World Solutions
A fundamental Core Value in a Culture of Peace
is an absolute commitment to non-violence
and to non-violent conflict-resolution
Violence of physical harm or abuse to anyone
is not-acceptable in a peaceful & just society
All conflicts need to be resolved peacefully – without physical violence or threats. Using guns or any weapons to harm others or resolve conflicts is absolutely not-acceptable.
In a Culture of Peace, individuals and groups will need to peacefully tolerate different and opposing beliefs, opinions, and arguments.
A Culture of Peace does not mean that everyone will 'always agree' or 'always be in harmony'. Disagreements, disharmonies and arguments will need to be tolerated. Conflicts will need to be tolerated and accepted as inevitable in any human society, but these conflicts will be discussed and resolved peacefully, without violence or imposed suppression.
Social harmony is an ideal of a peaceful society and world, but social diversity and the freedom to have differing beliefs must be allowed and protected by civil law, to ensure that a majority group does not force or impose their particular beliefs or lifestyles upon minority groups who believe differently or chose to live differently, as long as their actions are not physically harmful to others or to the natural environment.
A Culture of Peace does not mean that no one will occasionally feel emotionally hurt or have their sensitivities upset. Individuals or groups might (at times) hurt the feelings and sensitivities of others, because different people or groups may hold different beliefs and sensitivities, or they might express behaviors that others are not comfortable with. In addition, people may have different beliefs of what exactly is right and wrong, good and bad, justice and injustice. All people might not precisely agree on certain questions of morality, justice or fairness. So inevitably, even in a Culture of Peace, there may be outspoken arguments and heated controversial discussions about social or political issues.
Free speech, free discussion and open debate will need to be peacefully tolerated – without any censorship or punishment imposed by one group upon another group because of differences in beliefs or opinions.
A Culture of Peace and non-violence will need to accept that there are diverse and different 'sub-cultures' within the larger Culture of Peace. So there will need to be an accepted tolerance of differing beliefs and life-choices, including an accepted tolerance of various out-spoken beliefs and opinions, even if these are opposing to one's own beliefs and opinions, or even if these might be upsetting to some people's sensitivity or feelings. Thus, a Culture of Peace will still need to acceptably tolerate various social conflicts and hurt social sensitivities, as long as there is no physical violence involved.
The highest ideals in a Culture of Peace will be harmony in diversity, unity of differences, and peace with freedom. But inevitably in this, there will be conflicts, upsets, and disagreements; yet these conflicts and disagreements can be approached with understanding, compassion, and a will to resolve all troubles and problems in a peaceful manner.
1. Develop
reliable and trustworthy systems of Human Security,
whereby people no
longer fear violence or personal abuse.
2. Address both the causes and impacts of specific conflicts or acts of violence.
3. Apply conflict-resolution techniques, such as dialogue about common ground, common values and common human rights.
4. Create social structures and laws for non-violent resolutions of conflict.
5. Transform fear-based dynamics into trust-based dynamics, in social and political relations.
6. Build a Culture of Peace, which highly values peace and endeavors to build peace in all aspects of the society and ways of life.
7. Utilize worldwide news outlets, social media and education to communicate the values, practices, and multi-various examples of practical peacebuilding and peace-culture activities.
1. Respect for Human Rights
– Being safe from violence, war, and oppression is a human right.
– Personal, cultural, and religious freedom is a human right.
– Freedom of speech, opinion, and lifestyle is a human right.
– Food, water, and sufficient economic opportunities is a human right.
– Democratic participation in governing decisions, through voting and diversity-proportional representation.
– A sustainable Culture of Peace can only be developed when there is gender, race, and cultural equality in all aspects of the society and in all arenas of public decision-making.
2. Peaceful
conflict-resolution
– Apply dialogue, negotiation, and compromise, with mutual respect.
– Agreements and cooperation are built upon common values and needs, along with a will to approach consensus, while respecting differences and diversity.
– Transcend prejudices and enemy-preconceptions about other cultures, races, or nations.
– Maintain a positive and proactive approach to peace-making, peacebuilding, and sustainable peace. A positive approach is to continually persevere with a positive attitude and to build trust and cooperation.
3. Teaching Peace
– Teach children and all society about the value of peace, non-violence, human rights, democracy, non-discrimination, social justice, cultural diversity and inter-cultural understanding.
– Teach children and students to practice conflict-resolution and peace-building in practical situations.
– For Educators:
see this Peacebuilding Toolkit
here is an impressive and comprehensive free book on
Peace Education with a Holistic Understanding
here are some Peace Lesson Plans for elementary grades:
Educating for Peace
here is a Semester Curriculum for secondary grades:
HS Peace Education
here are Curricular Materials for various grades:
Peace Literacy
also see this lesson plan on
Wilson's 14 Points for World Peace
Creative Teaching Ideas from Teach Peace Now
from the Hague
Appeal for Peace Conference 1999:
A Global Campaign for Peace
Education
"A Culture of Peace will be achieved when citizens of
the world understand global problems, have the skills to resolve
conflicts and struggle for justice non-violently, live by
international standards of human rights and equity, appreciate
cultural diversity, and respect the Earth and each other. Such
learning can only be achieved with systematic education for peace."
from the UN Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, article 9:
– Ensure that children, from an early age, benefit from education on the values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life to enable them to resolve any dispute peacefully and in a spirit of respect for human dignity and of tolerance and non-discrimination.
– Involve children in activities designed to instill in them the values and goals of a culture of peace.
– Ensure equality of access to education for women, especially girls.
A culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and modes of behaviour and ways of life based on:
(a) Respect for life, ending of violence and promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and cooperation;
(b) Full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law;
(c) Full respect for and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms;
(d) Commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts;
(e) Efforts to meet the developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations;
(f) Respect for and promotion of the right to development;
(g) Respect for and promotion of equal rights and opportunities for women and men;
(h) Respect for and promotion of the right of everyone to freedom of expression, opinion and information;
(i) Adherence to the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations; and fostered by an enabling national and international environment conducive to peace.
Article 5
Governments have an essential role in promoting and strengthening a culture of peace.
Article 6
Civil society needs to be fully engaged in fuller development of a culture of peace.
Article 7
The educative and informative role of the media contributes to the promotion of a culture of peace.
Article 8
A key role in the promotion of a culture of peace belongs to parents, teachers, politicians, journalists, religious bodies and groups, intellectuals, those engaged in scientific, philosophical and creative and artistic activities, health and humanitarian workers, social workers, managers at various levels as well as to non-governmental organizations.
Article 9
The United Nations should continue to play a critical role in the promotion and strengthening of a culture of peace worldwide.
click here for the complete UN Declaration on a Culture of Peace
cultivate understanding, respect, and trust
respect the diversity and creativity of others
honestly listen and consider the other point of view
maintain an attitude of common purpose and endeavor
recognize shared intentions, values and goals
recognize what is most essential and what is not
at times set aside disagreements on specifics
strengthen agreements and common ground
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