‘Terrorism a harvest of hatred; poverty not root cause’: Swami Amritaswarupananda

·         ‘A process of purification and commitment to human welfare is necessary in young children to save the world from the scourge of terrorism’

·         ‘Alarming rate of erosion of values in today’s youth. They are confused about their role and responsibilities in the society’

·         ‘Young minds can be transformed if they are provided with the right values and guidance’

·         Swami Amritaswarupananda, Vice-Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math of Kerala, was speaking at the International Youth Symposium ‘One Humanity’ organised by AYUDH, its youth wing, in Germany

Mumbai, 26^th July 2016: Calling the youthful period of one’s life as an immense blessing which offers the best opportunity to gain inner transformation, Swami Amritaswarupananda, Vice-Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math, has voiced serious concern over the alarming erosion of values in today’s youngsters. He warned that they are treading a dangerous path.

“Though modern youth have tremendous intellectual and technological capabilities, the erosion of values in them is a serious crisis. Youngsters are confused about their roles and responsibilities in the society. They need proper direction, clearer objectives, and a strong foundation of universal values. Right from an impressionable age, the younger generation should be taught about the inherent oneness of all religious faiths and humanity to ensure lasting world peace,” he added.

Swami Amritaswarupananda was delivering the keynote address at the International Youth Symposium “One Humanity” organised by AYUDH, the youth wing of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, in Germany. The event, held on the fifth anniversary of Norway massacres in which 77 people – mostly youngsters – died, saw leading voices in politics, diplomacy, activism, and education address 400 young participants. The aim was to shift attention from personal and cultural identities of today’s youth to their fundamental human identities to help build more peaceful and inclusive societies.

Swami Amritaswarupananda called terrorism a “harvest of hatred” and the biggest hazard facing humanity. He rejected the popular belief that poverty is its root cause – the terrorists involved in recent killings in Dhaka, for example, were educated youth from well-to-do families. “The root cause of terrorism is the poison of hatred passed on from generation to generation till it explodes in an orgy of violence. If we have to uproot terrorism, we have to begin from home because of the influence family environment exerts on mental health and growth of children. It shapes their thinking lifelong. A process of purification and commitment to human welfare is necessary in children if we have to save the world from terrorism. The seeds of right understanding and a genuine concern for others have to be sown early.” To this end, he noted, Amma is creating a worldwide phenomenon where children and youngsters associated with AYUDH set aside money they receive from relatives to support charitable activities.

Swami Amritaswarupananda highlighted his firm belief in the potential and power of youth. “No one, including you, your parents, friends, or your teachers, know what your true potential is. Nature has impregnated you with certain qualities, skills, and talents. Only by understanding that will you be able to elevate yourself.” He shared a quote from Mata Amritanandamayi (Amma): “Youth is the mid-point of life, the most ideal time in a person’s life to gain inner transformation, to cultivate healthy habits. It is a time when we are neither a child nor an adult. It is a time in life when one can live in the moment; it is the ideal stage for training the mind.”

Swami Amritaswarupananda rued the fact that in today’s world, logic is given more importance while the mysterious aspect of nature is forgotten. “Many scientists have noted that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe which is vastly superior to that of man. We need to educate our youngsters about the mysterious aspect of life and encourage them to blend science with spirituality. We are all interconnected beings, and affect each other in subtle ways. Generations impact each other. Our youngsters need good role models and loving and compassionate mentors to emulate. Young minds can be transformed if they are provided with the right values and guidance.”

Amongst the panelists and speakers at the Symposium were Beatrix Tappeser, State Secretary of the Department of the Environment, Climate, Agriculture and Customer Protection, State of Hessen; Martine Reicherts, Director-General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, European Commission; Anne Brasseur, Ambassador of the Council of Europe for the ‘No Hate Speech’ Campaign and former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; Ernesto Marinelli, SAP Vice President for HR in Europe, Middle East and Africa; Indra Adnan, Founder of the Soft Power Network; Björn Ihler, survivor of the 2011 attacks in Norway; and Kofi Annan, Foundation Fellow for Countering Violent Extremism.

Through the Symposium, AYUDH supported the Council of Europe’s ‘No Hate Speech Campaign,’ which aims to establish July 22 as the “European Action Day for Victims of Hate Crime.” The event was supported by the Council of Europe’s European Youth Foundation, SAP SE and the Kloster Eberbach Foundation, and carried out in partnership with the UN Inter-Agency-Network on Youth Development, the No Hate Speech Movement, the Lebenshilfe E.V. Offenburg and the German municipalities of Brombachtal and Michelstadt.