Ritinjali
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Centre For Escalation Of Peace
Building peace through dialogue, leadership, and cross-border understanding
The Centre for Escalation of Peace (CEP) advances dialogue, leadership, and cross-border engagement to foster understanding, cooperation, and sustainable peace across communities and societies.
Through youth-led programmes, fellowships, and leadership platforms, the CEP equips young changemakers with the skills, networks, and perspectives needed to bridge divides, promote inclusive dialogue, and catalyse collaborative solutions to shared social challenges.
Key Components
01
Dialogue Circles
Facilitate conversations that encourage listening, sharing, and mutual respect
02
Peace & Values-Based Sessions
Explore themes of identity, empathy, conflict, and coexistence
03
Reflection-Based Learning
Guide activities that help learners think critically and understand perspectives
Our Initiatives
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India–Bhutan Dialogues
Over ten rounds of bilateral Track II dialogues from 2013 - 2019, the CEP has fostered sustained engagement among policymakers, scholars, and strategic thinkers from India and Bhutan.
By creating a trusted platform for discussions on shared opportunities and challenges, the initiative has strengthened mutual understanding, informed policy conversations, and complemented official diplomatic efforts. Conducted in collaboration with leading institutions from both countries, including the Royal Institute of Governance & Strategic Studies (RIGSS) and the Ananta Aspen Centre, the dialogues have been characterised by mutual trust and understanding amongst the participants, reflecting the close traditional ties shared between Bhutan and India.
India–Bhutan Youth Summit
Since its inception in 2018, the India–Bhutan Youth Summit has brought together young leaders from both countries to foster dialogue, cultural exchange and collaborative learning. Designed to strengthen the friendship between India and Bhutan, the summit provides immersive experiences through leadership workshops, academic discussions, outdoor activities, and community engagement. Participants gain a deeper understanding of shared values, cultures, and regional aspirations while building meaningful cross-border relationships. By nurturing a network of young changemakers and future ambassadors, the initiative continues to promote long-term collaboration, mutual understanding, and stronger people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Asia-Pacific Schools Initiative
CEP launched the Asia-Pacific Schools Initiative, a biennial educational programme designed to bring together students and teachers from the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative was rooted in the idea of creating a network of future leaders who could practise leadership through calmness, reflection and responsibility. Students and teachers from different countries came together through residential and experiential programmes that combined field visits, academic discussions, sports, theatre, cultural interaction and reflection. The programme placed emphasis on leadership as practice rather than position, helping young people develop qualities such as compassion, rigour, resilience, collaboration, self-regulation and responsibility.
School Leaders’ Retreat
The School Leaders’ Retreat extended this idea to heads of institutions. It brought together school leaders, particularly those connected with the Asia-Pacific Schools Initiative, to reflect on what it means to lead schools in a complex and fast-changing world. The retreat was designed to help school leaders understand and practise thoughtful and calm leadership, so that they could support teachers and students in their own institutions. The underlying belief was that if schools practised reflective, responsible leadership, its influence would extend beyond the school and into the wider community.
Philosophers’ Retreat
The Philosophers’ Retreat has created a unique space for educators, policymakers, business leaders and civil society thinkers to engage in meaningful dialogue on the future of education and human development. Through discussions on themes such as the purpose of education, youth resilience and the impact of technology on human connection, the retreat has encouraged cross-sector collaboration and the exchange of diverse perspectives. By fostering thoughtful reflection on contemporary challenges, the initiative has helped shape conversations about how education systems can better prepare individuals and societies for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Guru Conference & Exhibition
Through its conferences and exhibitions on Guru Padmasambhava (2019) and Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna (2025), the Centre for Escalation of Peace (CEP) has created platforms for dialogue, scholarship, and cultural exchange across South Asia and the Himalayan region. Bringing together spiritual leaders, scholars, practitioners, and learners from India, Bhutan, and beyond, these gatherings have deepened understanding of shared intellectual and spiritual heritage. By connecting historical wisdom with contemporary challenges, the initiatives have strengthened cross-cultural understanding, fostered regional collaboration, and inspired new conversations on peace, ethics, compassion, and leadership.
India–Bhutan Cultural Exchange and Art Camp
Through a number of cultural exchanges and art camps with artists from India and Bhutan, CEP has strengthened cultural ties and encouraged cross-border creative collaboration. By providing opportunities for artists to live, learn and create together, this initiative has fostered a deeper appreciation of shared heritage and diverse cultural traditions. The resulting artistic exchanges have encouraged lasting professional relationships, showcased art as a medium for dialogue and understanding, and strengthened people-to-people relations between the two countries.
Mindful Living in Practice
Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a world-renowned teacher of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, has led a series of retreats at the CEP that have made contemplative practices and mindfulness teachings accessible to diverse audiences.
With a unique ability to present ancient Indian and Tibetan wisdom in a fresh, engaging manner, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s teachings weave together his own personal experiences with modern scientific research. The retreats have provided practical tools for navigating personal and professional challenges while fostering deeper reflection on inner peace, compassion and human flourishing, extending the reach of mindfulness education across communities and backgrounds.
Public Sessions
Through lectures, panel discussions and a series of webinars, CEP has created accessible platforms for public learning and informed dialogue on education, leadership, technology, well-being and social development. By bringing together distinguished experts, policymakers, educators and practitioners, these sessions have encouraged the exchange of ideas on issues shaping contemporary society. The initiative has enabled participants to engage with diverse perspectives, explore emerging challenges and gain practical insights, contributing to stronger public discourse and a culture of lifelong learning and thoughtful engagement.
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