Human Values

The Challenge

We can generally observe that there is a decline in the basic human values of compassion, generosity, sharing and caring, trust, patience, perseverance, dignity and humility etc and hellip; We are born with these human values. They are the hallmark of human evolution and the basis of a peaceful and prosperous world. Their decline in the world is due to many factors, the main one being stress. Volunteers organise stress-relief camps, holistic educational programmessmemes and multi-ethnic festivals, that enablepeople to develope a sense of belongingness cohesion between families and communities.

Human value based education

Over the last three decades, the Art of Living Foundation has been effectively revolutionising education in India by bringing in a paradigm shift both in terms of reaching out to the underprivileged sections and integrating values into the system. Inspired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and rsquo;s vision for value education to all, the Art of Living Foundation, today, runs 86 schools in the tribal and rural belts of India where child labor and poverty are widespread. Nearly 7,500 children from economically deprived areas benefit from this initiative every year. These children would otherwise have been in fields, on the road, in factories - anywhere but in school.

Under its Care for Children project, the Art of Living Foundation is not only providing free and value education to children from the underprivileged sections, but also addressing the social, economic and cultural barriers that keep children away from school. The emphasis is on the complete development of a child's full potential by creating an environment that fosters learning. A proven process of self-learning that builds life skills and nurtures leadership is being followed and teachers are given special orientation and training.

A Revolution for Education - Fostering Wholesome Learning

By combining formal education with life skills such as relaxation tools and emotional maturity, the Art of Living schools provide a conducive and stress-free atmosphere of learning to children. Special attention is also given to human values, health and hygiene. The emphasis is on creating a sense of caring and sharing in each child. Along with academic excellence, a child and rsquo;s natural innocence and a spirit of service are also nurtured. Another area of emphasis is the education of the girls. All educational institutions of the Art of Living have an in-built mechanism to support the girls. These schools also educate parents on the advantage of educating their girl offspring. Many of the Art of Living Foundation and rsquo;s schools in the tribal and rural belt have anganwadis and balwadis (cr and egrave;ches) to ensure that girls who take care of their younger siblings can also attend school.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has also laid the foundation for a multi-disciplinary university to produce tomorrow and rsquo;s leaders and managers of change who are socially and spiritually inclined.

The Art of Living Foundation and rsquo;s educational initiatives are a universal endeavour to create an ethical society through integrated value education.