Vivekananda International Foundation is a non – Partisan institute for dialogue and conflict resolution from a nationalist perspective. Some of India’s leading experts in the fields of security, military, diplomacy, governance, etc have got together under the institute’s aegis to generate ideas and stimulate action for greater national security and prosperity. Independently funded, VIF is not aligned to any political party or business house. Read more
BGVI is a Thai think tank dedicated to Hon PM Sh Narendra Modi’s vision call for Asian century with Buddha dharma. It was founded in in 2007 at Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya led by Dr Supachai Veerapuchong, a business tycoon and philanthropist. Since then it has been undertaking various initiatives and programs towards propagation and protection of Buddhism including Dhammayatra in the greater Mekong region. BGVI has within its ranks the most influential monks, political and social elite and personalities including from bureaucracy, judiciary, armed forces etc. They are self-funded and aligned to the Indian cultural and religious ethos and origins. The BGVI was the main Thai collaborating entity (along with the Ministry of Culture of Thailand) to host the historic Ganga – Mekong Holy Relics Dhamayatra (Feb- March 2024). The Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and his two chief disciples were brought from India and displayed across four regions of Thailand and close to 5 million devotees from Thailand as well as Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar paid respects to it.
MCU is the oldest and largest Buddhist university and the most influential one in South East Asia. It was founded in 1887 by King Chulalongkorn the Rama 5 of Thailand as higher education institute for Buddhist monks, novices, and laypersons with an emphasis on Buddhist studies and other subjects. It has forty campuses across Thailand, and the proposed venue is its main campus in Ayuthaya, which is about 70 km from Bangkok (1 hour by road). MCU has a long connection with India, and most of its faculty, including the Rector (Chancellor) and Vice Rectors (VCs), are alumni of Indian universities. Currently, about 25 Indian students are studying at MCU, and they receive scholarships from the university. To further strengthen this bond. A Bharat Studies Centre (BSC) was established this year in MCU as a full faculty to provide studies in indology and indic studies, Indian philosophy, Sanskrit, etc. It is thus proposed to have the BSC of MCU as an institutional partner for Samvad in Thailand.
The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), headquartered in New Delhi, is a globally recognized organization fostering Buddhist collaboration and dialogue. Founded in 2012, it aims to unite Buddhist organizations, monks, scholars, and practitioners worldwide. The IBC promotes Buddhist philosophy, cultural heritage, and values of compassion, peace, and sustainability. It serves as a platform for addressing global challenges through Buddha’s teachings, including environmental conservation and interfaith harmony.The IBC has strived to achieve the above goals and is today established under the patronage of the Supreme Buddhist religious hierarchy. It currently has a membership drawn from 39 countries of over 320 organisations both monastic and lay that includes world bodies, national and regional federations, orders, temple bodies and monastics etc. United by the motto “Collective wisdom, United Voice” IBC aims to make Buddhist values and principles a part of the global discourse by presenting a united Buddhist voice on issues that concern all humankind. IBC represents the rich diversity of Buddha Dhamma and provides a platform for the global Buddhist community to share its wisdom and meaningfully participate in the ongoing global social and political discourse, while at the same time preserving and promoting its shared heritage.
The Japan Foundation is Japan’s only institution dedicated to carrying out comprehensive international cultural exchange programs throughout the world. To cultivate friendship and ties between Japan and the world, the Japan Foundation creates global opportunities to foster friendship, trust, and mutual understanding through culture, language, and dialogue. The Japan Foundation was established in October 1972 as a special legal entity supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In October 2003, it was reorganized as an independent administrative institution. Based on a government endowment of 78 billion yen, the activities of the Japan Foundation are financed by annual government subsidies, investment revenue, and donations from the private sector.