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International Advisory Council



Chairmain of the Auroville Foundation, Dr. Karan Singh
 The International Advisory Council of the Auroville Foundation consists of not more than five members, nominated by the UNESCO unit of the HRD Ministry of the Government of India from persons who in its opinion are devoted to the ideals of human unity, peace and progress. The members of the International Advisory Council meet once a year in Auroville. The powers of the International Advisory Council are advisory only. When giving advice to the Governing Board, the Council endeavours to ensure that the ideals for which Auroville has been established are encouraged, and that the residents of Auroville are allowed the freedom to grow and develop activities and institutions which further the aspirations and programmes envisaged in the Charter of Auroville.


Present International Advisory Council members are:

Auroville International Advisory Council comprises 5 members nominated by the Central Government. The Central Government, vide Ministry of Human Resource Development Notification No. F.27-18/2008-UU dated 19.01.2009, constituted the present Council on 19th January 2009 with the following members:

 

(1)     Sir Mark Tully (UK): Author, Journalist and Commentator on Contemporary Affairs; former head of the BBC’s India operations.

(2)    Dr Doudou Diène (Senegal): Special Rapporteur to U.N. on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance; Director, Intercultural and Inter-Religious Dialogue and Peace Culture, UNESCO;

(3)      Dr Vishakha N. Desai (US):  President, Asia Society of New York, NY

 (4)    Dr Marc Luyckx Ghisi (Belgium): Theologian & Researcher; Former Advisor to Presidents of the European Commission.

 (5)     Mr Julian Lines (US): Chairman, Auroville International Association, New York, NY

 

The International Advisory Council decided to meet at least twice a year at Auroville during the same period when the Governing Board meets. The previous Advisory Council met only once at Auroville during the period 1st April – 26th October 2008. During the period 19th January 2009 – 31st March 2009, the present Council did not meet as no meeting of the Governing Board was held during the period.

The Advisory Council has placed on record its deep appreciation of the exceptional character of the involvement of the people and the government of India in nursing Auroville as a crucible of an important experiment in human unity through a unique coming together of cultural and geographic diversity. It believes that Auroville’s universality and its achievements in the fields of education and sustainable lifestyles have important implications for India and the world.

The Council has encouraged the strengthening of Auroville’s internal institutions through more effective communication, enhanced transparency and appropriate devolution of power. The Council also holds the view that decision-making at appropriate levels empowers a community and leads to its governance becoming more effective and sustainable in the long run.

Former members of the International Advisory Council are:

  • Ms. Mary E. King, President Global Action, Inc., Washington
  • Dr. A.T. Aryaratne, President Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Sri Lanka ;
  • Mr. Kireet Joshi;
  • Prof. Diana Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University ;
  • Prof. Norman Myers, CMG, environmentalist;
  • Prof. Amartya Sen, Indian Nobel laureate and economist;
  • Mr. Maurice Strong, former Secretary-General UNCED;
  • Dr. Ervin Laszlo, Director World Future;
  • the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata, foremost Indian industrialist;
  • Snr. Federico Mayor, Director General of UNESCO;
  • Mr. Bertrand Schneider, Secretary General of the Club of Rome;
  • Mrs. Hanne Strong, President Manitou Foundation;
  • late Mr. Nani Palkhivala, eminent Indian lawyer.