Culture of Peace

The International Day of Peace

“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.” Constitution of UNESCO, 1945

During the International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men, held in Cote d’Ivoire in 1989, congress members began to develop ideas for creating a ‘Culture of Peace’. This overarching concept aimed at fostering a world environment in which the objectives of the United Nations could be implemented successfully by NGOs and advocates alike. Keeping close to the aims of UNESCO, a Culture of Peace is a set of values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes. Problems are solved through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations.

In 1994, El Salvador hosted the first International Forum on the Culture of Peace and later in 1999, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. This Declaration defined eight action areas to be linked through the concept of a culture of peace and non-violence into a single coherent approach. The eight areas of (A/RES/53/243) are:

to foster a culture of peace through education

to promote sustainable economic and social development

to promote respect for all human rights

to ensure equality between women and men

to foster democratic participation

to advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity

to support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge

to promote international peace and security

VIVAT International is committed to creating, promoting and advancing a Culture of Peace. This commitment is visible in all aspects of VIVAT’s work, from advocating (for) the eradication of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development (,) to a dedication to the protection and advancement of women, children, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable populations.

RESOURCES:

UNESCO

UNESCO website, CoP overview

UNESCO website, CoP details, links, documents, info

Culture of Peace Initiative

Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI)

Pathways to Peace

International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace

International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010

Nuclear Disarmament and NP

UNODA – United Nations office for disarmament Affairs

Disarm for Peace and Human Needs

UNIDIR – United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research

UN Documents

International decade for a culture of peace and non-violence for the children of the world (2001-2010)

UN Resolution for a Culture of Peace

Declaration and Program of Action on a Culture of Peace

HOW CAN I HELP?

Learn about peacebuilding and the ways in which you can contribute to it.

Incorporate the values of a Culture of Peace into your daily life and interactions.

Teach others about peacebuilding, the Culture of Peace and the ways in which we can achieve it.

Sign petitions encouraging nuclear disarmament and other peacebuilding initiatives.

Send letters to your local, national and international politicians encouraging them to enact or support legislation contributing to the overarching goals of peacebuilding and a Culture of Peace.

Participate in peacebuilding events such as

International Conference for a Nuclear Free, Peaceful, Just and Sustainable World April 30-May 1