ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
Care for others and share whatever you have with those less fortunate than you.
Broaden your vision, for the whole world belongs to you." Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
To live life fully and freely is an art, requiring skill, intuition, creativity, and knowledge. The Art of Living, through its many innovative programmes, brings these values to our society by first strengthening and empowering the individual.
The Art of Living Foundation is registered as a not for profit organisation in South Africa (035-041 NPO).
As an international Non-Governmental Organisation, the Art of Living Foundation works in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, participating in a variety of committees and activities relating to health, education, sustainable development and conflict resolution. The Foundation also works in formal consultation with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the "Development of a Global Health Policy for the 21st Century".
Memberships
- CONGO (Conference of NGO's in Consultative Status with ECOSOC of the United Nations), Geneva and New York
- U.N. Mental Health Committee and U.N. Committee on Aging, New York
- International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Paris
- NGO Forum for Health, Geneva
- National Association of Women's Organisations, Uganda
- 2005: US$ 33 million worth of aid collected and distributed following Tsunami: Asia
- 2005 Trauma relief work: Iraq
- June 2005 "Shakti, The Strength of a Women" International Woman's Conference, Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- January 2005 First World Conference of Immams and Rabbis for Peace: Brussels, Belgium
- 2004: Trauma relief work: Beslan, Russia
- 2004: International Court of Justice, The Hague, Holland
- December 2004 "International Interfaith Conference on Prevention & Control of HIV Aids", Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
- November 2004 "Corporate Culture and Spirituality", Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- April 2004 "South Asia Peace Symposium", Ohlone College, Fremont, California, U.S.A.
- February 2004 Sufi Saints Conference, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
- 2003: Interfaith Conference for World Religious Leaders, Seville, Spain
- December 2003, Geneva
- U.N.World Summit on the Information Society
- ICT for Development Platform
(Workshop: Human Values - the Basis for Social Progress and Human Development) - 2003: "Different Cultures, Common Values", 11th International Anti-Corruption Conference, Seoul, South Korea
- 2003: U.N.World Economic Forum : Davos, Switzerland
- 2003: World Conference on Religion for Peace, Washington DC, U.S.A
- 2002: U.N. 55th ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE: "Breaking the Cycle of Violence"; New York, US
- 2002: World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD): Johannesburg, South Africa
- 2002: U.N.World Economic Forum: New York, USA
- 2002: U.N. - World Summit on Sustainable Development, New York, USA
- 2001: Back on Track America: Program aimed at getting U.S. businesses back on track after Sept. 11th began in New York and traveled through 15 U.S. cities
- 2001: UN Conference on Racism and Discrimination: Durban, South Africa
- 2001: Village Adoption Program for Post-Quake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation: Gujarat, India
- 2000: U.N.Millennium World Peace Summit: New York, USA
- 2000: XIII International Aids Conference: Durban, South Africa
- 1999: UN-NGO Conference: Seoul, Korea, Youth Programme Leader: Inspire, Empower, Act!
- 1998: World Conference on Conflict Resolution: St Petersburg, Russia
- 1998: International Symposium - Human Values and Human Rights, Zagreb, Croatia
- 1996: International Conference of Helsinki Citizen's Assembly: Armenia, The Role of Preventitive Diplomacy in Conflict Settlement
- 1995: UN World Social Summit: Copenhagen
- 1995: UN World Conference on Women: Beijing
Over the past nine years, the following milestones have been achieved by Art of Living in Africa:
- Courses conducted for senior government officials in Botswana, including the former president, Sir Ketumile Masire, the current First Lady, Mrs Barbara Mogae, the Commissioner of Prisons and other senior prison officialsf and the Commander and Generals of the Botswana Defense Force.
- Attendance of high-profile African women at the Art of Living/ IAHV Women's Conference in Bangalore, India. Dignitaries inlcuded Members of the Parliament, Government and music celebrities.
- Special courses conducted for HIV and AIDS patients in Botswana.
- Breath Water Sound workshops and projects in the following areas: Soweto and Orange Farm (Gauteng, South Africa), Kwadebeka (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa), Khayelitsha, Langa, Nyanga, Gugulethu, Masiphumelele and Mitchell's Plain (Western Cape, South Africa).
- Breath Water Sound workshops conducted with the Basarwa people in the remote area settlements in the Kgalagadi Desert in Botswana. Food, clothing and blanket donations have also been arranged.
- Breath Water Sound practical training conducted for 35 teachers in 13 villages of Mavuso, Eastern Cape, South Africa (reaching 8 000-10 000 people per village). In one week, 300 people were trained in Breath Water Sound, three community halls were renovated, permaculture gardens planted and projects were initiated in each village.
- Link-up with the KARO Institute for the Preservation of African Religion and Tradition.
- Participation in City of Cape Town’s Department of Environmental Affairs Households 21 project for sustainable development.
- Collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs): training NGOs in Breath Water Sound techniques to further strengthen their existing programmes and each assisting in their area of development e.g. SHAWCO, Treatment Action Campaign (South Africa).
- Regular Prison Smart Programmes taking place in prisons throughout the continent, reaching society's most stressed and ostracised individuals and offering the possibility of real and effective rehabilitation.