The First World Youth Conference on Kindness has been organised by the UNESCO, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development with the aim to impart critical competencies in the global youth to inspire, empower and enable them to transform themselves and build long-lasting peace in their communities.

While addressing the gathering at the first World Youth Conference on ‘Kindness’, President Kovind said that Mahatma Gandhi was not just a great leader and visionary, he was one who personified certain timeless ideals and values.

He added that Gandhiji is someone who could be placed in a time machine and transported to any human existence and would remain extremely relevant till present-day.

The President said that the dispute and violence that we see in the world today is often based in deep-rooted prejudices. These make us see the world through the binary of “us versus them”.

The President added that following Gandhiji’s footsteps, we must allow ourselves and our children interact and engage with those whom we tend to define as ‘them’.

Greater interaction is the best way to develop a sensitive understanding, which can help us overcome our prejudices.

The President said that education too can play an important role in overcoming our prejudices. We need to evaluate and evolve the premise, goals and structure of our education system.

Education must rise beyond mere literacy. Education must facilitate and challenge the young to search deep within themselves and build their inner strength to sympathise or relate to the suffering of others.

We need them to be educated and be creative in finding solutions to entrenched structural injustices and inequities.

The President noted that this Conference has brought together youth leaders from across the globe.

He said that these youth leaders and millions of young men and women are responsible for making our world kind, compassionate and peaceful.

He has expressed confidence that what the youth leaders learn and experience in this Conference will inspire each one of them to be the ambassadors of kindness for the rest of their lives. 

Youth leaders, representing over 27 countries, are participating in this Conference