The United Nations and the Culture of Peace
As defined by the United Nations, the Culture of Peace is a set of values, attitudes, modes of behavior and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals,groups and nations.
The Peace Mosaic
The Culture of Peace is made up of an infinite number of interlocking pieces. Each of us has a part to play in the pattern of peace.
A peace culture maintains creative balance among bonding, community closeness, and the need for separate spaces. It can be defined as a mosaic of identities, attitudes, values, beliefs, and patterns that leads people to live nurturingly with one another and the earth itself without the aid of structured power differentials, to deal creatively with their differences, and to share their resources. Violence is more visible and gets more attention in our history books and in our media than peace does. But peace culture will take us where we want to go. - Elise Boulding
The Peace Mosaic embraces:
- Listening
- Respect for Diversity
- Non-violence
- Dignity of Life
- Dialogue
- Democracy
- Equality of men and women
- Free flow of information
- Education for all
- Conflict Transformation
- Love of Earth
- Peace and Human Security
Culture of Peace vs. Culture of Violence
Change begins with individuals who work to make their dreams come true. We begin by believing that a Culture of Violence can change to a Culture of Peace.
What are the differences between a Culture of Violence and a Culture of Peace?
|
Culture of Violence |
Culture of Peace |
|
Violence |
Nonviolence |
|
Hierarchical, vertical, authority |
Democratic, participative |
|
Rules, orders Dialogue |
Communication |
|
Exploitative of people and of the natural environment |
Respect for human rights and dignity, sustainable development |
|
Male-dominated Power sharing between men and women |
Empowerment of women |
|
Secretive (information is controlled) |
Open sharing of information |
|
Demonizing “other” |
Tolerance and respect for diversity |
|
Division Unity and cooperation Responding to conflict with violent suppression |
Negotiation, mediation, search for nonviolent solutions to causes of conflict |
(Adapted from “UNESCO’s Culture of Peace Programme: An Introduction” by David Adams and Michael True, in International Peace Research Newsletter, Vol XXXV No. 1. March 1997)
