Diplomacy And Leadership For A More Connected World: Mohanji Joins Diplomatic And Business Leaders In New York

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NEW YORK, October 1, 2026 — Connecting diplomacy and business, examining leaders’ responsibilities in a rapidly changing world, and preserving human connection in the age of emerging technologies were the central themes of the VIP Diplomacy & Leadership Evening hosted by Ambassador Dr. Vladimir Božović, President of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, and Dame Gloria Starr Kins, President and Founder of Society & Diplomatic Review.

Held at Dame Gloria’s residence, the gathering brought together guests from more than 40 countries, including ambassadors, consuls general, consuls and other diplomats, business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of medicine, academia, culture, media, philanthropy, and spiritual communities. The guest of honor and keynote speaker was Brahmarishi Dr. Mohanji, an internationally recognized spiritual and humanitarian leader.

The evening opened with a film marking the history and centenary of the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York. It presented the organization’s legacy and its longstanding role in connecting the consular community, serving citizens, and strengthening international understanding.

At the beginning of his address, Ambassador Božović offered a particularly warm and personal tribute to co-host and co-organizer Dame Gloria Starr Kins, observing that she had opened both her home and her heart to the guests. He honored her perseverance, resilience through life’s challenges, generosity, and energy, describing her remarkable and fruitful 99 years as an inspiration and a symbol of New York’s endurance, vitality, and ability to connect people from across the world.

Božović also expressed his pride in representing the Republic of Serbia in New York and the United States. Reflecting on a country that has opened its doors to generations of people and offered opportunities to live, work, and create, he conveyed his admiration and gratitude for American hospitality with the words: “God bless America.”

He connected this message with Nikola Tesla, the great Serbian-American scientist and inventor, and Swami Vivekananda, the great Indian monk, spiritual teacher, and one of the foremost figures in introducing yoga and Vedanta to the West. He recalled that they were contemporaries who met in New York, a city that provided a setting for the exchange of their scientific and spiritual ideas. Their example reflected the purpose of the evening: creating opportunities for people of different backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge to contribute together to progress.

The gathering was organized to bring the diplomatic and consular community into closer engagement with business and leaders across different fields. Ambassador Božović’s initiative is grounded in the belief that personal connections and trust strengthen understanding of international developments and create a foundation for practical cooperation. Diplomatic experience, business initiative, and professional knowledge, united by shared responsibility, can open new opportunities for development and community well-being.

Introducing Mohanji, Božović highlighted the relevance of his perspective for leaders working amid increasing complexity, pressure, and uncertainty. At the beginning of his own address, Mohanji also expressed his appreciation to Dame Gloria Starr Kins for her hospitality and the opportunity for direct dialogue.

Mohanji’s address explored how individuals and institutions understand the world and the responsibilities they assume for its future. He encouraged a broader perspective that recognizes the world as an interconnected whole alongside national frameworks. For diplomatic and business leaders, this approach invites reflection on the consequences of decisions that reach beyond a single country or organization.

Reflecting on time and purpose, he suggested considering life through the limited number of days available to each person — approximately 30,000 — as a way to examine priorities more consciously. He encouraged participants to consider what they truly wish to achieve and how they can use their time, abilities, and influence meaningfully.

A central theme was self-connection: understanding and accepting one’s nature, uniqueness, and potential. Mohanji linked this inner awareness to how people relate to others and exercise responsibility. Leadership grounded in authenticity, stability, and compassion creates space for thoughtful decisions and a practical contribution to society.

In the context of conflict and social division, he emphasized the need to pause and question the decisions in which people participate, the actions they accept mechanically, and the human consequences that follow. He identified diplomacy as a space in which these questions can be raised and dialogue can encourage more conscious and responsible action.

He also shared experiences of bringing together representatives of Indigenous communities from Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand, the Arctic, and the Amazon at a gathering in South Africa. He discussed their role as wisdom keepers, the preservation of culture and nature, and the possibility of an international platform that would give their knowledge and voices greater recognition.

A significant part of his address examined technology’s impact on human relationships. He observed that dependence on digital devices can deepen isolation and distance, including within families. The emergence of artificial intelligence and its implications for work and daily life make it increasingly important to cultivate compassion, intuition, direct experience, and the capacity for genuine human connection.

He encouraged a multidimensional understanding of human experience, open to different perspectives and deeper self-awareness. His message connected personal development with selfless service, kindness, nonviolence, and responsibility for the world people share.

The address was followed by questions and an open discussion, allowing guests to explore these themes through their diverse professional and life experiences.

Dame Gloria Starr Kins shared a personal family story that brought a deeply human dimension to the evening. As a third-generation immigrant, she reflected on her family’s experience during the Second World War, when assistance from consular services and the issuance of visas enabled her relatives to leave Europe, escape Nazi persecution, and reach the United States. Her testimony was a powerful reminder that consular work can play a decisive role in saving lives and shaping the futures of entire families.

The program was moderated by Tijana Ibrahimović, a New York television journalist, presenter, and founder of POP Style TV. Following the formal program, conversations continued over traditional Indian and Serbian food in an atmosphere of friendship and cultural exchange.

For the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, the gathering advances an ongoing initiative to strengthen cooperation among diplomats, the business community, and leaders across different sectors. Its message is clear: trust grows through direct dialogue, and responsible leadership translates knowledge, influence, and human connection into action for the common good.