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Patrick Nickisch

Patrick Nickisch, a 25 year old Gaudiya Vaishnavite (Hindu), was born and grew up in Cologne, Germany. After finishing high school, he joined the Hare Krishna movement and entered a training time in the monastic order for several years, going on pilgrimages to India several times, living in ashrams, and receiving spiritual instruction of the Vaishnava faith, a monotheistic Hindu tradition. After graduate studies in Vaishnava theology in Belgium, he is presently continuing with a postgraduate program in religious studies with a focus on world religions, religious experience and dialogue. His official interfaith engagement as a Hindu representative started in November 2007 in Belgium where Religions for Peace launched a national council in Brussels. Afterwards, he joined Religions for Peace in his hometown in Cologne and was active on various occasions as a Vaishnava-Hindu speaker. He got in contact with URI at ISKCON's headquarters in Mayapur, India, during the URI Global Assembly via its Young Leaders Program which inspired him to dedicate more work and service to the URI afterwards. He became a member of the URI European Executive Committee in Spring 2009, also to increase youth presence on the Board. In a similar capacity, he participated in two of the URI President's Council satellite meetings on communications and growth which proved very insightful and educational. Hoping that these services for the URI community can increase significantly through the Youth Ambassador program, Patrick is looking forward to further the aims of URI by working with the other ambassadors and all of those who want to support the participation of youth in making a difference in the world, toward a culture of healing, justice and peace.