Sonia Deotto

Sonia Deotto is an Italian social artist and research fellow affiliated with the UNESCO Global Education Chair at the University of Valencia. She specializes in peacebuilding through artistic expression and cross-cultural dialogue.

Her primary research areas include:

• Non-violence (Ahimsa) and Gandhian philosophy
• Mandala as universal archetype for peace
• Art-based community engagement
• Interfaith collaboration
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Global peace education

Deotto developed the OraWorldMandala (OWM) project through participatory research with religious communities in India (1999) and indigenous groups in Mexico (2001). This evolved into a global movement after she integrated Ahimsa principles learned under Ravindra Varma (former Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith) during 2004 training.

Her notable recognition includes:

• Recipient of International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Outside India (2019)

Her work bridges artistic practice with peace studies, creating transcontinental connections through creative expression while promoting non-violent communication across cultural boundaries.