Planting Seeds of Peace: Rahul Chaly from India Honoured with Global Advocate for Peace Award at the UN

New Delhi [India], July 1 : In a world increasingly divided, Rahul Chaly’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of empathy, grassroots action, and global collaboration. At the recent International Diplomats Conference at the United Nations in Bangkok, he was honoured with the Global Advocate for Peace Award, a prestigious recognition given to changemakers who champion compassion, uplift communities, and promote sustainable development on a global scale.

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A native of Kerala, Rahul played a key role in establishing Thrissur City among the International Cities of Peace, connecting it to a worldwide network committed to community-based peacebuilding. As the city’s official liaison, he coordinates between local stakeholders and international partners to ensure Thrissur’s peace initiatives are inclusive, sustainable, and globally aligned.

As President of the Rotary Club of Trichur West (RID 3201), Rahul has led over 20 impactful service projects across rural Kerala, advancing healthcare, education, and livelihoods. Under his leadership, the club was also established as an official Rotarian Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) Peacebuilder Club, reinforcing its commitment to grassroots peacebuilding.

Globally, he has represented India at the Rotary International Presidential Peace Conference in Istanbul and the Global Peace Summit at the UN in Bangkok, where he engaged in sessions on cross-cultural understanding and youth-led diplomacy. He also serves as a Peace Ambassador with the Institute for Economics and Peace, Humanitarian Affairs Asia, and as a World’s Children’s Prize Child Rights Ambassador Trainer. Despite his growing global presence, Rahul remains firmly rooted in community-driven change.

A passionate proponent of Positive Peace, Rahul promotes the IEP’s framework that defines peace not just as the absence of violence but as the presence of attitudes, institutions, and structures that create and sustain harmony. The Positive Peace Index, which evaluates the resilience of 163 countries, underpins his advocacy to build equitable and environmentally sound societies.

Rahul's leadership is shaped by his academic foundation at the Lawrence School Lovedale, VIT Vellore and the prestigious Imperial College London, where he completed his Master’s degree. His exposure to systems thinking and sustainability at one of the world’s top-ranked universities informs how he bridges local challenges with global peace frameworks.

One of his long-term visions is to integrate peace education into India’s higher secondary school curriculum. “At a time like this, when the world is so divided, we must teach our children empathy, nonviolence, and systems thinking,” he says. “That’s how we future-proof humanity.”

Despite international recognition, Rahul remains deeply grounded. In a quiet moment during a post-award interview, when asked about the source of his compassion and commitment to peace, he smiled and said, “I guess I just learnt it by watching how my father treated people—with dignity, kindness, and fairness. Compassion isn’t something you preach; it’s something you practice, every day.”

Whether leading a tree-planting drive in Kerala or advocating for peace at the UN, Rahul Chaly blends humility with vision. The Global Advocate for Peace Award is not just a recognition of past achievements—it’s a beacon lighting the road ahead.

In an age that hungers for unity, his message is clear:

Peace begins with people—and grows wherever courage and compassion take root.

Thrissur City Kerala India | International Cities of Peace

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