With the consent of head of Parliament, Colombia will bestow its highest declaration award ‘Orden de la Democracia Simon Boliviar en el grado de cruz Caballero’ on Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Spiritual leader, humanitarian & Founder, Art of Living on June 24, 2015.
In a written letter the President of the Honourable Congress of the Republic of Colombia, Fabio Raul Amin Saleme, lauded the important work done by the spiritual guru on peace issues, conflict resolution, and rehabilitation work in war ridden areas. It also highlighted the notable work done by Art of Living in Colombia for the past 8 years and invited him to help, “in the construction of a more inclusive and less violent society, where we can accept one and other.”
Gurudev has earlier been bestowed Numerous honours by India and countries across the globe including the Order of the Pole Star (the highest state honour in Mongolia), Highest civilian award ‘National Order of Merito de Comuneros’ in Paraguay. Gurudev has addressed several international forums, including the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit (2000), the World Economic Forum (2001, 2003) and several parliaments across the globe.
A multi-faceted social activist, Gurudev’s initiatives include conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, poverty alleviation, empowerment of women, prisoner rehabilitation, education for all and campaigns against female foeticide and child labour. He is engaged in peace negotiations and counselling in conflict zones around the world. His expertise in bringing opposing parties to the negotiating table in areas such as Sri Lanka, Iraq, the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Kashmir and Bihar is widely acknowledged.
