On October 3, 2023, at the Grand Ceremony to celebrate 70th birthday of Amma in Amrita University, BGF CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan presented and gave a speech to honor Amma with the 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award.
“Amma’s legacy is one of profound compassion and unyielding dedication to spiritual and humanitarian values who has uplifted millions by giving solace, building homes, hospitals, pension plans, amongst many other projects. Her leadership as Chair of the Civil 20 Engagement Group of the G20 reflects her unwavering commitment to unity, compassion, and collective well-being. In a world marked by change and disruption, she reminds us that all of us can be a guiding light – a belief reflected in the motto of the C20 Summit India 2023 – “You Are the Light.”
“Through its AI World Society program, the Boston Global Forum seeks to employ technology in the service of humanity. We are honored to be able to integrate Amma’s spiritual and humanitarian values into that initiative. It is a convergence where compassion and enlightenment join forces with technology to address the global challenges that have been at the heart of Amma’s work. As the AI World Society seeks to shape a brighter future for all, we will be guided by Amma’s principles in all that we do. We made that solemn commitment in a communique issued at the C20 Summit in Jaipur, India, on July 31.”
Amidst family struggles and societal disparities, Amritanandamayi, affectionately referred to as Amma, found her life’s mission—to alleviate suffering wherever she encountered it. A simple act of consoling the distressed with an embrace became her hallmark. This gesture, although unconventional in her village, soon resonated globally. The embrace symbolized hope, leading her to be known as the ‘Hugging Saint.’ As people from all walks of life flocked to her, she established the Mata Amritanandamayi Math in 1981. Amma’s compassion grew beyond borders and knew no boundaries. From climate change to cultural tensions, she addressed global issues, urging humanity towards unity and compassion.
“I don’t see if it is a man or a woman. I don’t see anyone different from my own self. A continuous stream of love flows from me to all of creation.” – Amma
She has embraced over 40 million individuals worldwide, often dedicating more than 22 hours without a break to this soulful connection. Her influence reached monumental platforms like the United Nations, where she has delivered a keynote address and emphasized blending science with compassion for global betterment. At her 70th birthday, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, along with global figures like Lady Gaga and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, shared special messages for her, showcasing her wide-reaching impact.
Amma served as Chair of the Civil 20 India 2023, an official Engagement Group of the G20. This platform serves Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) worldwide, enabling them to present the aspirations of the global populace to the leaders of the G20 nations. This year they promised a collaborative and transformative approach to global challenges ranging from wellness and service to cyberspace and social justice, exemplifying the motto “You Are the Light”. Tuan Nguyen, CEO of the Boston Global Forum, was one of the keynote speakers and was so deeply moved by Amma’s contributions and spirit that he nominated her for the 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award.
“In honoring Amma, we celebrate the profound impact of her life and work, and we pledge to carry forward her message of love, compassion, and global unity in our shared quest for a brighter and more harmonious world.” – Tuan Nguyen, CEO of the Boston Global Forum
The Boston Global Forum and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation are esteemed institutions known for recognizing global peace and security leaders. Their decision to confer the 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award upon Amma further emphasizes the universal resonance of her message. Past luminaries who have received this award include global leaders like former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, indicating the stature of this recognition. This award does more than just honor Amma—it acknowledges the need for a more compassionate and unified world, a vision Amma has worked towards her entire life.
Tuan Nguyen greets Amma to present her with the 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award
“We are profoundly honored to recognize Amma as a World Leader for Peace and Security. Her tireless efforts to promote love, compassion, and global unity are truly exemplary. Amma’s legacy will continue to inspire our collective journey towards a more harmonious world.” – Michael Dukakis, Chair of the Boston Global Forum
As a tribute to Amma, a Global Enlightenment Concert and a Distinguished Global Enlightenment Lecture at Harvard University’s Loeb House are scheduled for November 2.
Special birthday wishes for Amma from the Boston Global Forum:
Minh Nguyen is the Editor of the Boston Global Forum and a Shinzo Abe Initiative Fellow. She writes the Four Pillars column in the BGF Weekly newsletter.
A gunfight at a monastery in Kosovo between Serb-backed gunmen and the Kosovar police broke out earlier this week, on the backs of simmering tensions and incidents in the region between ethnic Serbs and Albanians over the past year. This was seen as an escalation by the Kosovo government because of the direct ties of the assailants to parts of the Serbian government. Serbia claims in return that the battle was another step in provocations by Kosovo. The US issued a warning to Serbia, who deployed its troops to the border after the incident, to pull back. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucić denied that the country was mobilizing on the border. NATO subsequently deployed more UK peacekeepers to the region. Hopefully the situation can be defused without further armed skirmishes.
The UK announced a contract with BAE Systems for a nuclear submarine for the AUKUS pact. The contract is worth £3.95 billion ($4.82 billion), and will explore developing the next generation of nuclear-powered attack submarines. The security pact, consisting of Australia, the UK, and the US, seeks to counter China’s influence in Asia-Pacific. This is another step in shoring up stability in the region.
Relatedly, Taiwan’s security chief Koo Li-hsiung stated that AUKUS and NATO are needed to counter China’s threat to the island nation. He warned of China’s expansion of military presence abroad, such as in Cambodia, Pakistan, and Djibouti, and that more NATO (and AUKUS) engagement in Asia-Pacific would be beneficial to balance China’s ambitions.
Global tensions in the 21st century have undergone a notable transformation. While not immediately life-threatening, they have become more intricate and unpredictable due to rapid technological progress. This shift has redefined the arenas of contemporary conflict and warfare, encompassing traditional domains and the digital realm of cyberspace. Participation in conflicts is no longer confined to governments alone; entities possessing the capability to develop, possess, and deploy technology—such as tech giants and hacker groups—can now exert significant influence.
In this context, there is a growing global focus among governments and experts on the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on global tensions. While the detailed capabilities of AI remain largely uncharted, its application is evidently capable of significantly enhancing an entity’s effectiveness in both physical and digital attacks. AI technologies are currently undergoing extensive research worldwide, aiming to autonomize weapons and mass weaponize disruptive technologies like 3D printing, drones, and robots. These advancements have the potential to substantially reduce military operation costs and enhance targeting precision. Additionally, we are witnessing an unprecedented surge in cyberattacks and the emergence of new forms of AI-powered crimes, including the spread of misinformation, deep fakes, various scams, phishing attacks, data theft, and manipulation.
In this era characterized by heightened global tensions and rapid disruptive technological progress, governing AI assumes paramount significance, necessitating a thoughtful and comprehensive approach. It is imperative to ensure that, while mitigating unintended consequences, we do not inadvertently stifle its potential for continued growth and innovation. With this report jointly prepared by the Boston Global Forum, the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation, and AIWS.city, we aim to formulate contingency plans and conduct scenario simulations to prepare ourselves for AI-related security threats, particularly those that may arise during periods of global tension.
Honoring Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) with the 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award
Boston Global Forum (BGF) and Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI)
My Namaste and Pranams to all
Distinguished leaders and esteemed guests.
Today, October 3, 2023, we gather to mark the 70th birthday of Amma, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. It is a time of celebration and also a time to recognize her for her extraordinary spiritual and charitable contributions. The Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI) are honored to present to Amma our 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award. Past recipients of this award include Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the United Nations’ Ban Ki-moon, and Germany’s Angela Merkel, Japan’s Shinzo Abe, European Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen.
Amma’s legacy is one of profound compassion and unyielding dedication to spiritual and humanitarian values who has uplifted millions by giving solace, building homes, hospitals, pension plans, amongst many other projects. Her leadership as Chair of the Civil 20 Engagement Group of the G20 reflects her unwavering commitment to unity, compassion, and collective well-being. In a world marked by change and disruption, she reminds us that all of us can be a guiding light – a belief reflected in the motto of the C20 Summit India 2023 – “You Are the Light.”
Amma’s tireless efforts to foster a fair and sustainable planet are in perfect alignment with the principles of world peace and security championed by the Boston Global Forum and the Michael Dukakis Institute. Every life is valued, every act of kindness helps, every hug affirms our common humanity.
Michael Dukakis, the Chair of the Boston Global Forum and three-time governor of the State of Massachusetts, aptly expresses our sentiments when he stated, “We are profoundly honored to recognize Amma as a World Leader for Peace and Security. Her tireless efforts to promote love, compassion, and global unity are truly exemplary. Amma’s legacy will continue to inspire our collective journey towards a more harmonious world.”
Through its AI World Society program, the Boston Global Forum seeks to employ technology in the service of humanity. We are honored to be able to integrate Amma’s spiritual and humanitarian values into that initiative. It is a convergence where compassion and enlightenment join forces with technology to address the global challenges that have been at the heart of Amma’s work. As the AI World Society seeks to shape a brighter future for all, we will be guided by Amma’s principles in all that we do. We made that solemn commitment in a communique issued at the C20 Summit in Jaipur, India, on July 31.
With profound respect and gratitude, the Boston Global Forum and Michael Dukakis Institute extend their heartfelt congratulations to Amma on her 70th birthday and upon her recognition as our 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award recipient. She is a guiding light in our troubled world.
On November 2, a special gathering will be held at Harvard University’s Loeb House, where Amma will deliver a Distinguished Global Enlightenment Lecture in conjunction with her World Leader award. The Boston Global Forum has also organized a Global Enlightenment Concert as a tribute to her unwavering commitment to the betterment of humanity.
In honoring Amma, we celebrate the profound impact of her life and work, and we pledge to carry forward her message of love, compassion, and global unity in our shared quest for a brighter and more harmonious world.
