I am often asked why the West Bengal Federation of United Nations Associations (WEBFUNA) has chosen to institute Humanitarian Awards instead of the more traditional Peace Award. The recent Tips-WEBFUNA Humanitarian Awards night inspired me to share some thoughts, part realism, part hope, and a little dash of philosophical musings.
Let us face it: the United Nations, despite its soaring ideals laid out in its founding Charter, has had its fair share of struggles in actually maintaining international peace and security. Given the repeated impasses at the Security Council, there is little hope that the UN will become self-empowered in the foreseeable future. I recall what Ambassador Hans-C. von Sponeck, the former UN Representative in India, said so succinctly thirty years ago: peacekeeping must be understood alongside economic development, human rights and humanitarian action. Unfortunately, these softer but critical aspects have often been overshadowed by the grand theatre of ‘high’ politics.
Peace awards themselves are somewhat political affairs, even before Trump and Netanyahu became possible awardees for the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking of the Nobel, Mahatma Gandhi was nominated five times but never won. If that does not make you raise an eyebrow, what will? The Mahatma, the very embodiment of non-violence, being denied the prize designed to celebrate such ideals, highlights the limits of conventional peace accolades. Perhaps the committee was simply intimidated by his humility.
Fast forward to contemporary India. Amidst the buzz of reaching the status of the world’s fourth-largest economy, our social indicators tell a different story. Challenges such as poverty, unemployment, malnutrition and food insecurity persist. India ranks 134th out of 193 countries on the Human Development Index. So let us be realistic: peace without development is like planting a tree with no roots; it simply will not stand.
This interconnectedness of peace and development is what we at the Tagore Institute of Peace Studies (Tips) hold dear. Our inspiration is none other than Rabindranath Tagore, the transcendent global humanist who, more than a century ago, envisioned a world united not by uniformity but by mutual respect in diversity. Tagore’s vision was one of universal humanism, a gentle reminder that our shared humanity must always transcend narrow nationalism.
Modern Peace Studies, an interdisciplinary field, gives us the wherewithal to tackle the root causes of conflict, promote non-violence and build resilient, caring societies.
At Tips, our certificate courses range from one month to a full year, preparing students for impactful careers as human rights advocates, environmental saviours, social justice warriors, diplomats and journalists. For our younger learners, our outreach programmes in schools sow seeds of hope and empathy that can blossom into the leaders of tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, here is a slice of modern wisdom. In times of uncertainty and division, think of the latest internet debates or the mysterious phenomenon of ‘cancel culture’, the collective withdrawal of support from someone or something, usually on social media, because of perceived offensive or unacceptable behaviour or statements. It reflects the humanitarian spirit, expressed through empathy and practical acts of kindness. Managed sensitively, it can become a quiet but powerful agent of change. Recognising humanitarian efforts adds depth and balance to the lofty but often elusive goal of peace. It is like choosing to water the soil while dreaming of the flowers.
For those wondering how philosophy connects with everyday life, here is a thought. Tagore’s humanism teaches us that love and compassion are not just emotions but ethical imperatives. The next time you pass a hungry street dog or a lonely neighbour, remember that it is in these small acts that the seeds of global peace are sown.
So, at Tips, we invite the new generation to become compassionate leaders, global citizens who transform ideals into actions grounded in dignity and justice. As Tagore expressed time and again through his poetry and philosophy, the unity of humanity and the nurturing of life are the truest pathways to peace. We warmly invite you to join this journey of compassion and courage. Whether you are a student eager to learn, a young leader ready to make a difference, or simply a global citizen inspired by Tagore’s vision, our certificate courses and outreach programmes offer you the tools and community to transform ideals into meaningful action. Step forward today to nurture change rooted in dignity, justice and shared humanity, because peace begins with each one of us.