert for research scholars enrolled for “interfaith education and Indian culture” of the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund. An active member of the Bahá’í Faith since 1975, he is Secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Delhi and until May 2023 as Recording Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India.

Dr. Merchant is author of: (i) Communal Harmony—India’s Greatest Challenge (1991), which has been quoted in one of the Supreme Court Judgments on “Babri Masjid—Ram Janambhoomi” dispute, (ii) Hindu Dharma evam Bahá’í Dharma (1999), (iii) Five Basic Human Values & the Bahá’í Faith (2009), (iv) Aspects of Education & Capacity Building—An Interfaith Perspective (2023) and over two hundred fifty articles and research papers that have been published in national and international dailies, journals and books.

He is an active promoter of Gender Equality; the Environment and Ecology; World Peace, Agenda 2030—U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, inter alia.

Rev. Deborah Moldow is an ordained interfaith minister committed to assisting in the transformation of human consciousness to a culture of peace. Deborah is the founder of the Garden of Light, an online platform that provides a virtual home for a new community rooted in the emerging global spirituality. She is Director of the Evolutionary Leaders Circle, an initiative of the Source of Synergy Foundation that brings together visionaries committed to the acceleration of conscious evolution. She is a co-editor of the award-winning 2020 book by 43 Evolutionary Leaders, “Our Moment of Choice: Evolutionary Visions and Hope for the Future.” She is also Vision Keeper at Unity.Earth. Deborah served for more than 20 years as the Representative to the United Nations of May Peace Prevail on Earth International. At the United Nations, she co-chaired the International Day of Peace NGO Committee, the Values Caucus, and the United Religions Initiative multi-faith Cooperation Circle, URI-UN.

Rev. Deborah makes her home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she leads a monthly Spirit Salon.

Sadhvi Bhagawati Sarawati,Ph.D (Sadhviji) is a renowned spiritual leader and motivational speaker, based in Rishikesh, India. She’s the author of newly released #1 bestselling memoir, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. A graduate of Stanford University, and a PhD in psychology, Sadhviji has lived on the banks of the sacred Ganga river, in the lap of the Himalayas for more than 25 years engaged in spiritual service, wisdom teaching, sacred action, and deep spiritual practice.

Sadhviji is the Secretary-General of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, President of Divine and Director of the world-famous International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh. She serves on the United Nations Advisory Council on Religion and on the steering committees of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) and the Moral Imperative to End Extreme Poverty, a campaign by the United Nations and World Bank.

Sadhviji gives keynote addresses at large fora. Her talks blend the knowledge and logic of the West with the insights, spirituality and wisdom of the East, and she is renowned as a spiritual bridge between the two cultures. Sadhviji is a beacon of wisdom and inspiration. Her approach is inclusive and non-dogmatic, and she encourages individuals to forge their own unique paths. Sadhviji has received numerous national and international awards and recognition for her work with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene as well as women’s upliftment and empowerment.  She was recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by U.S. President Joe Biden for her lifelong commitment to volunteer service.

She was also the Managing Editor for the monumental project of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism. She oversees a variety of humanitarian projects, teaches meditation, lectures, writes, counsels individuals and families and serves as a unique female voice of spiritual leadership throughout India and the world.

Website: http://www.Sadhviji.org

Dr.Mohinder Singh is currently Professor-Director of National Institute of Panjab Studies, Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, New Delhi. Earlier he served as the Director, Guru Nanak Foundation; Member, National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions, Government of India; Professor of Eminence, Punjabi University, Patiala, and Visiting Professor of Sikhism, Centre for Global Studies, University of California. In 1974, Dr. Singh was awarded a fellowship by the Indian Council of historical Research to carry on his research work on the Akali Movement in the United Kingdom, which later earned him his doctorate. Author of several standard works on Sikh history and religion, Dr. Singh sits on the Advisory Boards of several national and International organizations.

Watch it live on UNITY EARTH TV –  https://unity.earth/tv/