Message from
CMS FOUNDER-DIRECTOR

For a quarter of a century, the International Conference of Chief Justices of the World (ICCJW) has stood as a beacon of hope and dialogue, inspired by the vision of my late husband, Dr Jagdish Gandhi. Since its inception in 2001, this conference has grown into a vital global forum, uniting 1,520 Chief Justices and Judges from 142 countries, alongside esteemed Heads of States and Governments. Together, they have deliberated on one of humanity’s most pressing needs: a just, peaceful, and sustainable world order rooted in enforceable international law.

Dr Jagdish Gandhi believed that the world’s judiciary represents the conscience of humanity. His dream was not merely to educate children, but to empower them as global citizens. This vision finds resonance in the achievements of our alumni, such as Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla (Shux), who, as the first Indian aboard the International Space Station in 2025, spoke powerfully of a borderless world. For over two decades, the ICCJW has provided our students with an unparalleled platform to engage with global thought leaders, shaping their perspectives and nurturing their roles as future peacebuilders.

CMS’s commitment to peace is not confined to the global stage. In December 1992, when communal violence threatened to engulf Lucknow following the Babri Masjid demolition, it was CMS’s decades-long groundwork in peace education that helped shield our city. By bringing together religious leaders and communities in prayer and dialogue, we helped prevent riots in Lucknow, even as unrest spread across the nation. This local impact, documented by the Oxford Research Group, reflects the same ethos that earned CMS the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education and Guinness World Record recognition.

As we convene for the 26th edition of this historic conference, we reaffirm our resolve to build a safer, more united world—for our children and for generations yet unborn.