29-31 July 2023, Jaipur – C20 concluding session
Amma, serving as the Chair of G20 India’s Civil Society Engagement Group, conveyed a message of hope during the ongoing Civil 20 (C20) Summit in Jaipur. With 1,090 attendees from India and across the globe participating in this three-day event, Amma emphasized the necessity for humanity to unite in order to ensure the long-term survival and safety of our planet. She emphasized embracing overarching values and principles while working together as a unified whole to achieve this noble goal.
In her address, Amma underscored the importance of the ethos of “vasudhaiva kuṭuṁbakam” वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम् – the world is one big family. {news} She called for this shared sense of unity to be incorporated into school curriculums, stressing that failure to do so could lead to the unchecked growth of greed, endangering our very existence. Amma concluded with a heartfelt wish for a world where each nation is like a beautiful petal in a divine flower, radiating happiness and unity.
The C20 Summit was a remarkable occasion marked by sincere dedication, love, and hard work by its 16 Working Groups. Addressing the delegates, Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Defence, Govt. of India, highlighted India’s presidency of the G20 as an opportunity to address global challenges through dialogue and emphasized the Indian philosophy of vasudhaiva kutumbakam and the need for a “one world, one family” approach to life and socio-economic structures.
In totality, C20 orchestrated over 12,040 events, spanning across India’s diverse states and extending its reach to countries like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Kenya, Korea, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States, uniting individuals in a harmonious endeavor to promote a compassionate ethos, seamlessly infusing compassion into every facet of life, a message that resonated throughout their collective activities. This encompassed:
- 584 policy discussions
- 347 chaupals (consultation meetings with local CSOs)
- 341 samajshalas (collective activities with partner organisations such as cleanliness drives or debate)
- 12 ambassador programs (youth activities in their campuses and localities)
- 91 additional events (such as inaugural events, webinars, and side events)
- 10,670 mass outreach events (Jan Bhagidari)
Amma has also initiated the global Civil20 999 Challenge in February 2023, involving 65+ Indian schools and 6500+ students, showcasing the positive impact of yoga and meditation on mental health. Participants reported improved well-being and peace within their schools and families. The challenge aimed to engage 1 million participants worldwide by June 21st, 2023, coinciding with International Yoga Day, featuring three components: 9 rounds of Surya Namaskar, 9 minutes of Meditation for World Peace, and daily practice for 9 days.
Shri Vijay Nambiar, a retired Ambassador of India and former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, emphasized the role of civil society organizations as bridges and moral compasses that prevent the atomization of society. He called on the UN and the G20 to take bold actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and praised the policy recommendations and examples of successful work presented by the C20’s 16 Working Groups. The C20, serving as a platform for Civil Society Organizations worldwide, plays a vital role in expressing people’s aspirations to G20 leaders and addressing global economic issues, guided by the compassionate wisdom of Amma.
