US Servas | Key Person Workshop Report

UN Reports |

Autumn 2002 II

US Servas participates in International Decade for a Culture of Peace 2000–2010

By Sharon L. Wallenberg, Main US Servas UN Rep

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

What is a Culture of Peace? As defined by the United Nations (1998, Resolution A/RES/52/13), the Culture of Peace consists of values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations. The UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (1999, Resolution A/53/243) stakes out eight areas for actors at local, national and international levels that call for:

Fostering a culture of Peace through education by revising the educational curricula to promote qualitative values, attitudes and behaviors of a culture of peace, including peaceful conflict-resolution, dialogue, consensus-building and active non-violence. Such an educational approach should be geared also to:
Promoting sustainable economic and social development by reducing economic and social injustices by eradicating poverty and by assuring sustainable food security, social justice, durable solutions to debt problems, empowerment of women, special measures for groups with special needs, and environmental sustainability.
Promoting respect for all human rights. Human rights and a culture of peace are complimentary: whenever war and violence dominate, there is no possibility to ensure human rights. At the same time, without human rights, in all their dementions, there can be no culture of peace.
Ensuring equality between women and men through full participation of women in economic, social and political decision-making, elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women, and support and assistance to women in need.
Fostering democratic participation.
Advancing understanding, tolerance and solidarity.
Supporting participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge.
Promoting international peace and security.

Today more than ever we need to reinforce our efforts to build collectively and at all levels a Culture of Peace. A global movement for a culture of peace was initiated by the United Nations to create a “grand alliance” of existing movements that unites all those already working for a culture of peace. UNESCO has developed an interactive web site allowing all to exchange information and resources. United States Servas will be participating in the UNESCO Millennium Exhibit on this with The Ribbon International. For more information visit: http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/

For more information about US Servas' UN activities or to get involved, contact the main US Servas UN Rep, Sharon Wallenberg at sharonw77@hotmail.com.


UN Reports \| Autumn 2002 II US Servas participates in International Decade for a Culture of Peace 2000–2010 By Sharon L. Wallenberg, Main US Servas UN Rep “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution 1945 What is a Culture of Peace? As defined by the United Nations (1998, Resolution A/RES/52/13), the Culture of Peace consists of values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations. The UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (1999, Resolution A/53/243) stakes out eight areas for actors at local, national and international levels that call for: Fostering a culture of Peace through education by revising the educational curricula to promote qualitative values, attitudes and behaviors of a culture of peace, including peaceful conflict-resolution, dialogue, consensus-building and active non-violence. Such an educational approach should be geared also to: Promoting sustainable economic and social development by reducing economic and social injustices by eradicating poverty and by assuring sustainable food security, social justice, durable solutions to debt problems, empowerment of women, special measures for groups with special needs, and environmental sustainability. Promoting respect for all human rights. Human rights and a culture of peace are complimentary: whenever war and violence dominate, there is no possibility to ensure human rights. At the same time, without human rights, in all their dementions, there can be no culture of peace. Ensuring equality between women and men through full participation of women in economic, social and political decision-making, elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women, and support and assistance to women in need. Fostering democratic participation. Advancing understanding, tolerance and solidarity. Supporting participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge. Promoting international peace and security. Today more than ever we need to reinforce our efforts to build collectively and at all levels a Culture of Peace. A global movement for a culture of peace was initiated by the United Nations to create a “grand alliance” of existing movements that unites all those already working for a culture of peace. UNESCO has developed an interactive web site allowing all to exchange information and resources. United States Servas will be participating in the UNESCO Millennium Exhibit on this with The Ribbon International. For more information visit: http://www3.unesco.org/iycp/ For more information about US Servas' UN activities or to get involved, contact the main US Servas UN Rep, Sharon Wallenberg at sharonw77@hotmail.com.
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