Matthew travelled almost 8,400 miles in one weekend to attend the The Art of Living’s World Culture Festival in Dehli. Spanning three days, the festival was attended by approximately 3.5 million people from 160 different countries. Contributions came from world leaders including the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shanka, the spiritual leader and founder of The Art of Living, Matthew was delighted to address the Festival and took the opportunity to invite Ravi Shanka to the Houses of Parliament when he visits the UK in June. Matthew also read a message of support from David Cameron congratulating The Art of Living on its 35th anniversary.

Spread over a venue of 1000 acres, the 2016 World Culture Festival - which celebrated the diversity in cultures from across the world while simultaneously highlighting our unity as a human family - was one of the biggest cultural gatherings in recent times and was attended by a number of constituents from Hendon.

The event witnessed thousands of dancers, musicians, religious leaders, politicians and people from all walks of life who came together to celebrate the diversity of the world.

Matthew also attended and spoke as a panel member of the Global Leadership Forum, held in conjunction with the World Culture Festival. He delivered a speech on how a shrinking world is compelling leaders of business and politics to anticipate trends that link interdependencies in economies and societies.

Matthew said: “The weekend’s event was an exhausting but incredible experience. Considering that I was able to attend such an occasion in less than three days shows how globalization is massively affecting the World. Witnessing incredible displays of music and dancing by thousands of people from around the globe was fascinating but to be able to address the millions of people present was a real honour.”