Herent, Leuven – October 11, 2025 — The Lumbini-Kapilvastu Global Campaign, Belgium (LKGCB) marked a powerful milestone with the successful completion of its 9th General Assembly at Hotel Carpinus, Herent. The event brought together peace advocates, diplomats, cultural leaders, and community organizations from across Europe to celebrate unity, reflect on progress, and chart a bold path forward.
Leadership and Vision
The assembly opened with a warm welcome by Ms. Rashmi Niroula, General Secretary of LKGCB, followed by a guided mindfulness session and group photo. Mr. Mahendra Bhattarai, Secretary of LKGCB, set the tone with a message of solidarity and purpose.
A serene mindfulness session was conducted by the Jeevan Vigyan Organization, led by Ms. Sabita Dahal. Through guided breathing and meditation techniques, participants practiced presence and emotional clarity. The session emphasized mental well-being as a foundation for peaceful living and effective leadership. Many attendees shared that the experience helped them feel more centered and energized for the day’s events.
Dr. Rajendra Bari was re-elected as President of LKGCB for a second term, a recognition of his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the campaign’s global mission. In his keynote address, Dr. Bari presented a compelling overview of LKGCB’s work, centered around three pillars:
- Peace and Global Harmony
- Planet and People
- Partnerships and Collaborations
He emphasized the urgent need to address the global economic cost of violence, which reached $19.1 trillion USD in 2023, or approximately $2,380 USD per person. His message was clear: peace is not only a moral imperative but an economic necessity.
LKGCB Joins the International Peace Bureau: Expanding Global Collaboration
A major milestone announced during the 9th General Assembly was LKGCB’s official membership in the International Peace Bureau (IPB)—one of the world’s oldest and most respected peace federations. This affiliation marks a significant step forward in LKGCB’s mission to amplify its voice on the global stage and deepen its collaboration with like-minded organizations committed to nonviolence, disarmament, and sustainable peace.
As a member of IPB, LKGCB now joins a network of over 300 peace organizations worldwide, gaining access to shared resources, joint campaigns, and international platforms for advocacy. This partnership strengthens LKGCB’s ability to promote the legacy of Lumbini and the teachings of Buddha as universal tools for conflict resolution and intercultural understanding.
Dr. Rajendra Bari emphasized that this membership is not just symbolic—it’s strategic. “To build lasting peace, we must work together across borders, across sectors, and across ideologies,” he said. “Joining IPB allows us to do exactly that.”
The Ripple Effect: Small Acts, Lasting Peace
This session explored how individual and community-level actions can contribute to lasting peace. Moderated by Mr. Bhattarai, it featured three inspiring stories:
- Lokendra Nepal shared his experience supporting flood victims in Belgium, demonstrating how compassion during crisis fosters resilience.
- Sita Sapkota presented a school project in Jajarkot, Nepal, which has opened doors to education and hope for children in remote areas.
- Kamal Panthi spoke about the establishment of Om Megashree Pharmaceutical in Nepal, a venture aimed at improving public health access and creating local employment.
Each story illustrated how small, purposeful acts—whether in disaster relief, education, or healthcare—can ripple outward to build peace across borders.
Collaborative Art Initiative: “Peace Tree
Led by Mr. Mahendra Bhattarai, the “Peace Tree” initiative invited participants to color individual leaves and inscribe them with words symbolizing peace—“empathy,” “respect,” “tolerance,” “hope.” The tree became a vibrant mosaic of shared values and aspirations.
Participants of all ages engaged
enthusiastically, describing the experience as both therapeutic and inspiring. The activity fostered a sense of togetherness and offered a moment of calm creativity, reinforcing the idea that peace begins with intention and expression.
Voices of Peace & Collaboration
This segment featured individual speeches from representatives of various cultural and peace-focused organizations, each sharing their unique perspectives on the urgent need for hope, unity, and collective action:
- Trees Van Goey (Leuven Peace Movement) emphasized nurturing peace through education and community engagement.
- Laling Tamang (Tamang Society Belgium) spoke on preserving cultural identity while embracing diversity.
- Duke Assam (Cameroun Union Flanders) encouraged investing in relationships across cultures to build solidarity.
- Damodar Prasad Acharya (Europe Advisor, Lumbini Kapilvastu Day Global Movement) invoked Buddha’s teachings and the symbolism of Lumbini as a beacon of peace. Mr Acharya mentioned that the war should stop and world’s super powers have to disarm nuclear weapons first for lasting peace. Peace and harmony is necessary for the development, growth and prosperity of nations. Mr Acharya also read message sent from Mr Ram Kumar Shrestha, Global Coordinator of Lumbini Kapilvastu Global Campaign. Mr Shrestha emphasized that millions of people globally have been provided misconstrued information pertaining to the birthplace of World Peace Symbol Lord Buddha’s birthplace. This is an injustice that requires correction.
Their messages converged around a shared vision: peace is a collective endeavor, built through collaboration, sustained by hope, and strengthened by the courage to act. Representatives from various organizations also attended the meeting including the following
1. Non-Resident Nepalese Association-Belgium
2. Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Belgium
3. Tamu Samaj Belgium
4. Tamang Society Belgium
5. World Magar Federation Belgium
6. Euro Nepal Artists Association, Belgium
7. Kavrepalanchowk Aid Committee, Belgium
8. International Kavre Society, Belgium
9. International Baglung Society, Belgium
10. Baglung Society Belgium
11. Myagdi Overseas Nepalese Association(MONA), Belgium
12. Shangrila Society Belgium
13. Sherpa Kidung Belgium
14. Kirat Rai Society Belgium
15. Kirat Yakthum Chumlung, Belgium
16. Cambodian Culture Centre, Belgium
17. Cameroun Union Flanders, Belgium
18. Tibetan Society Belgium
Remarks from Distinguished Guests
The closing segment of the first session featured inspiring remarks from distinguished guests who underscored the importance of cultural inclusion, global peace, and the role of diaspora communities in shaping a better future.
Mr. Dirk Vansina, Deputy Mayor of Leuven Municipality, delivered a heartfelt address celebrating the Nepalese diaspora’s vibrant presence in Leuven. He emphasized that “there is hope to build a better society when communities come together in solidarity.”
Mr. Vansina praised the inclusivity and cultural richness that the Nepalese community brings to the city, noting that Leuven proudly welcomes their traditions, values, and contributions. His message reinforced the city’s commitment to diversity and its recognition of grassroots peace movements like LKGCB as vital to social cohesion.
Her Excellency Ms. Sewa Lamsal, Ambassador of Nepal to BENELUX and the EU, delivered a powerful and affirming speech. She highlighted the global significance of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, as a timeless symbol of peace and enlightenment. Ambassador Lamsal emphasized that Buddha’s message of compassion and nonviolence transcends borders and remains deeply relevant in today’s world. She commended LKGCB for its tireless efforts in promoting Nepal’s cultural heritage and fostering international dialogue.
In closing, she extended her full support to the campaign, encouraging continued collaboration and expressing pride in the Nepalese community’s role in advancing peace and unity abroad.
These remarks added a diplomatic and civic dimension to the assembly, affirming that LKGCB’s mission resonates not only within communities but also at the highest levels of local and international leadership.
Messages of Support from Absent Guests
While the 9th General Assembly of LKGCB welcomed a wide array of distinguished guests and speakers, several invited dignitaries and community leaders were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite their absence, they extended heartfelt apologies and warm wishes for the success of the event. Among the invited guests who were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances but sent their warm wishes and apologies include –
- His Excellency Mr. Chandana Weerasena, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union.
- His Excellency Mr. Andri Hadi, Ambassador of Indonesia to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union.
- Her Excellency Ms. Tshoki Choden, Ambassador of Bhutan in Brussels
- Paulo Casaca, CEO, South Asia Democratic Forum in Brussels
- Axel Goethals, CEO, European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels
- Mr Phillip Njodzeka, Vice-President, Active Intercultural Federation (AIF+)
- Mr Basu Gautam, President, Lumbini World Peace Forum, Nepal
Many expressed admiration for LKGCB’s mission and acknowledged the importance of the assembly in promoting peace, cultural understanding, and global collaboration.
Their thoughtful gestures served as a reminder that even when physically apart, the spirit of unity and shared purpose continues to bind the global community together. LKGCB remains grateful for their kind words and looks forward to welcoming them in future gatherings.
Concluding Remarks from Dr. Rajendra Bari
In his closing remarks, Dr. Rajendra Bari expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their presence, ideas, and energy. He reflected on the day’s events as a powerful testament to the strength of unity across backgrounds, organizations, and cultures. Dr. Bari emphasized that LKGCB’s achievements are rooted in collaboration—every project, act of kindness, and partnership has created ripples of positive change.
He reminded attendees that the global challenges of peace, sustainability, and inclusion demand deeper cooperation, active listening, and bold innovation. Dr. Bari urged everyone to leave inspired not only by what has been achieved, but by the limitless potential of collective action.
“Let’s continue to build bridges, support one another, and expand our impact—locally and globally,” he affirmed. His message resonated as a call to action: to keep striving for a more peaceful, just, and compassionate world—together.
At the end, the 9th General Assembly has unanimously endorsed the new Executive Board comprised of 13 members under the leadership of Dr Rajendra Bari. LKGCB proudly introduced 5 new executive board members: Their diverse backgrounds and expertise are expected to strengthen the organization’s capacity and outreach.
The list of new executive board members are given below.
President– Dr Rajendra Bari
Senior Vice-President – Ms Yogita Thapa
Vice-President – Ms Rashmi Niroula
General Secretary – Mr Mahendra Bhattarai
Secretary – Dr Raju Shrivastav
Treasurer – Ms Maiya Nepal
Board Member – Deepak Raut
Board Member – Rubina Sharma
Board Member – Sudip Tiwari
Board Member – Prakash Shrestha
Board Member – Aiestha Thapa
Board Member – Deepsun Uprety
Strategic Planning and Future Outlook
Following a networking lunch, LKGCB members convened for a closed session to discuss future plans, upcoming campaigns, and collaborative opportunities for 2026 and beyond.