To provide the new generations with concrete tools to face and address the current challenges of our times, and help them become messengers of peace, the 2026 AYUDH Europe Summit revolved around the theme One Humanity. From July 26 to August 2, 2026, One Humanity became a lived experience for the Ashram’s youth movement as over 200 participants from 29 countries across Europe and beyond gathered at MA Centre, Germany.
Through thought-provoking talks, applied workshops, community service, cultural exchange, meditation, music, sports and shared meals, the youth explored what it truly means to build a more compassionate and connected world.
“Meeting people from so many different backgrounds reminded me that our differences are far smaller than the values we share,” explained Andreas Christensen with AYUDH Denmark.
“Being surrounded by people who genuinely want to make a difference renewed my motivation to keep growing, serving, and leading with compassion. Genuine human connection is one of the most powerful forces for change.”
Held over eight days, the summit combined personal growth with dialogue and action. Each day offered the youth opportunities to learn from one another while building lasting friendships across cultures, religions and backgrounds.
The event was part of the Care4You(th) project, partly funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Commission in partnership with Apprentis d’Auteuil, the city of Brombachtal and ETW-France.
One of the week’s most memorable sessions was a talk by Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Amma’s senior-most disciple. He challenged young people to see One Humanity not as something to achieve “out there,” but as a transformation that begins within each of us.
“First comes wisdom, the ability to ask the right questions. Logic belongs to the head; wisdom belongs to the heart,” he said, explaining that love often understands what logic cannot.
“We must move beyond life’s breakdowns and embrace breakthroughs by letting go of ego and allowing love to become the foundation of every action. As Amma says, ‘You become what you think about.’”
Swamiji also spoke about the importance of developing an intuitive mind, explaining that creativity and insight arise not through constant struggle but through stillness and presence.
“Confusion is the conflict between the past and the future,” he said. “Be in the present moment.”
Swamiji reminded everyone that lasting social change begins with personal transformation. Every small step towards greater wisdom, love, and selflessness creates a wave that reaches far beyond ourselves.
“What is created by the head alone rarely awakens the heart, but the heart has the power to transform the world,” concluded Swamiji.
The summit’s first session started with a moving keynote address by Swami Shubamritananda Puri, who explored the theme “The Power of Kindness” as the foundation of One Humanity.
“The person in front of me matters, not because they share my beliefs or background, but because they are human, and that alone is enough,” he said.
“One Humanity is not merely an inspiring ideal, but a practical way of living. Beneath differences of language, nationality or belief, every human being shares the same longing to be happy, loved and safe.”
Through moving stories from Amma’s compassionate care for a displaced migrant in Europe to the extraordinary generosity shown by the people of Gander, Canada, who welcomed nearly 7,000 stranded airline passengers after the events of 11 September 2001, he illustrated how simple acts of kindness can transcend nationality, religion and culture to reveal our shared bond as human beings.
In her session, Swamini Amritajyoti Prana invited the youth to reflect on a few simple questions: “Who wants to be happy? Who wants to be loved? Who wants to feel safe? Who wants true friendship? Who wants a life with meaning?” Every hand in the room was raised.
Drawing on the wisdom of the Vedas and Amma’s teachings, she said we must look beyond fear, ego and the illusion of “us versus them”. Compassion is not something we force ourselves to practise, but naturally emerges when we recognise our interconnectedness.
“One Humanity is not an ideal for the future. It is a truth to awaken to and a practice to live every day,” she said.
To foster this, the youth attended sessions on emotional wellbeing, sustainability, leadership and service, while engaging in hands-on activities from community projects and sports to intercultural evenings, talent shows and group discussions.
Dr. Paula Bohr, a noted physician from Denmark and the granddaughter of the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Niels Bohr and the daughter of Nobel laureate Aage Bohr, led an experiential session on the nervous system, encouraging participants to become more aware of how safety, connection and presence are experienced in the body.
Dr. Joost Monks, an international expert in education policies and artificial intelligence (AI), reflected on the principles of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The world is one family”), illustrating how these ancient ideas find practical expression through service and community engagement.
During her talk, Dr. Isabel Signes, an optometrist who is President of Vision without Borders, explored what it truly means to see, connecting physical vision with the vision of the heart. Drawing on her experience in blindness prevention and international cooperation, she encouraged young people to listen to their inner calling, believe in themselves, and use their abilities in service of others.
The summit reached a powerful moment during the One Humanity Panel Discussion, where speakers from different backgrounds, including AYUDH members, senior policy makers and outstanding professionals shared personal experiences of dialogue, collaboration and hope.
Their reflections resonated deeply with the youth and the residents of Hessen who attended the panel. Among distinguished speakers, Jelena Zelenovic, Programme Specialist in Global Citizenship and Peace Education at UNESCO, shared UNESCO’s mission and vision of global education and community building. Swami Shubamritananda, Isabel Signes, and Paola Fraschini, seven-time world champion in roller skating, also brought valuable contributions to the discussion.
One of the youth summarised the discussion by saying: “Before today’s session I was leaning more towards the idea that unity happens when people are more similar or agree with each other. But after hearing these heartening stories, I see that diversity is not necessarily a cause of conflict or division. It can be a source of inspiration, connection, curiosity, and learning.”
The event gathered many distinguished guests including the Mayor of Brombachtal, Mr. Andreas Koch, and Mr. Rajiv Goswami, representative of the Indian Consulate in Frankfurt.
Its observations will contribute to the AYUDH Statement on One Humanity, an annual document capturing the summit’s key insights and recommendations assembled by Dr. Ties Fakkel. The statement is shared with policymakers, organisations and youth networks, helping to bring young people’s voices into conversations about building a more peaceful, sustainable and compassionate future.
Amid a dynamic programme of talks, workshops and activities, the young people also found moments of deep inner silence and peace. The summit offered daily bhajan sessions, an evening lakeside meditation, and energising musical performances, including concerts by the African drumming band Bingoma and by G.L.A.D., a young French singer whose music harmoniously blends musical influences from many different cultures.
Among the week’s most cherished moments was also the bhajan session led by Swami Amritaswarupananda, that brought the whole audience to its feet. The last day’s session concluded with Swamiji singing Amma’s bhajan Mata Rani, which became a powerful symbol of unity, joy, and hope.
The week ended with a new beginning, as several AYUDH members departed under the guidance of Dr. Karen Darke, MBE, on a 15-day 1500km bicycle ride from the MA Centre, Germany to Rome, Italy.
This independent project was born from Dr. Karen Darke’s talks at the 21st AYUDH Europe summit in 2025. Led by Karen herself, who is a Paralympic gold medalist in cycling, the expedition will cross four different European countries and the Alps. The proceeds from the journey will support the treatment of people who have suffered spinal injuries, at Amrita Hospital, Kochi.
As another inspiring AYUDH Europe Summit came to a close, the youth left with an experience that transcended words—One Humanity is not about erasing differences but embracing them with patience, openness and mutual respect.
Whether through thoughtful dialogue, shared service, meditation, cultural celebrations or simply spending time together, the summit demonstrated that unity grows not from uniformity, but from recognising our one world family. All returned home with a shared commitment to continue living the spirit of One Humanity in their own communities.
