| Posted: April 15 2005,16:34 |
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? |
Yes.
We have seen progress, particularly in getting movement toward
peace discussions among Palestinians and Israelis. We have sent
our members to Israel and Palestine and organized meetings among
professional and ordinary citizens of both parties. We have helped
break down fears, misunderstandings, and hesitancy to even meet and
listen to people of the opposite party. People-to-people, there
is a greater willingness now to engage in trying to break down fears
and to possibly take a risk in bringing an improvement in the current
impossible situation, where normal living has not been going on for
about 60 years. Both Israelis and Palestinians are tired of the
violence and the inability to go about their business of work, school,
and ordinary family life. This increased willingness to talk to
the other parties is particularly encouraging among youth and women.
|
OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
|
The
greatest obstacles are the governments and the unyielding religious
conservatives who have an ideological determination to persist in what
they believe is a God-given right to certain land and religious sites.
There are also external obstacles, such as biblical evangelical
religious groups (non-Jewish) who encourage Zionist ademancy, as well
as certain outside governments which do not do enough to discourage
unyielding positions of extremists on both sides.
|
ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
|
We
continue to send Pax Christi International members to facilitate
discussions among the parties. We also organize and facilitate
visitor groups to go to Israel and Palestine to learn first-hand what
are some of the difficulties of the situation. Such visits not
only show world interest in the progress that has been made, but also
encourage further progress. The clear promise of rewards for
settling the violence in that area has led to investments in social,
economic, political and religious development on both sides. For
example, such actions to facilitate cooperation among the parties has
led to youth mixed atheletic teams, mixed schools, and other
cooperative business ventures. These will prepare the way for the
day when there are two independent states which together will harness
the rich human and natural resources which are available in this area.
|
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? |
Send
more people-to-people groups to areas of conflict, so that the
disputing parties and the world will resognize how vital peace is, not
only for the parties in conflict, but also for the various countries
around the world who are impacted by the conflicts.
|
PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
HolyLand
Christian Ecumenical Foundation. World Council of Churches.
Nonviolent Peace Force. Numerous other peace groups.
|
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 have similar peace efforts in Africa, South America, as well as in the United States.
Pax
Christi Ireland is planning a "World Culture of Peace Day" being held
on the 9th of August in Cork, the European City of Culture in 2005. The
year 2005 also marks the mid-point in the United Nations Decade for a
Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children in the World. The
event is an opportunity to explore peace issues, reflect, share, pray
and socialise. More info e-mail: cultureofpeaceday@eircom.net or see
the website at www.cultureofpeace.info.
|
Postal address of organization
|
Vieux Marche aux Grains 21
1000 Brussels
Belgium
|
E-mail address of organization
|
hello@paxchristi.net
|
Website address of organization
|
www.paxchristi.net
|
Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
|
Education for a culture of peace
|
Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
|
International peace and security
|
Highest priority country of action (or international)
|
International
|
Second priority country of action (or international)
|
|
| Back to top |
|
