IS
PEACE ACHIEVABLE? WHAT IS THE FORMULA FOR PEACE? IS
PEACE ACHIEVABLE? WHAT IS THE FORMULA FOR PEACE?
Table of Contents:
The Experts Report on Peace - The Seville Statement on Violence (1986)
The Peace Formula
The Problem Is Motivation
Leadership
Civil
Society
Conclusion:
National Culture of Peace Program
Transforming the World
Individuals and Communities Transforming Together
Notes
Appendix
In 1996, when I started my journey
to peace, a major question on my mind was: "Is peace achievable?". Have any
experts reported one way or another on this key issue? I asked this because it could
affect my motivation, and others. A second important question was: "What is the
formula for peace?" I wished to do something to help advance the cause of peace and
hence I had to know where to start.
It is not easy for an average citizen to find the answers, the writings and opinions on
peace are very diverse and complex. However I am very happy to report that the
answer is positive. Much expert research has been done (referenced throughout this
document). Peace is achievable. Further, while there is no magic
'bullet' or formula, the intelligence exists in the world that we (the world) know what
needs to be done. We currently have the knowledge, technology and infrastructure
to achieve peace. The problem is motivation (and time). This I will explain.
The Experts Report on Peace - The Seville Statement on Violence
(1986)
Based on rigorous scientific evidence, the Seville Statement (Note 1)
refutes the myth that human beings are predisposed to violence through five key
propositions. "It is scientifically incorrect to say:
I am satisfied, particularly from all the evidence reported by UNESCO's Culture
of Peace Program (Note 2) and also from extensive research of the
large volume of resource material (Note 3), that peace is
achievable.
What, then, is the formula for peace? The following variables must be in place:
1. A credible government(s) code of ethics, with a basis in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (Note 4). In simple terms, of the things
they think, say or do, government(s) must be able to be relied upon to be truthful, fair,
build good will and better relationships, and strive for the benefit of all concerned. The
same ethics should be expected of governments, corporations and other organizations as are
expected of individuals. Do as you would have done to you. At the same time, a Universal
Declaration of Human Responsibilities should also provide suitable guidance (Note 5).
2. An international system of justice. Without justice there can be no
peace. Every nation has instituted a criminal and civil court system to get the brawls off
the street and into the courtroom, to be resolved in what should be perceived as a fair
and reasonable manner. It is not hard to imagine that an international system of justice
is necessary for crimes against humanity, world environment and other international
matters. At the same time, there must be a reliable, and I should add proactive, Conflict
and Dispute Resolution System for parties who are willing to voluntarily work together to
a solution, to avoid the necessity of going to court and most importantly to avoid
conflict. These are sensitive roles, reliant on moral suasion (among other things), so as
not to usurp national jurisdictions. (Note 6)
3. A global sustainable economy. There must be a proper economy
to provide reasonable employment and eradicate poverty and hunger. Nobel Prize winner
Amartya Sen has shown us how systematic public action can eradicate the terrible and
resilient problems of starvation and hunger in the world in which we live (Note 7). However, the economy must also be in balance with this small
planet's ecology. This is probably the most difficult challenge - all other elements of
the peace formula are relatively straight forward. The Union of Concerned Scientists
(amongst others) has issued a Warning to All of Humanity to change habits lest our planet
Earth be irreversibly mutilated. "A great change in our stewardship of the earth and
the life on it, is required, if vast human misery is to be avoided and our global home on
this planet is not to be irretrievably mutilated." The Warning is signed by thousands
of senior Scientists around the world, among them more than 100 Nobel Laureates. (Notes 8 and 9). It will take only co-ordinated
action at the world level to achieve this 'mission critical goal'. As "no man is an
island", in this respect, no individual nation can remain disconnected from the rest
of the world.
4. Universal access to competent education systems. This principle is
basic and simple to understand. It is included in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights for good reason. Particularly, the education of women is key to both economic and
peace developments. "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." Further, "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." As Albert Einstein said
"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding." (Note 10)
5. A compassionate health and welfare system. This principle is also
basic and simple to understand. It is also included in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Within a framework of universal human rights and responsibilities, the more
privileged have a humanitarian responsibility to help the under-privileged.
These (measurable and hence manageable) factors are in place to varying degrees in every
Nation. Every nation's level of internal (and often external) peacefulness is a result of
the strength of these factors. By extension, the world's level of peacefulness is a result
of the strength of these factors. Strengthen these factors and the world becomes more
peaceful. Peace, and the formula for peace, is measurable and manageable. What we have,
therefore, is a management or leadership challenge.
The Problem Is Motivation
Peace is achievable. Further, the formula to achieve peace is known. We currently have the
knowledge, technology and infrastructure to achieve peace. So what is the problem? Motivation.
(Note
17) World leaders have not been motivated to
work together in co-operation to achieve world peace (hence a management or leadership
problem). And the world's populace have not been motivated to motivate their political
leaders (a civic problem). We can, and should, approach this from the top down, and from
the bottom up.
Leadership
From the top down, all the research is overwhelmingly in support of a new world order.
This planet, in the past century, has become too small and its limitations too apparent to
not realize that the world's populace must act together. Never before have we been so
dependent on each other. It is inescapable. We have a global problem that will require a
global solution. This will take leadership at a global level that we all will follow. The
United Nations is well placed to provide this leadership. However, the United Nations
would have to be reformed to undertake this honorous responsibility (Note
11).
Further, and this will be difficult (but not insurmountable), current national foreign
policies must change. For example, "Social justice, as a goal urged by the United
Nations, refers to striving for equality between entire peoples; that is a global attack
on global poverty. Such an attack cannot be launched without radically changing the
current trade patterns and financial arrangements between the affluent and impoverished
worlds. It cannot be launched without expressly disavowing national policies of the sort
proposed shortly after World War II by an advisor to the U.S. government, George F.
Kennan. He was also the first to formulate the so called "containment strategy",
which dominated U.S. foreign policy for almost a half century. I quote: 'we have about 50%
of the world's wealth, but only about 6.3% of its population. In this situation we cannot
fail to be the object of envy and resentment. Our real task in the coming period is to
devise a pattern of relationships which will permit us to maintain this position of
disparity without detriment to our national security... We need not deceive ourselves that
we can afford ... the luxury of altruism ... We should cease to talk about ... unreal
objectives such as human rights, the rising of living standards and democratization. The
day is not far off when we are going to deal in straight power concepts.' " (Note 12) Haunting words in light of recent conflicts with Iraq.
Furthermore, in a recent article in Foreign Affairs entitled "Saving the
UN", U.S. Senator Jesse Helms writes:
"As it currently operates, the United Nations does not deserve continued American support... [[it] is being transformed from an institution of sovereign nations into a quasi-sovereign entity in itself. The transformation represents an obvious threat to U.S. national interests.. This situation is untenable. The United Nations was originally created to help nation-states facilitate the peaceful resolution of international disputes. However, the United Nations has moved from facilitating diplomacy among nation-states to supplanting them altogether. Boutros Ghali has said as much. In his Agenda for Peace. he declared... "The time of absolute and exclusive sovereignty ... has passed. Its theory has never matched reality ..." Such thinking is -in step with the nearly global movement toward greater centralization of political power ... This process must be stopped ... U.N. reform is much more than saving money. It is about preventing unelected bureaucrats from acquiring ever greater powers at the expense of elected national leaders. It is about restoring the legitimacy of the nation-state ... the UN bureaucracy mistakenly believes that caring for the needs of all the world's people is . . its job.... There must be a termination of unnecessary committees and conferences ... In addition to wasteful conferences like the Beijing women's summit, ... the United Nations continually sponsors workshops, expert consultations, technical consultations, and panel discussions.... Most of these can be terminated at a savings of millions of dollars . . The time has come for the United States to deliver an ultimatum: Either the United Nations reforms, quickly and dramatically, or the United States will end its participation.... Withholding U.S. contributions has not worked. In 1986 Congress passed the Kassebaum-Solomon bill, which said to the United Nations in clear and unmistakable terms, reform or die. The time has come for it to do one or the other." (Note 12)
As Henry Kissinger puts it succinctly, "Empires have no interest in
operating within an international system; they aspire to be the international system
..."
Reform it must, for if the United Nations dies then the globe and everyone on it will be
at tremendous risk. Only the rich and powerful may prosper, but this is shortsighted and
they too will be seriously affected. Most certainly, the masses of poor and even middle
class may perish at higher rates. The only foreseeable alternative might be for a
superpower such as the United States playing the role of benevolent dictator - something
that is unlikely to be acceptable. Although the globe is not at the brink yet, warnings
are that we may be there within fifty years more or less, and it is timely for our world
leaders to make a choice now. (Notes 13 and 14)
Civil Society
From the bottom up, "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 (Note 15). 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 also up to young people to take up the task of building and
cultivating a culture of peace in the next generation. Citizens, if supported by
international networking, can play a key role in peace-building.
Finally, citizens must have a faith that peace is not only desirable but possible." (Note 16) My purpose here is to try to show that peace is desirable and
possible. Each of us must decide if we are part of the problem, or part of the solution. The
world is dangerous not because of those who do harm, but because of those who look at it
without doing anything.
Conclusion
In 1996, when I started my journey to peace, I simply wanted to do something to build
peace in our communities and world. I was particularly concerned about the levels of
violence in our communities and the potential impacts upon my family, and a fear that
government at its current rate was insufficient in dealing with it. For me, and many like
me, peace starts at home and in my own country - 'think globally, act locally' is the
current maxim. That journey has led me all over the world.
I have learned that peace at the individual, family, community and world levels are
inter-related, and a natural progression. I have learned about the power of one person,
with a conviction, to make a difference in our communities and world. I have developed a
web site in my constant challenge to simplify and focus the complex problem of peace. I
have learned that peace is complex because of convergence with many other factors of which
I have read: human rights and responsibilities, racism and tolerance, religion and
spirituality, social justice and democracy, education for employment and peaceful life
skills, the links between masculinity and violence, the links between women and peace, a
culture of peace vs. a culture of violence, sustainable economy vs. rampant capitalism,
poverty and hunger, world order, disarmament, nuclear proliferation, national foreign
policies, the ecology of our small planet Earth.
I do not consider myself an expert on Peace. I am not an academic. I am not a
political leader or skilled in foreign policy. I am a simple person who wants to do
something to build peace in our communities and world. I am certain that, if we polled the
world's populace, an overwhelming majority would support building peace in our communities
and world, and much more strongly than what our political leaders currently are. I
believe, in this respect, I am representative of the world's populace, which makes my
message important. So here is my simple prescription, as recommended by
the UNESCO Culture of Peace Program:
Initiate a National Culture of Peace Program in as many countries as possible, as
soon as possible.
National Culture of Peace Program
The essence of a Culture of Peace Program is to address the roots of the problem as a
common cause, to the benefit of everyone without diminishing any other. Education is the
principal means to build a Culture of Peace. Details of what is involved in setting up a
Culture of Peace Program are contained in the Consolidated Report to the UN contained in
the note reference, and the Evaluation Report, and summarized in Appendix 1. The start
would be for the appropriate agency (I understand in this case it would be the Canadian
Commission for UNESCO) to initiate a Federal Government Cabinet Submission for a
declaration by the Government of Canada to make a Culture of Peace a priority for the
entire country, backed up with a proposed Action Plan tailored from the UNESCO materials
(and hopefully with input from major stakeholders such as the Department of Foreign
Affairs, Canadian Peacebuilding Coordinating Committee, NGOs, etc.) If this were timed to
coincide with the the U.N. International Year of a Culture of Peace in 2000 it would be a
perfect and fitting event.
Canada currently has a culture of violence - not as bad as many countries, but a culture
of violence nonetheless. Canada needs a National Culture of Peace Program. Think globally
and act locally. This is not something for other people - this is US: you and me. How can
we promote this to others if we do not adopt it ourselves? This is in Canada's best
interests. This is in your, my and, most importantly, our children's best interest. Is
this not the direction we should give our political leaders, and hold them accountable?
Currently, the majority of Canadians have no idea what is going on in this country with
respect to peace and non-violence. As an individual, it was very difficult for me to find
out. A National Culture of Peace Program would raise the profile, mobilizing resources,
organizations and public opinion. It will put our work on a fast track, and focus it on a
common objective or worthwhile cause. It will include action to support participatory
communications, networking and the free flow and sharing of information and knowledge.
Education is the principal means to build a Culture of Peace, and hence action would be
taken to develop education, training, and research for peace and non-violence. Ultimately,
informed voters can provide direction to our leaders motivating them to take the necessary
action to build peace in our communities and world. Canada could then provide a working
model to others and speak from experience. All of this is complimentary to recent
references to the Canadian Government's soft diplomacy efforts and should be well
received. It will not be easy - it will be a lot of work - but it is the plan that makes
the most sense today.
Transforming the World
For the UNESCO Culture of Peace Program to really succeed, a major Western government and
G7 member is needed to promote it at the UN. To date it appears that these major
governments feel that a Culture of Peace is for other countries - conflict torn countries
- not us. The difficulty of our task is evident by the fact that virtually no one in
Canada and the United States has any awareness of this program, including most peace
activists; and that the responsible government agencies seem to be under-resourced.
While technically peace is achievable, the problem is motivation (and time). If Canada
(and the world) does not adopt a Culture of Peace Program, then voters will remain
uninformed and will not provide the needed direction to our leaders who will remain
unmotivated to take the often difficult but necessary action to achieve peace in our
communities and world. The real and present danger is that Peace will not happen the way
we are going now. I feel for current victims of violence in our communities and world who
I can not help, but I fear even moreso for future generations.
On the other hand, however, if the majority of the world adhere's to UNESCO's Culture of
Peace Program (and it will benefit with dialogue and evolution), the world will be a much
better place and mankind will evolve to a much higher level. To do otherwise carries great
risk.
Individuals and Communities Transforming Together
Finally, suitably tailored, the Formula For Peace above (i.e. a credible government code
of ethics, a fair system of justice, a sustainable economy, access to competent education
systems, and a compassionate health and welfare system) applies equally to building peace
at the individual, family, community, national and world levels. Where before, in my
relatively comfortable life, I may have been able to turn a blind eye to the violence
taking place around me in our communities and world, I have now concluded that it is
urgent to implement this Formula. After all, the world is my community.
It is particularly up to those of us individuals, communities and nations that are
relatively prosperous to take responsibility for change - the poor and distressed are not
able. As the World's Scientists have warned us, during our children's lifetime
"A great change in our stewardship of the earth and the life on it, is required, if
vast human misery is to be avoided and our global home on this planet is not to be
irretrievably mutilated." We are the stewards.
Responses welcome to stewartr [at] peace.ca
Robert Stewart, C.A., C.M.C.
Director, Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace
Read the proposed "NATIONAL CULTURE OF PEACE PROGRAM FOR CANADA".
Notes
These references contain a wealth of information and readers are urged to read them in
your personal voyages to peace and world understanding.
1. The Seville Statement was excerpted from "UNESCO and a
Culture of Peace: Promoting a Global Movement", UNESCO Publishing, ISBN
92-3-103391-3. Ordering information - http://www.unesco.org/general/eng/publish/order.html
2. UNESCO Culture of Peace Program Web references:
http://www.unesco.org/cpp
http://www.unesco.org/cpp/uk/leaflet/leaflet.html
3. the large volume of resource material referred to is referenced on the Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace web site at http://www.peace.ca
4. See http://www.udhr50.org/UDHR/default.htm for the full text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
5. Work that has been undertaken along the lines of a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities can be found at Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities Proposed by the InterAction Council http://www.asiawide.or.jp/iac/Declara1/EngDecl1.htm#RESPONSIBILITIES - CITIZENS' PUBLIC TRUST TREATY, A TREATY OF ETHICS, EQUITY AND ECOLOGY, A PROPOSED United Nations General Assembly Resolution, http://www.gn.apc.org/negreens/cptt.htm
6. To learn more about the International (World) Court, refer to the United Nations International Crime Court web site http://www.un.org/icc; the NGO Coalition site http://www.igc.org/icc
7. The Hunger Project is committed to the end of hunger (http://www.thp.org). Public Action To Remedy Hunger, by Amartya Sen can be read at http://www.thp.org/reports/sen/sen890.htm
8. The full text of the Warning to All of Humanity can be read at http://www.pgs.ca/pages/mem/warning.htm
9. A well researched web site by Jay Hanson explains his claim that "Our civilization is dying from "system" problems; problems such as the population explosion, natural resource depletion, and war. Problems which have no technical solutions. Moreover, our system problems have no current political solutions. If there is any hope at all, it is that people will come to understand the key systems in their world and then find the courage to make the hard decisions necessary for survival. We must find political means to abandon the competitive, consumptive social system -- or we shall perish." To read about a World Systems Crash Scenario visit http://dieoff.org/ Also refer to the attached article, Oil Prices: They are no surprise by Mike Nickerson.
10. Excerpted from "UNESCO and a Culture of Peace: Promoting a Global Movement", UNESCO Publishing, ISBN 92-3-103391-3. Ordering information - http://www.unesco.org/general/eng/publish/order.html
11. The United Nations in the Twentyfirst Century: A Vision for an Evolving World Order, A. Walter Dorn, University of Toronto (March, 1998) http://www.pgs.ca/woc/wdun2198.htm
12. Excerpted from Conceptions of World Order by Anatol
Rapoport http://www.pgs.ca/woc/rapoport.htm
13. To learn more about the United Nations visit http://www.un.org
14. For clarification, the writer supports a well-supported,
democratic United Nations to lead world issues.
15. The Preamble to UNESCO's mandate states: "Since
wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must
be constructed".
16. Excerpted from "UNESCO and a Culture of Peace: Promoting a
Global Movement", UNESCO Publishing, ISBN 92-3-103391-3. Ordering information - http://www.unesco.org/general/eng/publish/order.html
17. The Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly
Conflict http://www.ccpdc.org/ recently reported: 1.
deadly conflict is not inevitable; 2. the need to prevent deadly conflict is increasingly
urgent; and 3. preventing deadly conflict is possible. 'The problem is not that we
do not know ... it is often that we do not act.'
APPENDIX 1 - WHAT ARE SOME OF THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF A NATIONAL CULTURE OF PEACE PROGRAM?
- a declaration by the national government (provinces, and municipalities) to
make a culture of peace a priority for the entire country
- attainment of a Culture of Peace will benefit everyone, without diminishing any other
- mobilize public opinion for a Culture of Peace: communications, information management,
media (eg. web sites, email list server, newsletters, etc.)
- central role by the national government in its realization
- role in the transformation for other governments (eg. provinces, municipalities);
authorities; educational, cultural and other institutions; NGOs; and civil society (i.e.
partnership)
- as per Article 3 of the Draft Declaration on a Culture of Peace (Note), a Culture of
Peace aims at:
- mobilization of resources (money, human resources, information resources) in
support of a Culture of Peace;
- education is the principal means to build a Culture of Peace. Every aspect of education
should be mobilized towards this end.
- mobilization of conflict resolution resources (eg. ombudsman and/or commissioners for
human rights and Culture of Peace; code of ethics/conduct for governments, etc; at the
national, provincial, municipal levels)
- actions to promote respect for human rights;
- actions to develop education, training, and research for peace and non-violence;
- actions to implement sustainable human development for all;
- actions to foster democratic participation;
- actions to ensure equality between women and men;
- actions to support participatory communication and the free flow and sharing of
information and knowledge;
- actions to advance understanding, tolerance, solidarity among all peoples and cultures;
- coordination with actions for international peace and security.
Note - This Appendix is a highly summarized version of the "Consolidated Report to
the United Nations on A Culture of Peace" submitted by UNESCO to the UN September
1998 at the following location (it is an Adobe document for reading or downloading) 5 Star
Must Read Rating. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001130/113034e.pdf
Read the proposed "NATIONAL CULTURE OF PEACE PROGRAM FOR CANADA". and
Canadian
Culture of Peace Program Announcement November 23, 2004. 
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