| Posted: Jan. 14 2005,11:39 |
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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? |
Yes,
the Culture of Peace has been greatly advanced during the past 5 years.
The World Peace Prayer Society promotes the prayer and message
"May Peace Prevail on Earth" around the globe as a constant reminder
for people to hold peace in their hearts. Peace Poles, which are
monuments with the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" inscribed in
various languages, have been dedicated in over 180 countries and now
total well over 200,000. World Peace Flag Ceremonies, where the
flag of each nation is raised as people pray for peace in that country,
have been held in many countries and touched the lives of thousands of
people of all ages. The Peace Pals program has engaged children
in in over 30 countries and continues to share successful peace
education activities that have worked in different parts of the world.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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One
of the greatest challenges to creating a Culture of Peace has been the
prevailing culture of violence evident in much of today's media and
popular culture. Furthermore, the concept of a Culture of Peace
has not been clearly defined in the public arena. Instead, the
“war on terror” and the constant focus on “security” have overshadowed
the prevailing discussion on issues of war and peace. UNESCO and
the UN system as a whole must be more active in promoting the Culture
of Peace.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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The
culture of peace and nonviolence has been actively promoted through all
actions of the World Peace Prayer Society. In particular, efforts
to celebrate and publicize the International Day of Peace 21 September
(A/RES/55/282) have been spread through the network of Peace
Representatives in over 60 countries and through collaboration with
numerous partners in the civil society and UN communities around the
world. The annual World Peace Festival has brought thousands of
people together to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
World Peace Flag Ceremonies have empowered people to put forth
their prayers for peace for every nation. The Peace Pals program,
with coordinators in 40 countries, has inspired children in many
countries to plant the seeds of peace in their hearts and communities
through peace related activities and games. Thousands of Peace
Poles have been dedicated as constant reminders for people to hold the
wish for world peace in their hearts and minds. The International
Essay Contest for Young People, co-sponsored with the Goi Peace
Foundation, has inspired thousands of children (up to age 15) and youth
(16 to 25 years old) around the world to write about their visions of
the culture of peace and nonviolence. The World Peace Prayer
Society has published a new peace education tool entitled “PEACE
OFFERINGS: ACTIVITIES FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE FROM AROUND THE WORLD.”
Our office in Scotland is developing a peace education curriculum that
is being tested in the classroom.
Israeli and Palestinian Youth
Olympic Peace Path Day
GambiaSNV wPole, Flags, Banners
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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? |
Greater
focus on the International Day of Peace can help inspire governments
and civil society to focus on building a culture of peace together. All
bodies of the United Nations system should use the language of the
“Culture of Peace” in as many places as possible. Documents and
speeches should include reminders about the culture of peace and the
decade as a whole. The culture of peace presents a positive
opportunity for people in all countries to overcome the negative issues
of terrorism and security concerns. As we move into the 60th
anniversary of the UN and the Millennium +5 review, the UN can propel
the culture of peace forward as the foundation for international
harmony in achieving the global agendas articulated in the millennium
development goals and other agreed upon plans of action.
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
The
World Peace Prayer Society collaborates openly with as many civil
society, UN, and governmental organizations as possible.
Partnering with networks of Non-Governmental Organizations has
been a powerful way of promoting the culture of peace. Some of
these networks include:
International Day of Peace NGO Committee
International Day of Peace annual student observation with the UN Department of Public Information
International Day of Peace Vigil
Culture of Peace Subcommittee of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns
Spiritual Caucus at the UN
Values Caucus at the UN
United Religions Initiative
Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Interfaith Partnership for the Environment
NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns
Gandhi-King Season for Nonviolence
The “We, The Peoples” Initiative
Friends of the United Nations
…and many more.
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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)? |
The
World Peace Prayer Society will continue to plant the seeds of peace in
young minds with the essay contest about the culture of peace and
nonviolence, peace pals programs and activities, international day of
peace awareness and celebration, Gandhi-King season for nonviolence,
peace poles, and world peace flag ceremonies. New engagements to
promote the culture of peace will include focus on education for
sustainable development and future collaborations and initiatives with
new and existing partners. Continue to encourage use of the prayer “May
Peace Prevail on Earth” as a call for a worldwide culture of peace.
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Postal address of organization
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World Peace Sanctuary
26 Benton Road
Wassaic, New York, 12592 USA
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E-mail address of organization
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info@worldpeace.org
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Website address of organization
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www.worldpeace.org
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Education for a culture of peace
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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International
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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