The Gandhi Mandela Foundation (GMF) and the United Services Institution (USI) have forged a groundbreaking partnership aimed at advancing global peace, harmony, and sustainable development. GMF, renowned for its commitment to fostering peace and sustainable practices worldwide, has joined forces with USI, Asia’s oldest military think tank with a distinguished history dating back to 1870. This alliance, formalized during a meeting chaired by Major Gen. PK Goswami, Deputy DG USI, Major Gen. RS Yadav, Director CS3, USI, Dr. Roshan Khanijo, ADR CS3, USI, Shankar Aggarwal, and Gursharan Singh, Directors of GMF, represents a significant stride towards leveraging collective expertise for the greater good.
What is GMF & USI
The Gandhi Mandela Foundation a Govt. of India registered trust which promotes individual freedom, civil liberties, and human rights across the globe. The headquarter is situated at New Delhi and Global presence include America, Africa, Russia, London, Switzerland, China, Nepal, Bangladesh. The Foundation instituted the Gandhi Mandela Awards during the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji to celebrate those who have carried forward that the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The Chairman of the Foundation is India’s hindu spiritual leader Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj (President of Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, a Board Member of World Council of Religious Leaders). Patron Swami RamDev. The Jury committee includes former Chief justices of three countries (India, Nepal & Bangladesh).
The United Service Institution of India was founded in 1870 by a soldier scholar, Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor. The story of its growth is the story of the growth of the Indian Armed Forces. It was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’ In the last 150 years since its inception, the USI of India has emerged as India’s pre-eminent think tank on matters of national security.
GMF and USI Forge Partnership for Global Peace and Sustainable Development
The collaboration between GMF and USI aims to initiate joint research projects, policy dialogues, and educational initiatives focusing on contemporary global challenges, particularly utilizing insights from the Global Peace Index. By integrating perspectives from military strategy, diplomacy, and sustainable development, the partnership seeks to pioneer innovative solutions that contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous world.
Shankar Aggarwal, Director GMF, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s potential to foster international understanding, cooperation, and sustainable development. “This strategic partnership between GMF and USI underscores our shared commitment to promoting dialogue and inclusivity as essential pillars of global peace,” said Aggarwal.
Major Gen. PK Goswami, Deputy DG USI, emphasized USI’s longstanding legacy in military and strategic studies and its dedication to promoting global peace through collective knowledge. “USI is honored to partner with GMF in exploring new avenues to foster enduring peace and stability globally,” said Major Gen. Goswami.
The joint efforts of GMF and USI will include organizing international conferences particularly based on global peace index, workshops, and seminars aimed at facilitating constructive dialogues among policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. These initiatives are designed to deepen understanding of global security challenges and advocate for cooperative solutions that transcend borders and disciplines.
Through this partnership, GMF and USI aim to not only address immediate challenges but also to lay the groundwork for sustainable peace initiatives that can positively impact future generations. By harnessing their combined strengths in research, policy development, and advocacy, the institutions aspire to contribute meaningfully to global peace and stability.
