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Encourages international peace and universal respect by promoting collaboration among nations.
In its rich diversity, culture has intrinsic value for development as well as social cohesion and peace.
Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only in respect of economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the seven culture conventions, which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development.
At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity – in particular through innovative use of media and ICTs – are conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect and mutual understanding.
The promotion of cultural diversity – the "common humanity heritage" according to the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, 2001 – and its corollary dialogue, has become one of the most pressing contemporary issues and, for this reason, is central to the Organization’s mandate.
Placing culture at the heart of development policy constitutes an essential investment in the world's future and a pre-condition to successful globalization processes that take into account the principles of cultural diversity. It is UNESCO's mission to remind all States of this major issue.
As demonstrated by the failure of certain projects underway since the 1970s, development is not synonymous with economic growth alone. It is a means to achieve a more satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual existence. As such, development is inseparable from culture. Strengthening the contribution of culture to sustainable development is a goal that was launched in connection with the World Decade for Cultural Development (1988-1998). Ever since, progress has been made thanks to a corpus of standard-setting instruments and demonstration tools such as cultural statistics, inventories, regional and national mapping of cultural resources.
In this regard, the major challenge is to convince political decision-makers and local, national and international social actors to integrating the principles of cultural diversity and the values of cultural pluralism into all public policies, mechanisms and practices, particularly through public/private partnerships.
This strategy will aim, on the one hand, at incorporating culture into all development policies, be they related to education, science, communication, health, environment or tourism and, on the other hand, at supporting the development of the cultural sector through creative industries. By contributing in this way to poverty alleviation, culture offers important benefits in terms of social cohesion.
and
YOUTH FOR CULTURE OF PEACE
for the
International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)
www.Decade-Culture-of-Peace.org
The World Civil Society Report on the Culture of Peace (2005) has now been joined by a new report, Youth for Culture of Peace (2006). Youth from 475 organizations in 125 countries responded to the question of what they would do for a culture of peace if they had funding. As you can see from the attached report, they provide a wealth of ideas, showing that they are ready to change the world from culture of war to culture of peace. The report proposes the establishment of a Global Youth Solidarity Fund and Programme.
The culture of peace is advancing, according to the 2005 World Civil Society Report. This is the conclusion from information submitted by 700 organizations throughout the world available on the information board for the Decade report. A summary report, shown here, has been has been received and commended at the plenary session of the UN General Assembly devoted to the midpoint of the culture of peace decade that took place on October 20, 2005. Printable PDF versions are also available for the summary report and for a book containing the summary report, introductions, participating organizations, and relevant UN resolutions.
Both the Youth Report (2006) and the Civil Society Report (2005) were presented to United Nations ambassadors by the 2006 Youth Advocacy Team, and their report is now available here.
The World Report was taken note of in the culture of peace resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 2005, and was specifically recognized by Bangladesh, the European Union, Qatar, Fiji and Thailand in their statements during the 2005 plenary debate for the midterm of the Decade. The recognition, no doubt, was due to the remarkable efforts of a 2005 Youth Advocacy Team that distributed and discussed the Report at UN missions during the weeks prior to the debate.
The World Civil Society Report provides the first comprehensive view of the progress of the global movement for a culture of peace, since it was called for in 1999 by United Nations Resolution A/53/243. The assessments of progress and obstacles are summarized by region: International NGOs (two pages), Africa, Arab States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. There is also a two-page summary of advice to the United Nations from participating organizations which addresses all eight programme areas for the culture of peace in United Nations Resolution A/53/243.
You are invited to send in news articles published in the mass media about events and initiatives contributing to the global movement for the culture of peace in any of its components: peace education, sustainable development, equality of women and men, human rights, democratic participation, understanding, tolerance and solidarity, free flow of information and international peace and security. Please register on the News Information Board, or simply go to the News Board to read recent news from around the world.
Information about media reports is especially important because the advance of the culture of peace has come despite almost total neglect from the mass media, according to most accounts from all regions. Therefore, it is important that during the second half of the decade, we can ensure that news of the global movement for a culture of peace is recognized and documented by both the mass media and alternative media.
As we enter the second half of the Decade, it is a time for reflection and new thinking. Therefore, you are invited to write your advice and discuss the advice of others about strategy for the second half of the Decade. Please register on the Strategy Information Board, or simply go to the Strategy Board to read the strategy discussions from people around the world.
An e-mail bulletin of progress in these sites is sent out each month. If you would like to subscribe, please send your e-mail address to subscribe@decade-culture-of-peace.org.
For further information, please e-mail:
mail@decade-culture-of-peace.org
CPNN, the Culture of Peace News Network
CPNN, the Culture of Peace News Network, is a space where readers exchange information about events, experiences, books, music, and web news that promote a culture of peace. It is a self-sustaining network in which You, the reader, are invited to write a news report and contribute to its discussion. CPNN is a project of the United Nations International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World.
Culture of Peace Key ValuesThe culture of peace, as defined by the United Nations and represented by the peacekeys of CPNN, is much more than just peace. It includes