Dr Shishir Srivastava -
– an educator devoted to nurturing Global Citizenship Education and guiding
the vision of Global Unity 2035.
Dr. Shishir Srivastava is an internationally respected career spans more than two decades of transformative work in education, youth empowerment and global cooperation. His peace educator, visionary leader and lifelong advocate of Global Citizenship Education (GCED), whose mission has consistently aligned with UNESCO’s vision of building peace in the minds of people through education, intercultural dialogue, human rights and sustainability.
Until January 2025, Dr. Srivastava served as the Head of International Relations at City Montessori School (CMS), Lucknow —the world’s largest school—where he pioneered global initiatives that placed young people at the heart of peacebuilding and global solidarity. He played a key role in organizing the Conference of Chief Justices of the World, an unparalleled platform where over 200 heads of judiciary from 60 to 70 countries came together annually to advocate for the rights of the child, sustainable development, and democratic global governance. Till November 2024, 1500 chief justices and judges from 140 countries had participated in last 24 such conferences. Through this initiative, thousands of students gained firsthand exposure to principles of justice, equity and global interdependence—experiences that deeply reflected the ideals of GCED.
In 2025, Dr. Srivastava made a defining transition in his life’s journey by leaving CMS to dedicate himself fully to advancing Global Citizenship Education worldwide. He now leads the Shishir Leadership Academy (SLA) and chairs the Women and Youth Welfare Association (WAY) —a non-profit organization devoted to empowering women and youth to address sustainability challenges. Through these institutions, he is shaping a holistic model of education that extends beyond classrooms and equips young people with the skills, values, and mindsets to become active contributors to a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.
At the heart of his current work lies the Global Unity 2035 Plan of Action—a bold, future-oriented initiative that seeks to mobilize educators, policymakers, and youth leaders across nations to collaborate on pressing global challenges. This plan envisions a decade-long movement where peace education, environmental sustainability, and intercultural harmony converge to create a new framework for global cooperation, echoing UNESCO’s mission of fostering solidarity and shared humanity.
Through the Shishir Leadership Academy, Dr. Srivastava develops youth as ‘Global Citizens’ by embedding GCED principles into leadership training, capacity-building programs and community projects. His educational philosophy emphasizes empathy, intercultural understanding, critical thinking and civic responsibility, ensuring that young people are prepared to take local action with global impact.
A prolific writer and thought leader, Dr. Srivastava is the author of several influential books, including The Eight Powers Within You, Utho Yuva, and New India in the 21st Century, the latter earning praise from Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for its call to inspire youth leadership. His writings and speeches consistently advocate that education must move beyond literacy and numeracy to become a force for human dignity, social justice and planetary well-being.
Over the years, Dr. Srivastava has been widely recognized for his service to humanity, receiving honors such as ‘Global Friend of the World’s Children’, ‘Man of the Year’ , and an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Theophany University, Haiti. Yet, for him, these accolades are not endpoints but affirmations of his unwavering mission: to cultivate generations of young people who see themselves as custodians of Earth and humanity, committed to peace, equity and sustainability.
In an era of climate crisis, conflict, and social divides, Dr. Shishir Srivastava stands as a leader of the Global Citizenship Education movement, carrying forward the torch of UNESCO’s vision and proving through his life’s work that education is the most powerful tool to transform our world into one of unity, harmony and shared prosperity.
Media – News & Interviews Featuring Dr. Shishir Srivastava
On Global Citizenship Education & Global Unity
On Educational Leadership & Recognition
Books & Thought Leadership
Recognitions, Authorship & Thought Leadership
Awards and Achievements
- Shiksha Gaurav Samman (Education Excellence Award) – Lucknow (2022)
- Honorary Doctorate in Education – Theophany University, Haiti (2021)
- Nagada Leadership Award – Nagada Foundation, New Delhi (2016)
- Man of the Year – Justice TLV Iyer Foundation, Chennai (2012)
- Young Communicator Award – SIMC, Pune, presented by Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Mayor of Lucknow (2009)
- Global Friend of World’s Children –World’s Children’s Prize Foundation, Sweden (2007)
Prominent Books Authored
- The Eight Powers Within You (Penguin, 2010) – A widely acclaimed self-help book inspiring global readers to achieve personal empowerment.
- New India in the 21st Century (Notion, 2023) – An insightful exploration of India's evolving educational and social landscape.
Impactful Contributions
- Global Thought Leadership in Education & Peace – Recognized for transformative contributions through globally acclaimed publications, including The Eight Powers within You.
- Inspirational Speaker & Visionary Leader – Delivered keynote addresses and motivational lectures, fostering personal growth, leadership, and organizational excellence.
- Innovator in Education & Global Engagement – Played a pivotal role in shaping education reforms, promoting peace-building, and driving global dialogue on leadership and sustainability.
Global Engagements: Conferences & Seminars
- Global Unity Conference for Peace and Sustainability (2025)
- International Conference of Chief Justices of the World, India (2024)
- International Interfaith Conference, India (2024) – Promoting Religious Unity
- Geneva School of Diplomacy, Geneva (2023) – Delivered a lecture on ‘The Eight Powers Within You’
- Financial University, Moscow (2022) – Presented on ‘Indian History and Modern Values’
- Webinar on Adaptability Quotient, Mumbai (2022)
- International Webinar, Lucknow (2021) – Spoke on ‘Global Citizenship Education for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’
- World Unity Wave, Hiroshima Day International Webinar (2020)
- Peace Camp, Busan, South Korea (2019)
- Lifelong Learning: Effective Approaches & Outlook, Moscow (2018)
- Second WARP Summit, Seoul, South Korea (2018)
- Educational Tour, Singapore (2017)
- Leadership Conference for Educators, Mumbai (2015) – Workshop by College Board
- 65th Annual UNDPI/NGO Conference, UN Headquarters, New York (2014)
- Leadership Conference for Educators, Chennai (2014) – Workshop by College Board
- 2nd International Conference on Humanization of Education, Moscow (2014)
- New York University Seminar for Counsellors, Singapore (2013)
- International Conference on Social Capital, Moscow (2013)
- International Youth Forum, Sharda University, New Delhi (2012)
- Gusi Peace Prize International Award Ceremony, Manila (2011)
- Education for Peace & World Citizenship in the 21st Century, University of Oslo, Norway (2011)
- International Students' Quality Control Circle Conference, Kathmandu (2010)
- International Interfaith Conference, Kuala Lumpur (2010)
- Moscow State University, Moscow (2009)
- World's Children's Prize for the Rights of Children, Mariefred, Sweden (2007)
- World Peace Camp, Shiga, Japan (2005)
- Global Conference on Conflict Prevention, UN Headquarters, New York (2005)
- Commonwealth Regional Training Workshop, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2005)
- Parliament of World Religions, Barcelona (2004)
- World Social Forum, Mumbai (2004)
Academic Credentials & Professional Development
- Geneva School of Diplomacy & International Relations
Short-Term Master-Level Course in International Relations
Geneva, Switzerland | Feb 2023 – May 2023
- Harvard Business School Online: Organizational Leadership Course
Jan 2022 – Mar 2022
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (PGDHRM)
New Delhi, India | Jun 2015 – Jun 2016
- Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU): Master of Arts in Psychology (MAPC)
New Delhi, India | Jun 2013 – Jun 2015
- Goa University: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Goa, India | Jun 1995 – May 1998
- Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE): Indian School Certificate (ISC)
Jun 1993 – Mar 1995