Leaders from all over the world will attend the World Culture Festival in Washington, DC. The festival will take place from September 29th to October 1st, 2023. On September 30th, there will also be a Global Leadership Forum. Those who cannot attend have sent their congratulations and best wishes to Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and the Art of Living Foundation.
Read their inspiring messages below.
Ted Ballieu, Premier of Victoria, Australia 2010-2013
I’m a very proud member of the Welcoming Committee for the World Culture Festival in Washington. Now, sadly, because of some recent hip surgery, I’m now not going to be able to make the trip. But I had the pleasure of attending the World Culture Festival in 2016. It was a triumph and tribute to all of those performers and to the nearly 3 million people who attended.
It was a tribute also to the core message of Art of Living, that simple message, love and gratitude, education and wellbeing, family and friendship, and of course, art and culture, multiculturalism and peace. Above all, it was a tribute to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder of Art of Living, whose vision this has been. He really has captured the hearts of the globe. In my view, he’s one of the great community leaders of the world. His message is more important now than ever.
May Washington be another whirl of welcome and wonder. If you can, get there. It’s going to be an extraordinary event. My warmest wishes to all involved, and I look forward to seeing the results, even if I’m just seeing it on a digital platform. Thanks very much. Have a joyful World Culture Festival!
Ansprache Pablo Ciano, Board of Management, DHL Group
Hello everyone, and congratulations to all the participants and organizers of the Global Leadership Forum and the World Culture Festival. This is an amazing event with a lot of amazing institutions being represented. With DHL, I would have loved to be there, but unfortunately, I have a lot of other personal commitments that didn’t allow me to do so.
This is a very, very important event. I believe we have the opportunity to shape how institutions, companies, and governments can positively contribute to making this a better place for everyone and improving working conditions.
Congratulations also on the 20th anniversary of the World Forum for Ethics in Business, and especially to the founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Thank you for your persistence, vision, and for creating this event. Enjoy, have a wonderful time, and I’m looking forward to the amazing conversations that I’m sure you will have.
Mauricio Macri, Former President of Argentina
It’s a true honor to be part of the World Culture Festival. This event is a historic celebration that embraces the diversity of cultures, races, and religions that make our world unique. The World Culture Festival is a time to rise above the borders that sometimes divide us. Our differences shouldn’t be a source of conflict but a source of strength.
Today, we have an opportunity to stand together as a global community and send a powerful message to the world, a message of unity, love, and peace, because it’s only together that we can shape a better future. Thank you.
Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines
I convey my warmest greetings to everyone attending the World Culture Festival. The purpose of this esteemed event is profound as it reminds us that the entire world is one big family and that, despite our differences, it’s possible for us to coexist and appreciate each other’s cultures.
As Filipinos, we take pride in our cultural diversity. We understand the importance of respecting one another, and we know that our diverse experiences both strengthen and enrich our people, making us more adaptable and resilient as a people.
So as we join hands at this Festival, let kindness, compassion, and empathy, the same values that bind us together as members of humanity, guide our every endeavor as together we build our shared future. Let us embrace the idea that it’s through understanding, dialogue, and cooperation that we can build a truly peaceful and prosperous world for all. Happy World Culture Festival!
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