From correspondents in Brussels, Belgium, 12:31 PM IST

The European parliament got a taste of Indian spirituality with the Art of Living Foundation's corporate workshop for the benefit of global businessmen here.

'Devoid of spirituality, religion breeds terrorism, business breeds greed and exploitation, politics breeds corruption and sports and entertainment turns into stress,' said Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar here Friday at the inauguration of the 'Corporate Culture and Spirituality 2006' course.

'Spirituality will liberalise politics, socialise business and secularise religion,' he added.

'If business can ensure that values are maintained in society, then nothing else can take it away. Ethical values in business can help people become socially responsible,' he said.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Belgian Senator John Marie Edeker, member of European parliament Erika Mann, former prime minister of Netherlands Rudd Lubers and musician Peter Mafay.

This is the first time such an event was held at the European parliament, which has offered to host the symposium next year also.

The first Ethics Award for Global Governance, instituted by the 'Corporate Culture and Spirituality' organisers, was presented to the Tata Group. T.R. Doongarji, the managing director of Tata Services, received the award on the group's behalf.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)