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 Peaceways-Young General Assembly: “In July 2000, people under the age of 18 established an international organization dedicated to achieving a permanent Culture of Peace brought about with the assistance of Child Participation … There are 91 Member organizations in 57 countries involving over 2 1/2 million young people worldwide…” “The hardest obstacle to overcome is the attitude that people under 18 are not capable of making decisions or initiating responsible action towards building a Culture of Peace…”
Soka Gakkai International: “We have developed several educational programs to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence such as the ‘Building a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World’ exhibition, the ‘Victory Over Violence’ initiative, and several initiatives related to the theme of ‘Women and a Culture of Peace.”
Soroptimist International: “Maybe that the progress is not measurable, but within the communities where the projects have been realised a better understanding, more tolerance and solidarity has been achieved.” “Obstacles: Especially for the youth the influence of the media is negative. Very seldom we find positive examples, in the headlines we find war, violence, murder. We would need more positive role models. The media should observe their responsibility.”
The World Peace Prayer Society: “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…” “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…”
Transcend: “Progress: We have contributed to the peaceful resolution of a number of international conflicts. In 2005 alone, Transcend has mediated in Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Chiapas, Aceh, Uganda, Liberia and many other conflict regions. As an earlier example, one positive experience was the creation of a BINATIONAL ZONE between Ecuador and Peru which has been an example for other conflicts….” Obstacles: “Only run by volunteer work, lack of permanent staff. No grants or financial support.”
United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY): “We have seen progress since 2000 which is reflected in the number of new activities and organisations involved. Of particular importance we consider the involvement of organisations which do not traditional work on this issue, for example, students associations and clubs in secondary schools and universities and religious organizations …” “The main obstacles we have faced and are facing are: 1. Lack of coordination among all institutions and actors involved. 2. Leadership of the Decade is not determined enough. More efforts need to be made by UNESCO….”
United Religions Initiative: “URI has seen definite progress toward a culture of peace as our organization --
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committed to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings -- has grown from 85 Cooperation Circles (our local groups) in 2000 to nearly 280 CCs in 60 countries in 2005, with activities annually engaging over 1 million people. These numbers … don't measure a more critical factor -- the depth of transformation that comes from forming mutually respectful communities whose members have rarely, if ever talked with each other and/or worked cooperatively to realize a shared vocation for peace, justice and healing.”
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom: “Our organization, working in 37 countries, has seen minimal progress in the first half of the decade. We have, however, seen remarkable progress within our own education, and on a grassroots level. The growing awareness of a culture of peace and nonviolence within and without the organization has indeed progressed…” “Funding is one obstacle that has prevented us from completing some specific projects on furthering the decade.”
World Alliance of YMCAs: “…The World Alliance of YMCAs has been promoting a culture of peace for many years through its 40 million members at local, national, regional and international levels. As a youth organisation the YMCA is particularly focused on engaging young people to promote a culture of peace. The World Council of YMCAs meets every 4 years. In the first World Council meeting after the Decade for the Culture of Peace, in Mexico 2002, the Council adopted three Global Youth Priorities, one of them being to promote a culture of peace.”
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts: “Progress: Yes, through our joint peace work with our brother organization, WOSM, more girls and young women and boys and young men have taken part in peace activities. Together we have almost 40 million members. We are running many different peace projects - some long-running and some new - all of which are being taken up enthusiastically by different countries. For example, a small peace project developed on the Olympic games, involved over 13 countries.”
World Council of Churches - Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV): “There clearly is progress in making peace and nonviolence more of a priority in the constituency of the World Council of Churches. Several National or Regional councils have made overcoming violence and/or peace building the theme of their general assemblies, and church agencies have made overcoming violence a programmatic priority or a criterion for evaluation ... DOV and the UN-Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World are in growing convergence and synergic development.”
World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations: “Since 2001, WFUCA has conducted numerous sub-regional and international projects in the domain of the culture of peace … These actions (see full report) address not only a broad public of youth and young adults, but also children who are sometimes the main actors…” “Despite a special website for ‘Confluences – the newsletter of WFUCA’ - too many members of UNESCO Clubs in developing countries have no direct access to Internet…”
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