Manifesto 2000
The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed the year 2000 the "International Year for the Culture of Peace". A group of Nobel Prize Peace Laureates drafted MANIFESTO 2000 (copy below) on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For more information, refer to the UNESCO Culture of Peace web site at http://www.unesco.org/cpp. (See also YEAR 2000 UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE section of our website)
Manifesto 2000: Peace is in our hands
Join the international movement for the culture of peace and non-violence:
a.. Because the year 2000 must be a new beginning, an opportunity to transform -
all together - the culture of war and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence.
b.. Because this transformation demands the participation of each and every one of
us, and must offer young people and future generations the values that can inspire them to
shape a world based on justice, solidarity, liberty, dignity, harmony and prosperity for
all.
c.. Because the culture of peace can underpin sustainable development,
environmental protection and the well-being of each person.
d.. Because I am aware of my share of responsibility for the future of humanity, in
particular to the children of today and tomorrow.
I PLEDGE IN MY DAILY LIFE, IN MY FAMILY, MY WORK, MY COMMUNITY, MY COUNTRY AND MY REGION,
TO:
1. "Respect all life." Respect the life and dignity of each human being
without discrimination or prejudice.
2. "Reject violence." Practise active non-violence, rejecting violence in
all its forms: physical, sexual, psychological, economical and social, in particular
towards the most deprived and vulnerable such as children and adolescents.
3. "Share with others." Share my time and material resources in a spirit
of generosity to put an end to exclusion, injustice and political and economic oppression.
4. "Listen to understand." Defend freedom of expression and cultural
diversity, giving preference always to dialogue and listening without engaging in
fanaticism, defamation and the rejection of others.
5. "Preserve the planet." Promote consumer behaviour that is responsible
and development practices that respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of
nature on the planet.
6. "Rediscover solidarity." Contribute to the development of my community,
with the full participation of women and respect for democratic principles, in order to
create together new forms of solidarity.
Sign MANIFESTO 2000 on the Internet at http://www.unesco.org/manifesto2000