The Right Honourable Bidhya Devi Bhandari, President of Nepal
President Bhandari was the vice-chairperson of the Communist Party of Nepal and chair of the All Nepal Women Association before winning the presidential election in 2015. In 2016, Forbes placed her 52 in their list of the world's 100 most powerful women. She previously served as the Minister of Defence of the government of Nepal and was the first woman in Nepal to hold that post. She was also the minister for Environment and population in 1990s, and has been presenting many environmental awareness campaign and women rights concern till dated. On June 2017, she visited IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) headquarters in Gland, Switzerland to discuss opportunities for enhanced collaboration on nature conservation and sustainable development.
Tony Nader, MD, PhD, MARR
Keynote Address by Videoconference
Tony Nader, MD, PhD, MARR, is an MIT and Harvard-trained medical doctor, neuroscientist and one of the world’s great Vedic scholars. His training includes internal medicine, psychiatry, and neurology, with a PhD in brain and cognitive science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was a Clinical and Research Fellow in Neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Assistant Director of the Clinical Research Centre at MIT. Read More
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Former Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, PhD
Address by Videoconference
Yukio Hatoyama, PhD, was Prime Minister of Japan from 2009 to 2010. He served in the Japanese House of Representatives for more than 25 years and co-founded with his brother the Democratic Party of Japan in 1996, serving as its chair and secretary-general until he led it to victory in the 2009 elections.
Dr Hatoyama comes from a very prominent Japanese family that includes four generations of leading politicians and educators. His great-grandfather was Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Imperial Diet in the 1890s and the president of Waseda University, and his great-grandmother founded Kiyoritsu Women’s University. His paternal grandfather founded both the Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, and served as Prime Minister of Japan in 1954–56. His maternal grandfather founded Bridgestone Corporation, the global tire manufacturer. His father was Japan’s Foreign Minister, and his brother was Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Communication.
Dr Hatoyama’s long list of accomplishments as Prime Minister include significant reductions of wasteful government spending and advances and increased funding to improve education, family life, healthcare, and housing. He substantially improved relations with other East Asian nations, notably China, and worked to create a more equitable and transparent relationship with the U.S. After stepping down as Prime Minister, he continued to serve in the House of Representatives for another two years and took a principled stand against the restarting of Japanese nuclear reactors.
In 2006, Time magazine named Dr Hatoyama the sixth most influential person in the world in its annual “Time 100” issue. Among his many other awards, Dr Hatoyama received the Sustainable Development Leadership Award of the 2010 Delhi Sustainable Development Summit for “his effort to confront climate change and leading his government to make it a main issue.”
Dr Hatoyama holds a PhD degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University, USA, and is a past professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology and Senshū University. He is currently Honorary Chairman and a Senior Consultant of Hoifu Energy Group Limited.
John Hagelin, PhD
John Hagelin, PhD, is a world-renowned quantum physicist, science and public policy expert, educator, author, and leading proponent of peace. He currently serves as president of Maharishi University of Management (USA) and president of the Global Union of Scientists for Peace (www.GUSP.org).
Dr Hagelin has conducted pioneering research at CERN (the European Center for Particle Physics) and at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. He is responsible for the development of a highly successful grand unified field theory based on the superstring—a theory that was featured in a cover story of Discover magazine.
In addition, Dr Hagelin has spent much of the past quarter century leading a scientific investigation into the foundations of human consciousness. He is one of the world’s pre-eminent researchers on the effects of Transcendental Meditation® on brain development, and the use of meditation to address critical problems in the fields of education, rehabilitation, crime and social violence, and post-traumatic stress. As the founding president of the David Lynch Foundation, Dr Hagelin has helped bring evidence-based meditation to hundreds of thousands of at-risk children, veterans and active-duty servicemen and women.
Dr Hagelin is a recipient of the Doshi Bridge Builder Award and the prestigious Kilby Award, which recognizes scientists who have made “major contributions to society through their applied research in the fields of science and technology.” The award recognized Dr Hagelin as “a scientist in the tradition of Einstein, Jeans, Bohr and Eddington.”
Dr Hagelin has appeared many times on ABC’s Nightline, NBC’s Meet the Press, CNN’s Larry King Live! and many others. He has been regularly featured in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and other major metropolitan newspapers.
Dr Neil Paterson
Dr Neil Paterson studied and worked with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for more than 30 years. He received his doctoral degree in the Science of Creative Intelligence (DSCI) from Maharishi European Research University (MERU), Seelisberg, Switzerland in 1983 and a doctoral degree in Maharishi Vedic Science (DVS) from Maharishi Vedic University, the Netherlands in 1993. Dr Paterson is currently Secretary General of the Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation, an international foundation established by Maharishi, whose mission is to establish and permanently fund large groups of Maharishi Vedic Pandits in India and Nepal to create World Peace through daily performance of the Vedic Technologies of Yoga and Yagya. Dr Paterson also serves as Global Minister of Administration of the Global Country of World Peace, with responsibility for implementing Vedic administration throughout the world.
Dr Jose Luis Alvarez Roset
Dr Jose Luis Alvarez Roset studied and worked with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for more than 30 years. He received his doctoral degree in the Science of Creative Intelligence (DSCI) from Maharishi European Research University (MERU), Seelisberg, Switzerland and a doctorate degree in Maharishi Vedic Science (DVS) from Maharishi Vedic University, the Netherlands in 1993. Dr Alvarez Roset is a world leading expert in the application of the Vedic technologies of consciousness, brought to light by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in education, government, and military training. He has introduced the Vedic science of consciousness to over 250 schools in 23 countries in Latin America, with more than 195,000 students participating. The results of these programmes have been so positive that it has motivated government and education leaders in Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador and other countries to offer this programme to millions of children throughout Latin America. In addition, he has overseen a training programme in the military of several countries in Latin America, most notably in Ecuador, where thousands of military personnel have utilized Vedic Science in their training.
John Fagan, PhD
Dr John Fagan is a leading authority on sustainability in the food and agricultural system, and on biosafety and food authenticity. He is a successful entrepreneur in the field of biotechnology, having founded, built and sold Global ID Group, a pioneering company developing innovative molecular biological tools to verify and advance food purity, safety and sustainability. Dr Fagan earned his PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell biology from Cornell University. His biomedical research has examined molecular mechanisms in carcinogenesis and assessed the cellular and gene-regulatory impacts of environmental toxicants such as dioxins and PCBs. His research has been published in leading scientific journals and has been supported by millions of dollars in grant awards, including the prestigious National Institutes of Health Research Career Development Award. Today, Dr. Fagan is CEO and Chief Scientist of Health Research Institute (www.HRILabs.org) a 501(c)3 non-profit research institution applying cutting edge analytical technologies to understand the relationships between agricultural practices and the levels of micronutrients and agro-toxics in our foods—healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people and ecosystem. Dr. Fagan is also Professor of Molecular Biology at Maharishi University of Management (www.mum.edu), where he leads a research program using transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches to understand the molecular biology of higher states of consciousness. Dr, Fagan serves as an international administrator and Minister of Agriculture of the Global Country of World Peace, and as a Vice President of the Global Union of Scientists for Peace.
Dr John Konhaus
Dr John Konhaus was educated at Franklin and Marshall College, USA and University of Lancaster, UK and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Biology and Chemistry. He received a Masters degree in Maharishi Vedic Science from Maharishi University of Management, USA. He received his PhD in Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture from Maharishi European Research University, Switzerland after 10 years of developing the science of Vedic Agriculture under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the Vedic Pandits of India. Dr Konhaus is Professor of Vedic Agriculture at Maharishi University of Management, USA. He is founding President and Chairman of Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture Institute, USA and India.
Dr Christopher Crowell
Dr Christopher Crowell was educated at the University of California, Berkeley. He has an MA in Higher Education from Maharishi University of Management, USA and was awarded a doctoral degree in the Science of Creative Intelligence from Maharishi European Research University, Switzerland. He was appointed by Maharishi as Minister of Religion and Culture of the Global Country of World Peace, and has traveled throughout the world to promote cultural integrity, national unity, and world harmony through Maharishi’s Vedic Science of Consciousness. Dr Crowell is a member of the Global Council of the Global Country of World Peace and a Director of the Institute for Excellence in Africa. He is also President of the Brahmananda Saraswati Jyotish Foundation and a Director of the Brahmananda Saraswati Trust, USA which supports the creation of global peace-creating groups of Maharishi Vedic Pandits in India and Nepal.
Dr Ann Crowell
Dr Ann Crowell has a doctoral degree in the Science of Creative Intelligence (DSCI) from Maharishi European Research University (MERU), Seelisberg, Switzerland. She is a Director of the Ministry of Religion and Culture of the Global Country of World Peace and works with her husband, Dr Chris Crowell, to bring Maharishi’s Vedic Science of Consciousness to people of all cultures and religions. Together, Drs Chris and Ann Crowell and have traveled to over 40 countries and presented Maharishi’s programs to develop consciousness to heads of state and government officials, cultural leaders, educators, and development agencies. She is Director of Curriculum Development for both the Ministry of Religion and Culture and the Brahmananda Saraswati Jyotish Foundation and was a founding faculty member of Maharishi Open University, Holland. Her courses on Maharishi Vedic Science have inspired people of all religions and cultures around the world and have been translated into many languages. Dr Crowell is also Director of the Institute for Excellence in Africa and member of the Permanent Conference of National Leaders of Middle East countries.
Dr Eike Hartmann
Dr Hartmann worked and studied with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for more than 30 years in reformulating the ancient Vedic Science of Sthapatya Veda. He collaborated with the leading Vedic experts in Vastu Shastras (Sthapatis) in India in research and development in the field of Vedic Architecture to re-establish the fundamental principles of Vastu Vidya of Sthapatya Veda. Dr Hartmann received his Doctoral Degree in Vedic Science from Maharishi Vedic University, the Netherlands. He is a visiting professor at Maharishi University of Management, USA, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Institute of Vedic City Planning, Maharishi University of Management, the Netherlands, and CEO of Fortune-Creating Homes, The Netherlands.
Interview on National News Channel in Kathmandu, Nepal:: Watch Interview
Prof Subhash Ranade
Prof. Dr. Subhash Ranade is one of the foremost experts on Ayurveda. He is leading academician and physician in the field of Ayurveda. He is the author of 169 books on Ayurveda and Yoga. These books have been published in 13 languages. Prof Ranade and his wife Dr Sunanda have travelled for 35 years to 77 countries. He has worked as Prof. and Head, Dept. of Interdisciplinary School of Ayurveda and Prof. and Head, Dept. of Ayurveda Pune University and Principal of Ashtang Ayurveda College, Pune, India. At present he is Chairman, International Academy of Ayurveda, Pune and Honorary Dean, Kerala Ayurveda Academy, USA and International Maharishi AyurVeda Foundation Board Member.
Dr Girish Momaya
Dr Girish Momaya is a Director of Stichting Maharishi European Research University, a Dutch Foundation providing education, training and services in the fields of Vedic Sciences, Ayurveda health care and social well-being. He is also a Director of the International Maharishi AyurVeda Foundation—The Netherlands; and also a Director of Maharishi Ayurveda Europe BV. Dr. Momaya spent many years working under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the great scientist of consciousness and Founder of the Transcendental Meditation Programme. He received extensive instruction and training from Maharishi in all aspects of Vedic Science.
Lothar Pirc
Lothar Pirc is international proponent of Ayurveda and holistic health. Mr Pirc is founder and president of the award-winning Maharishi AyurVeda Health Center Bad Ems, Germany. Over the last 25 years, Mr Pirc has introduced the health benefits of the natural time-tested approaches of Maharishi AyurVeda to thousands of people around the world. He has spoken to many groups of physicians, national health organizations, and government and business leaders in Europe, Russia, India, Japan, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Nepal and the US. Mr Pirc is a certified teacher of the Transcendental Meditation Program and has been active in its international programs for world peace for over 40 years. Mr Pirc was awarded the Global Hakim Ajmal Khan Award 2007 for Organizational and Social Vedic Services presented by the Chief Minister of the State of Delhi, India, for its work in research, application, and expansion of Ayurveda around the world. In 2006, Mr Pirc received a gold medal "For Honor and Good" for his "excellent contribution for the revival and blossoming of peace, for greatness of mind and altruistic magnanimity" at the Moscow Academy of Sciences, from the Russian charitable organization "Patrons of the Century" and in 2008, Mr Pirc was elected to the position of General Secretary of EURAMA (European Ayurveda Medical Association). In 2012 Lothar founded the Nepal Maharishi Foundation for Vedic Culture, a German Foundation to raise funds in Europe to help preserve the unique and timeless cultural tradition of Nepal—the Vedic Tradition.
Ashley Deans, PhD
Ashley Deans, Ph.D., is a space physicist who has published extensively in leading refereed journals on quantum cosmology, space science, and sociology. He has conducted research at the Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and the Culham Center for Fusion Energy, Oxfordshire, UK.
Dr. Deans graduated with honors in physics in 1969 from Imperial College, London University, UK. He received his Ph.D. in 1976 in space physics from the Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, Canada, and received a post-graduate fellowship from the National Research Council of Canada. Dr. Deans is currently an Associate of the Royal College of Science. As an educator, Dr. Deans has traveled to over 80 countries giving invited talks on “Consciousness-Based” education—education that incorporates GUSP’s brain-based approach to peace. His book, A Record of Excellence, and his published articles describe the benefits of this approach, and for this work he received the Sears-Roebuck Foundation Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award. He is currently Director of International Programs for the David Lynch Foundation and Executive Director for the Global Union of Scientists for Peace.
Dr Kingsley Brooks
Dr Kingsley Brooks has worked with the world-wide organisations of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for 46 years, starting in Fuiggi Italy in 1972 where he was trained by Maharishi as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation. He worked as Executive Assistant to the President of Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, USA for 12 years and served as the Administrative Director, Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy at Maharishi University of Management for 12 years. For the last 10 years he has served as Senior International Director for Global Country of World Peace overseeing the development of Maharishi’s programs in Israel, South and North Korea, Nepal, Georgia, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Maharishi Ayurveda Foundation for Health Professionals; Chairman of Maharishi Vedic University, Courses & Consultations (MVU-CC), The Netherlands; Chairman, Foundation for Maharishi Tower of Invincibility (MTI), The Netherlands. Dr Kingsley Brooks received BA Degree (Cum Laude), Marlboro College, USA, MFA in Industrial Design, Rhode Island School of Design, USA (1976) and MA Degree in Science of Creative Intelligence, Maharishi University of Management, USA (1992), and Doctor of Political Science, Maharishi University of World Peace (2005).
Dr Leslie Brooks
Dr Leslie Brooks, received her BS degree in Biochemistry at Penn State University, USA, and her MA degree in Higher Educational Administration at Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA. She worked for 25 years at Maharishi International University in various leadership positions. For the past 20 years she has been working internationally, along with her husband Kingsley Brooks, to administer the programs of the Global Country of World Peace (GCWP) in Israel, South and North Korea, Nepal, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan. In 2005, she received a Doctor of Political Science Degree from Maharishi University of World Peace.