Washington, D.C.: In a proud moment for Indian academia and global peacebuilding efforts, Dr Rahul Karad, Executive President of MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU), was honoured with the 2025 Global Business and Interfaith Peace Award at the inaugural IRF Builders Forum and Roger Williams IRF Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Hosted by the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat, the two-day forum celebrated global leaders who have significantly contributed to promoting religious freedom, ethical business practices, and interfaith harmony.
The award places Rahul Karad among globally respected past recipients such as the CEO of Intel, Chairman of Godrej Industries, CCO of American Airlines, and Chair of Tyson Foods.
Honouring a Legacy of Peace and Education
Dr. Rahul Karad was recognized for his leadership in promoting value-based peace education through MIT-WPU’s unique six-credit Peace Studies program, which integrates interfaith teachings into mainstream academics.
Over 85,000 students have participated in this curriculum, learning the teachings of diverse religions and philosophies.
Rahul Karad stated:
“This honour is a tribute to the spiritual legacy of India – the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha. Inspired by my father Prof Dr Vishwanath Karad’s vision, we continue our journey toward fostering global peace through education and dialogue.”
He also spoke of the World Peace Dome – the world’s largest dome structure dedicated to world peace – which features statues of 54 spiritual and philosophical leaders from all major faiths.
A Global Recognition with Indian Roots
Instituted in collaboration with the UN Global Compact and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Business for Peace initiative, the Global Business and Interfaith Peace Award has previously been held in major cities like Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, Seoul, New Delhi, and Washington, D.C.
For Rahul Karad and MIT-WPU, this recognition marks a global endorsement of their efforts to create a generation of leaders who are not only professionally skilled but also ethically grounded and spiritually aware.
