| Posted: Feb. 25 2005,16:37 |
If you wrote this report, you will find a button here that you may click
in order to make changes in the report. 
|
PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
The
U.N. declaration and Manifesto 2000 inspired a number of pre-existing
peace, faith and social action groups in Hamilton Ontario to work more
closely together. By forming the Hamilton Culture of Peace
Network and setting up a directory listing on our web site at
www.hwcn.org/link/cpd we have certainly improved communication
between many of these groups and have succeeded in creating a number of
peace-related activities in our city. Our primary focus has been
to work locally and to promote the principles of Manifesto 2000.
|
OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
|
There
is little public awareness about the need for a culture of peace.
Many believe they already enjoy it. (Especially the young.)
The invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11 made many peace people feel depressed. they felt powerless to influence events.
There is little or no support for peace initiatives in the media.
Many people do not seem to concern themselves with 'causes', they are too busy, too stressed, too isolated at home and in cars.
A constant problem for all peace groups is lack of money. Obtaining funding is very hard, often pitting one against the other.
Lack of discipline. Too many projects, too scattered to be effective.
|
ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
|
Our
group has organized a number of public meetings over the years and
worked cooperatively with other groups in support of their events.
Many flyers and newspaper acticles were printed about the Culture
of Peace.
Suppported the oldest black church in Hamilton to
counteract rascism, by helping organize five annual Martin Luther King
interfaith events.
After 9/11 helped to create the Citizen's
Protection Project designed to protect vulnerable minorities from being
threatened or harassed because of ethnic, racial or religious
differences. Together with the United Nations Association in
Canada (Hamilton branch) it presently runs this program in downtown
Hamilton. The program has been funded by the National Crime
Prevention Strategy, Community Mobilization Program, the Canadian
Heritage Foundation, and is supported by the City of Hamilton ,
Hamilton Police Services and others.
Has recently developed Peace
Dollars as means to raise money locally to "Wage Peace & Reject
Violence". Each dollar is printed with the six principles for a
culture of peace as developed by UNESCO for Manifesto 2000. The
dollars are available to raise funds for other worthwhile groups and
can be traded for admission to special events.
|
ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
We
respectfully urge the Secretary General and the General Assembly to
re-emphasize its support for Manifesto 2000 and its Culture of
Peace initiative at least for the balance of the decade.
More leadership from the UN would be helpful. A Culture of Peace needs constant backing if it is to become reality.
|
PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
We
are closely associated with the United Nations Association in Canada
(Hamilton Branch); McMaster University Centre for Peace Studies;
Physicians for Global Survival; the First Unitarian Church in Hamilton;
Voice of Women; Project Ploughshares, Quakers, etc.
See also our local culture of peace directory at www.hwcn.org/link/cpd
|
PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
We
intend to extend the use of our Peace Dollars to raise funds for
orselves and other groups. In particular we are attempting to
obtain further funding for our Ciitzen Protection Project so that it
can provide more 'safe havens' and expand its work into other parts of
the city. We are presently organizing public workshops on
anti-oppression training. We also hope to broaden our ability to
organize public peace events and continue to promote the principles of
Manifesto 2000.
|
Postal address of organization
|
173 Dundurn Street South, Hamilton, ON L8P 4K5
|
E-mail address of organization
|
ray.c@cogeco.ca or cpd@ hwcn.org
|
Website address of organization
|
www.hwcn.org/link/cpd
|
Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
|
Education for a culture of peace
|
Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
|
Understanding, tolereance, solidarity
|
Highest priority country of action (or international)
|
NORTH AMERICA: Canada
|
Second priority country of action (or international)
|
International
|
| Back to top |
|
