Fifth International Peace and Emotional Literacy Conference Concluded

The participants at the 5th international conference which included educationists, psychologists, and peace advocates; stated that peace and prosperity in the world is ensured only if emotional intelligence education is incorporated into our educational system.

The conference on “Global Peace through Emotional Intelligence (EI), Inclusive Education, Positive Psychology, and Unity in Cultural Diversity” by World without Anger (WWA) and Global Peace Foundation (GPF), was held on 1 November 2014, in Kathmandu, Nepal. It was inaugurated by the Minister for Peace, Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Narahari Acharya. Participating were 18 research scholars and experts from the USA, South Africa, Japan, Bangladesh, UAE, India, U.K. and the host country Nepal. They each presented important research papers related to their areas of specialty, such as Peace Psychology, Emotional Intelligence, Cultural Diversity, Buddhist Philosophy, Human Resource Management, and Education.

Mr. Acharya, in his speech after the inauguration, said that in order to have peace in our society, each individual was required to cultivate changes in attitude and behavior. And that this could be possible only through right education which included norms and human values. He also stated that to ensure political stability and peace in the country, the government is busy working for the promulgation of the constitution. Similarly, Bhimsendas Pradhan, a Constituent Assembly member from the Government of Nepal stated that mutual harmony and cultural diversity should be encouraged among the general population by rising awareness. There were 150 participants who actively participated.

In his message to the conference, Dr. Dean Van Leuven, Founder Patron, WWA stated ” The introduction of emotional literacy training in the schools of Nepal by WWA in Association with Lumbini Buddhist University and UNESCO Nepal, was a great moment in WWA history, and this Conference is another great moment”. In this regard UNESCO Nepal offered partial financial assistance to fulfill the mission of WWA. Prof. Dr. Santa Niraula, Head, Department of Psychology, Tribhuvan University remarked that such research papers on several topics are currently needed by the country, and that WWA has been doing this since 2009.

Prof. Talbot W. Rogers, PhD, Lincoln Memorable University, USA, the keynote speaker at the conference, highlighted the need to include skills-based and capacity building courses in education in both the private and governmental sectors. Likewise, participants put emphasis on the need to initiate campaigns that could bring forth social awareness, moral and positive changes through positive psychology and cultural sensitivity. Also at the conference, Prof. Murari Prasad Regmi, PhD, Chief Advisor, Advisory Committee, WWA was honored by the Honorable Minister Narahari Acharya, for his valuable contributions to World Without Anger (WWA) from 2007 to date. Prof. Regmi, as the guest speaker, stressed the need for the research papers presented, and proper follow-up of the research outcomes. The Dean of Kumanun University Campus, Almora, India, Prof. Aradhan Sukla, expressed her experience at the conference with regard fo the concept of wellbeing and that it is important for psychologists and mental health workers to be emotionally intelligent, balanced, and remain happy, in order to achieve better results in life.

Dr. Bhadra Ratna Bajracharya, Dean, Lumbini Buddhist University, Lumbini, Nepal, highlighted the conference program by saying that the activities of WWA go side by side with the Buddha’s philosophy to establish peace, prosperity, and harmony in society. Dr. Rabindra Kumar Shakya, Former Vice-Chairman, National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal, as a guest speaker, stated that the activities of WWA are appreciable and useful in helping society to be guided by social intelligence, and therefore it is expected they will continue their support in the days ahead.

Er. Ram Rohan Panta, President, Global Peace Foundation, Nepal, and Co-chairman of the inaugural ceremony remarked that in order to minimize the conflict and chaos in the world, emotional intelligence would be an advantage as a part of our modern educational system in order to maintain cohesiveness and cultural diversity in the present day social structure.
Dr. Laxman Shakya, Program Director of WWA, in his welcome speech expressed his deep feelings of encouragement for supporting the genuine activities of WWA for peace and prosperity and for the growth of society through such international conferences.

In his concluding remarks, Chairman of the Conference and President of WWA, Mr. DM Basnet, drew the attention of the participants by stating that emotional intelligence education makes life positive, and fosters a sense of knowledge and wisdom in order to create greater peace, harmony, and solidarity in our present day society.

To conclude the conference, Mr. Dil Bikash Rajbhandari, Industrialist and Sr. Social Worker, Chief Guest; and Mr. Karna Bahadur Shahi, President of the National PABSAN, Central Committee, Special Guest, Kathmandu, Nepal; also emphasized the importance of extending needful support and cooperation to WWA. Likewise, Dr. Mohammad Khalid from Bangladesh and Prof. Dr. Soezin Krog from South Africa spoke about the importance of the program on Emotional Intelligence and Peace education. Prof. Bijaya Prakash Shrestha, Peace Ambassador to USA also highlighted the program adding his wonderful visit to America in 2013, especially, a meeting with Dr. Dean Van Leuven, Founder Patron, WWA and the team of World Emotional Literacy League (WELL), USA, and recalled the support offered by WELL and Life Without Anger (LWA), USA.

Mr. Bharat Giri, General Secretary of WWA, welcomed and spoke about the overall WWA activities, policies, challenges, and the need for support from concerned individuals and agencies. Chairperson of the Closing Ceremony Dr. Laxman Shakya, Program Director WWA thanked all the participants for their active involvement in the conference throughout the day, and also invited them to join with the WWA mission.

Eventually, the Chief Guest of the closing ceremony presented the certificate of appreciation to the paper presenters, participants, and also to those who directly or indirectly extended support and cooperation.

WWA will organize the 6th international conference focusing on the academic research papers from several national and international organizations, and the main objective of this conference will be that of developing inter-organizational relationships through emotional intelligence and peace education in our modern day society.