Senior Mentor, Dr. Ash Pachauri had a series of meetings at the Maharishi International University (MIU) in Fairfield, Iowa over the course of his three-day visit from June 18-20, 2022.

On Jun 19, 2022, Senior Mentor, Dr. Ash Pachauri visited the Sustainable and Regenerative Living department at MIU and met with the Chair, Dr. Mark Stimson. He received a tour of the sustainable building, the edible garden, and the department’s facilities. He also visited Maharishi School and spoke with current and former students as well as the School Head, Dr. Richard Beall. The discussions with Dr. Stimson and Dr. Beall focused on several unique, consciousness-based educational approaches at MIU and the partnership that may be forged between the POP Movement and the department and school.

Dr. Ash Pachauri made a public presentation — POP Movement: Fairfield, a model of action needed to Protect Our Planet — with questions and answers at Dalby Hall, MIU. The meeting was presided over by President, Dr. Hagelin; and was attended by the MIU and Fairfield communities. Discussions regarding the role of Fairfield in becoming a model for action needed to Protect Our Planet ensued. He also inaugurated the Solar MEG’Array, with Dr. John Hagelin, Troy and Amy van Beek (founders of the Ideal Energy company), and other guests. The solar plant will serve 80% of MIU’s energy needs today and will soon expand to cover 100% of its energy demand.

On June 20, 2022, the Senior Mentor met with the Iowa, Sierra Club and the Resilient Community Initiative team. They shared their initiatives accomplishments to date on building the Fairfield Resilient Community Model. Dr. Pachauri and Sierra Club discussed how to engage students and have them take a leadership role in building community resilience. He also met with the Fairfield High School and MIU students to inspire them to take action on climate change. Discussions on how to take ownership of, build and design a meaningful youth-led POP Festival event for the Fall of 2022 were held and other types of engagements and events to be presented by students that move the needle on climate change were jointly explored.

During his visit to MIU and Fairfield Iowa, it was discussed that MIU may serve as a home for the POP Movement’s, annual flagship event, the POP Festival. Discussion about an exchange program to connect the youth of the POP Movement with the departments of regenerative agriculture and sustainable living and MIU schools were discussed. A permanent scholarship for 5 students to study at MIU and various internship collaborations and opportunities were also explored.

During his visit to MIU and Fairfield Iowa, it was discussed that MIU may serve as a home for the POP Movement’s, annual flagship event, the POP Festival. Discussion about an exchange program to connect the youth of the POP Movement with the departments of regenerative agriculture and sustainable living and MIU schools were discussed. A permanent scholarship for 5 students to study at MIU and various internship collaborations and opportunities were also explored.

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