About Us | iahv-me.org

International Association for Human Values

The International Association for Human Values (IAHV) is a humanitarian and educational non-governmental organization committed to promote the resurgence of human values in all aspects of life across the globe.

Our Mission

Through a multitude of self-awareness, educational, and outreach programs, IAHV’s mission is to reduce stress and revive human values. These values include a sense of belonging to a common humanity, respect and consideration for all people, compassion and non-violence, a commitment to preserving the natural environment, and an ethic of social service.

Our Approach

We address immediate and long-term needs with a volunteer-based sustainable approach.

Our Call to Action

We can no longer address problems solely on the level of difficulty. Almost immediately after a solution is implemented, the situation changes, people react, systems evolve, and a new set of challenges arise.

We believe the solution for the world’s greatest challenges lies not just in understanding the problems themselves, but also in strengthening the people who face them. We need individuals with the tools to manage their own minds and emotions – the fear, anger, doubts, and blame – so they can find new solutions for their own problems: personal, interpersonal, or global. The success lies within people with the perspective to continually take on the ever-changing challenges of life.

Our Founder

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is an international humanitarian leader and a spiritual master who is the global rallying voice of this generation's collective call for peace.
Named one of the Seven Most Powerful People in India, by Forbes, his world-renowned meditation techniques helped end the 60 year conflict in Colombia. He has been credited in bringing opposing parties together to facilitate meditation and peace talks in Iraq, Cote d'Ivoire and India.
Founder of the Art of Living Foundation and International Association for Human Values, Sri Sri is leading the way toward peace and tolerance through meditation and humanitarian efforts. Over 35 years, his programs and initiatives have touched the lives of over 370 million people in over 150 countries.
Sudarshan Kriya the meditation technique introduced by Sri Sri is backed by research and implemented in schools, corporations, prisons, refugee camps and retreat centers around the world. As a spiritual teacher, Sri Sri rekindled traditions of yoga and meditation that have helped millions of people achieve personal and social transformation by relieving stress and discoveringinner peace in daily life.
Sri Sri's mission is to show the world that through achieving inner peace, we will be able to see our human interconnectedness and become a One World Family.

Lear More About Sri Sri

Dharmendra Patel

COO

Dharmendra Patel is an Engineering Professional who is equally passionate about Human Values and Education. He has over two decades of experience after completing his Electronic Engineering Degree.

Starting his career in a multi-commodity trading firm as a Service Engineer, he went on to work in Watford, England with one of the world's top Lighting Control System Manufacturing company. His passion and dedication towards his chosen field, propelled him to rise in the organisation to Senior Management position, eventually leading him starting a branch office in Dubai - which was eventually bought out by him thereby turning him into an full-fledged entrepreneur.

In the course of his professional journey, Dharmendra has been associated with some of the high profile, prestigious and milestone projects within the region and has carved out a niche for himself for providing ethical, sustainable Lighting Solutions and Design.

His passion towards Human Values and Education brought him close to IAHV - International Association of Human Values, NGO registered in Geneva. His quest for 'serving' humanity and the society in general continues....

Vanya Vora

Director

Vanya Vora is a Founder and Director at Aranya Farms, a premier farm based in the UAE focused on growing food through organic and technology driven methods like hydroponic green houses and indoor farming. She is on the Board of Directors for International Apparel DMCC Dubai UAE, Defiance Knitting Industries and Defiance Knitting Apparel in India – all businesses she helped found and operate day-to-day previously.

Vanya has been associated with Art of Living since she was introduced to the organization in Dubai in 2002. Since then she has worked with the organization in several different roles and capacities. She has been a teacher throughout the years for many courses and coordinated several IAHV initiatives across the Middle East. She took on leadership roles within the organization in 2005 and has also served on the Board of Directors of IAHV, UAE. She has been part of several renowned programs, of which the most memorable ones include: coordinating United Nations Millennium Development Goals yearly campaign; conducting stress management programs for prison inmates; programs promoting road safety and environmental enhancement; youth programs encouraging human values, cooperative learning and creative wisdom.

We Believe

All human beings are equal.
Responsibility and an attitude of selfless service are the foundation of true empowerment.
Peace, happiness, and compassion are the intrinsic nature of human beings.
Socio-economic development must be built on human values to be sustainable.
Incorporation of human values into all aspects of life will ultimately lead to a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

Background

The International Association for Human Values was created in Geneva in 1997 by HRH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as a global platform for humanitarian initiatives that solve problems by uplifting human values.

Through its country organizations and partners, IAHV conducts service projects and raises funds for humanitarian and disaster relief initiatives throughout the world. IAHV is registered in the following countries: France, Germany, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Russia, Slovenia, USA, Canada, South Africa, Kenya, India, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and St. Lucia.

IAHV’s Middle Eastern efforts were launched in August 2004 with the establishment of the Dubai Humanitarian City, a landmark initiative by the local government to establish the city as a humanitarian hub in the world.

IAHV is registered as a Non Profit Organization with International Humanitarian City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.