TAU Students Pitch Ideas for Global Peace on International Peace Day

The Apollo Model UN Club of the University successfully conducted the Peace Hackathon as part of the International Peace Day observance on 20th September 2025. The event was designed to cultivate creative opinion, association, and analytical behavior among students, while emphasizing the importance of peace in contemporary global contexts.

The program commenced with a formal welcome address, setting the tone for an engaging and intellectually stimulating day. This was followed by an inspiring address by the Chief Guest, Prof. M. Potharaju, Registrar, TAU, who highlighted the role of young innovators in promoting peace and resolving global conflicts. Prof. Potharaju emphasized the significance of collaborative approaches, creativity, and actionable solutions in addressing complex societal issues.

The Hackathon adopted a startup-style competitive format that encouraged student participation and innovation. Participants were divided into groups, each representing a “Peace Startup.” Each team drew:
1.Challenge Card: Representing a global peace-related issue, such as online hate, climate refugees, intolerance, and cross-cultural conflicts.
2.Creative Tool Card: Representing a medium or method to address the challenge, including art, technology, sports, and policy advocacy.

Using these cards, teams brainstormed, strategized, and developed actionable solutions, which they later pitched to the jury in a simulated startup environment. The format promoted interactive learning, teamwork, and public speaking skills, while encouraging students to think critically about the real-world applicability of their ideas.

Students at the Peace Hackathon demonstrated exceptional creative problem-solving by addressing pressing issues such as online hate speech, refugee crises, and societal intolerance, proposing innovative solutions through diverse tools including digital campaigns, artistic expressions, community sports initiatives, and policy recommendations. The interactive and competitive learning environment, with its startup-style presentations and live pitching format, kept participants highly engaged and motivated them to refine their ideas and communicate them effectively. Outstanding teams were recognized and awarded in multiple categories, including Most Innovative Idea, Best Peace Startup, and Future Nobel Idea. Overall, the event emphasized the role of students as proactive change-makers in promoting global peace.
Dr. Sudha Paipuru, Faculty Coordinator of the Apollo Model UN Club, served as the inspiration for conducting the event and guided the students for creating innovative interactions on International Peace Day 2025. The event was also graced by Dr. G. B. Hima Bindu, Deputy Director, ICT, and Mrs. Sangeetha S., Assistant Professor and Faculty Supervisor, who attended and encouraged the participants. The event promoted collaborative spirit, enhanced problem-solving capabilities, and reinforced the ideals of international peace and harmony, making it a memorable observance of International Peace Day 2025 at TAU.