The Third World March for Peace and Nonviolence made a stop last Friday in Banepa, bringing together a diverse group of representatives from around the world: Bangladesh, India, Australia, England, Italy, and Spain. Among the members of the base team was Rafael De La Rubia, the March’s founder, who, along with the others, received a warm welcome from the mayor and his staff. The visit led to an intense day of discussion and reflection, dedicated to promoting the principles of nonviolence, the core mission of the World March.
Later, the group visited the renowned Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), an institution established through a collaboration between Kathmandu University and Dhulikhel Hospital. Here, the team members toured the medical and academic facilities, immersing themselves in the local environment and its values. The day continued with a plenary lecture for approximately 300 students, in which Dr. Marco Inglessis and Dr. Tiziana Landra highlighted the importance of the Third March and its initiatives to foster a culture of peace and nonviolence. Dr. Francesca De Vito then emphasized the benefits of nonviolence-based action, which improves not only the quality of life but also health, in alignment with the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Each presentation underlined how an empathetic relationship between medical staff and patients can enrich and strengthen the quality of care.
At the end of the meeting, students and team members came together to create a human symbol of peace, a profound and symbolic gesture of unity and hope.
In the afternoon, after a lunch hosted by the university, the team met with faculty members to exchange ideas and perspectives. The day concluded with a meaningful meeting between the core team and the dean, a renowned dentist, Prof. Dr. Manoj Humagain, to lay the foundation for future collaboration between KUSMS and local organizations that facilitated the March’s visit to Nepal. The discussion focused on the importance of considering violence as a public health issue, following WHO guidelines that define it as a “global pandemic.”
The Third World March continues its journey, leaving behind bridges of dialogue and international cooperation, underscoring the importance of a shared commitment to building a more peaceful and nonviolent world.