Dear Friends,
New Year's greetings for 2009!
Let us work to bring the world closer to a culture of peace in this, the next to last year of the United Nations Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. There are several discussions going on about how to celebrate the end of the Decade in 2010, and how to prolong its actions into the next ten years. It will be important to make concrete plans during the coming year. In this regard your suggestions are welcome, and I will publish them in the next issue of the Bulletin.
As we close out the year of 2008, here are the most recent articles that you have sent to the Culture of Peace News Network:
RECENT CPNN ARTICLES
AFRICA
Letter from Kivu, Congo
... "in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Northern and Southern Kivu), I am in the process of organizing a movement of youth called Youth for Peace, Love and Development "
ASIA AND PACIFIC
Seoul Statement on Revitalizing Ecumenical Movement
..."The main purpose of this consultation ... is ... to seek a refreshed vision together for the revitalizing of the ecumenical movement and to set meaningful goals."
Asian Religious Leaders Urge Religions To Teach Peace
..."religious and ethnic conflicts, terrorism, environmental abuse, globalization and the continuing danger of nuclear weapons ... remain a concern and of great importance to religious leaders and movements. But Asia's many faiths and spiritual traditions can offer answers"
Iranian Films Fly to 3 Countries
..."The Iranian cinema is a unique one of its type because of its exclusive properties. It is empty from violence, immorality, affronts and insults and discourtesy."
Philippine Youth Dialogue for Peace by Videoconference
..."There's no better way to reduce tension and ignorance than by bringing people face to face."
EUROPE
Art for Peace
..."As an artist, I try to interact through my work with the community, collaborating and developing small artistic projects that, without requiring money, can count on the participation of the community."
LATIN AMERICA
Xavante Strategy - documentary film
..."the astonishing history of 8 Xavante boys, from the village Pimentel Barbosa, chosen by the great chief Apowe in the decade of the 70's for a mission to learn Portuguese and the thinking of the "warazu" - the foreigners - and to return to assume the defense of Xavante territory and tradition."
NORTH AMERICA
From War Toys to Peace Art
..."an 80-page lesson aid package for teachers interested in carrying out their own "Acts of Transformation from War Toys to Peace Art." ... contains lesson plans, background resources, and links to other sources of related information"
Agape Foundation Peace Prize and Inspiration
..."Peacemakers deliver hope. With their actions. With their vision. With their leadership. They light the path to equality and justice. For us to follow."
Anti-war March on US Republican Convention
..."It was a powerful statement of the deep opposition to the war in Iraq that exists in every corner of this country"
ALL REGIONS
Speedy Ratification of the Treaty Banning Cluster Weapons
..."A more difficult task will be to convince those States addicted to cluster bombs — the Outlaw Seven: Brazil, China, India, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, USA"
Good News Agency Goes to Schools
..."to give voice also to those events which indicate in the world the response of humanity to the most pressing problems of our times is a responsibility which the media can no longer put off"
11 Days of Global Unity
..."Creating a Culture of Peace
Celebrating a Sustainable Future
September 11 - 21, 2008
Culminating on the International Day of Peace"
Books on Peace Education: Call for Manuscripts
..."We welcome manuscripts that address how peace education provides information about the roots of conflicts and strategies for peace."
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DISCUSSION TOPICS
Here are some of the topics that have been discussed since the previous Bulletin. They may be found under the Forum indicated on the CPNN DiscussionBoard (http://cpnn-world.org/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi ).
CINEMA AND TV
Does Persian culture contribute to a culture of peace?
RELIGION AND CULTURE OF PEACE
What are the proposals of the Seoul Statement?
DISARMAMENT
What have been the effects of cluster bombs?
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You are invited to send us your own news report about events or media that promote a culture of peace, or to add your comments to an ongoing discussion on the DiscussionBoard. For details on how the CPNN website works, please see the bulletin for April/May, 2007, which was sent to you by email and which is available online at http://decade-culture-of-peace.org/bulletin/may2007english.html.
Peace,
David Adams
http://decade-culture-of-peace.org