Agenda Item 31
Culture of Peace | Culture of PeaceADeclaration on a Culture of Peace | |
The General Assembly,
Recalling the Charter of the United Nations including the purposes and principles contained therein,
Recalling the constitution of the UNESCO which states that 'since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed',
Recalling also the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international instruments of the United Nations system,
Recognizing that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation,
Recognizing also that the end of the cold war has widened possibilities for strengthening a culture of peace,
Expressing deep concern about the persistence and proliferation of violence and conflict in various parts of the world,
Recognizing further the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including those based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status,
Recalling its resolution 52/15 proclaiming the year 2000 the 'International Year for the Culture of Peace' and its resolution 53/25 proclaiming the period 2001-2010 as the 'International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World',
Recognizing the important role UNESCO continues to play in the promotion of a culture of peace,
1. Solemnly proclaims this Declaration on a Culture of Peace to the end that governments, international organizations and civil society may be guided in their activity by its provisions to promote and strengthen a culture of peace in the new millennium.
Article 1: A culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and modes of behaviour and ways of