Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Gurudev Links Peace, Mindset And Prosperity At New York Summit
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar spoke at a summit in New York about peace and economic growth.
He said countries cannot prosper if people are not peaceful.
He also said people need to feel secure and connected at work.
Gurudev argued that reducing poverty requires effort from both poor and wealthy people.
He said people without resources should believe they can improve their lives.
He said people with resources should show empathy and share more.
He also blamed corruption for keeping resources from reaching local communities.
He described a programme that helped unemployed young people in India become more confident about starting work or businesses.
He said similar programmes were later used in several African countries.
He joked that there are different kinds of intelligence, including artificial and “absolute” intelligence.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told the Semafor summit that peace is necessary for economic prosperity.
He said reducing inequality requires both disadvantaged people and wealthy people to change their attitudes and actions.
Gurudev identified corruption as a major reason resources fail to reach communities in the Global South.
He described an Art of Living programme that helped unemployed young people in rural India develop entrepreneurial confidence.
He said workplace stress harms communication and that people need belonging and security, while distinguishing artificial intelligence from “absolute intelligence.”
- Who
- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living, spoke with Semafor Co-Founder and CEO Justin B Smith.
- What
- Gurudev argued that peace, personal well-being, empathy and changed mindsets are foundations for prosperity and development.
- When
- On Monday, a day after the International Day of Peace.
- Where
- At Semafor’s “The Next 3 Billion” summit in New York.
- Why
- The summit examined how technology and digital inclusion can expand economic opportunity, while Gurudev addressed the social and personal conditions needed for prosperity.
- Event
- Semafor’s “The Next 3 Billion” summit
- Location
- New York
- Central message
- “Prosperity comes with peace. If there is no peace, there can’t be prosperity.”
- Inequality
- Gurudev said bridging the divide between haves and have-nots requires action from both sides.
- Corruption
- He identified corruption as a major reason resources do not reach grassroots communities across the Global South.
- Youth programme
- A two-month programme near an Art of Living centre reportedly changed the outlook of 500 unemployed young people who had rejected 200 government projects.
- Programme expansion
- The model was replicated in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa and other African nations.
- Workplace concerns
- Gurudev said stress disrupts communication and that people need belonging and security to thrive.