Excerpts from the book UNESCO and a Culture of Peace: Promoting a Global Movement
- "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed.
- The goal of a culture of peace is a world in which the rich diversity of cultures is cause for appreciation and co-operation. A culture of peace is a body of shared values, attitudes and behaviours based on (a) non-violence and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, (b) on understanding, tolerance and solidarity, (c) on the full participation and empowerment of women, and (d) on the sharing and free flow of information. (the 4 fundamental principles)
- Because positive social transformation requires the acquisition of certain values, attitudes and patterns of behaviour, it is a task for teachers and opinion-makers as much as for political leaders.
- ... consider the work of the tens of thousands of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which are the principal point of access for millions of ordinary people to involvement in peace building.
- the UNESCO Culture of Peace Program ("CPP") encourages a caring society that protects the rights of those who are weak, such as children, the handicapped, the elderly and the socially disadvantaged.
- the full participation and empowerment of women is essential to the development of a culture of peace. It was the monopolization of warfare by men that led to the exclusion of women from power. But women's skills of exchange, co-operation and solidarity, as well as their experience of giving birth, bringing up the next generation and managing informal economies, are all essential to the evolution of a culture of peace ... Women, in all societies the transmitters of the history, customs and traditions of their people, are the key to the development of a culture of peace, which cannot be superimposed upon society, but must evolve from it.
- In practice, the key to a culture of peace is the transformation of violent competition into co-operation for shared goals.
- (a Culture of Peace) is linked to: (a) economic security and development; (b) political security and democracy; (c) military security and disarmament; (d) cost-benefit efficiency and economic conversion; and (e) the development of global solidarity.
- construct a new vision of peace by developing a peace culture based on the universal values of respect for life, liberty, justice, solidarity, tolerance, human rights and equality between women and men.
- a movement away from war to peace ... means a transition from societies dominated by the State, sole organizer of security in a dangerous world, to the civil society of everyday life.
- All of these tasks reflect the catalytic role of the Culture of Peace Program. Its role is not to construct a culture of peace by itself, but to initiate and support ongoing, long-term processes in UNESCO and in the framework of a broad social movement. It is expected that this movement will take on a life of its own and become a self-sustaining, irreversible process. This is why the CPP emphasizes 'multiplier processes' such as education, the training and deployment of individual 'peace promoters', and the transformation and development of institutions and organizations.
- The same species that invented war is capable of inventing peace.
- Only a pluralistic, independent and accessible media can ensure the free flow of ideas essential for a culture of peace.
- Cognizant that UNESCO must not keep silent about this problem, the Organization is placing new emphasis on the problem of on-screen violence and its impact, especially on the young.
- The framework recommends including peace, human rights and racial equality in the curricula at all educational levels.
- UNESCO will support a network of schools in violent neighbourhoods of cities where training in mediation and conflict management is an integral part of the curriculum.
- Because unemployment is at the root of much urban violence, another priority of the program is skills training and job placement for students.
- Through the field offices of UNESCO, the Culture of Peace Program operates in every corner of the globe.
- In many countries, National Commissions for UNESCO take the lead in sponsoring culture of peace initiatives. These range from meetings and studies to the establishment of new institutions often concerned with methodologies and applications of conflict resolution.
- National Culture of Peace Programs put the basic concepts of a culture of peace into action at a local level ... are characterized by broad based participation, dialogue and co-operation ... give support to grass-roots initiatives.
- basic finding in social psychology that the most effective method of resolving conflict is to promote co-operation towards a mutual goal.
- it is essential to develop support systems for peace promoters so that they receive regular information and periodic training and encouragement.
- To enable those who have been in conflict to work together, the 'peace promoter' functions as arbitrator, mediator and facilitator to transform their relationship from conflict to co-operation.
- In a culture of peace, parliamentarians in opposing parties work together in the national interest, in a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect.
- The success of national culture of peace programs depends upon funding. It ultimately demands a global reallocation of priorities from military aspects of peace-keeping to a greater emphasis on peace-building.
- Peace-building is a sustained process which addresses the underlying causes of conflict and places peace on a durable foundation. Peace-building puts a priority on non-military endogenous capacity building, the strengthening of democracy and local institutions and the training of local personnel.
- The Associated Schools Project encourages initiatives which pair schools, leading to a summer camp promoting world peace through education for tolerance and understanding.
- Today more than ever before, civil society is experiencing a proliferation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in which individuals can engage in non-violent action for peace and justice. Moreover, with the emerging world communication network, they are increasingly able to link their struggles on a global scale. These are perhaps the most important development in the movement for a culture of peace, because the transition must take place primarily in the minds of individual men and women through a process of action and growth.
- Among the thousands of NGOs working for peace, many are adopting the culture of peace as an explicit priority.
- Increasingly the energy and scope of NGOs is linked directly to the UN, both as a source of ideas and inspiration, and as a powerful multiplier for the universal principles of the organization.
- It is up to young people to take up the task of building and cultivating a culture of peace in the next generation.
- in the past education was designed to make people (men) strong, rich and intelligent, 'in order to dominate and progress at the expense of others'. Today, the very basis of the educational system must change. The principle of strength must be replaced by the principle of mutual help. Everyone must be educated for peace. All must be taught that it is essential to go beyond selfish behaviour and commit ourselves to the development of others, to justice and to establish amicable relations between human beings.
- Albert Einstein said "Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."
- Simply stopping the fighting or bringing hostile groups together is not enough. Rather, hostile groups must be encouraged to work together on shared goals.
- Citizens, if supported by international networking, can play a key role in peace-building.
- a faith that peace is not only desirable but possible.
- The culture of peace is both a process and a vision ... In this vision, the determining factor in history can become the social consciousness of the people themselves ... every aspect of social relations can be affected, from the relations between nations to those between women and men.
- In moving from a culture of war to a culture of peace, every aspect of social relations and every person, from the centres of power to the most remote villages, may be engaged and transformed.
- The UNESCO program is dedicated to the free flow of information among all parts of the movement. To facilitate this flow, it is developing a database and networking system.
- Despite the range of imaginative activities already undertaken to establish a culture of peace, securing funding for peace-building remains a formidable task."
For a major summary taken from the book "UNESCO and a Culture of Peace" refer to UNESCO Culture of Peace Program page.