On 15 November 2018, Venerable Phramedhivajirodom was appointed as one of the first two UNHCR Patrons, committing to promote peace and compassion towards refugees and humanitarian crises, as well as engaging others to support our work.
In light of the global refugee crisis, the concept of sympathy and compassion towards fellow human beings in need has never been more relevant. Venerable Phramedhivajirodom (V.Vajiramedhi) is helping to bring this about by connecting faith leaders with the work of UNHCR.
Venerable V.Vajiramedhi, a well-respected Buddhist monk, scholar, writer and social worker from Thailand, has supported UNHCR since 2016. He has raised funds to provide shelter to two million refugees worldwide under UNHCR’s global Nobody Left Outside campaign.
Since becoming involved with UNHCR, he has visited two refugee camps in Thailand and has met with urban refugees in Malaysia. In addition, Venerable V.Vajiramedhi also convened more than 200 Buddhist monks from different 13 countries at the Buddhism and Humanitarianism in Asia Conference, which strengthens ties between Buddhism and humanitarian work, including the work carried out by UNHCR.
Venerable Phramedhivajirodom, UNHCR’s Patron for Peace and Compassion said: “Despite religion, we are human beings who can connect with each other either with joy or misery which makes us indivisible. As a member of the global family, we are bound to make a better and sustainable living conditions. Loving kindness and compassion are the paths to bring about peace to the world.”
Venerable V. Vajiramedhi graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Sukhothai Thammathirat University, a Master of Buddhist Studies from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University and the ninth level of formal Buddhist ecclesiastical study from Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, Royal Buddhist monastery.
Venerable Vajiramedhi has dedicated his teaching of Applied Buddhism through his lecture, teaching and books; the one which is widely known is “Dhamma with Wings”. He has written more than 200 titles, many of which have been translated into other languages, such as English, French, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian Bahasa, Dutch, Italian and Spanish.
He founded the Vimuttayalaya Institute to advocate for world peace through education and humanitarian works. He is committed to unifying others to bring about peace, prosperity and compassion to the world through the concept of “We are One, We are World”.
From his dedication in promoting peace and social development, leading organisations both in the country and the world presented at least 45 titles and awards including honorary doctoral degrees from five Universities.
