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International Seminar on Youth and Culture of Peace, Bilbao, Spain
un articulo por Oliver Rizzi Carlson for the UNOY Newsletter(abbreviated)
The International Seminar on Youth and Culture of
Peace in Bilbao brought together several
experiences from different world regions,
highlighting projects done to promote a culture of
peace especially among youth. These presentations
were framed by two keynote addresses, one by
Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former Director-General
of UNESCO and President of the Fundación Cultura
de Paz; the other by myself as UNOY Representative
to the UN. The Basque government, represented by
the Minister of Culture and the Director of Youth,
welcomed participants to the conference.
keynote address by Federico Mayor Zaragoza (right)
click on photo to enlarge
The event was relatively small in size, with
perhaps 10 speakers and about 100 attendees. Mayor
Zaragoza delivered a wide-ranging speech on the
importance of creating a culture of peace to
remedy the many problems our world is facing,
including warfare, environmental destruction, and
human rights abuses. The array of presentations on
work done on the ground was very diverse,
geographically as well as in terms of thematic
focus. There were presentations from Indonesia,
Lebanon, Australia, Central America, Spain and the
Basque Country, focusing on a culture of peace and
the environment, cultural and religious
coexistence, gender, ethnic minorities, historical
memory and new technologies. They all focused on
youth as well . . .
After a brief overview of UNOY, its members and
activities, I took the opportunity to present some
of my own thoughts on the culture of peace as one
example of the contribution that youth can make.
In this context, I spoke about cultural violence
as defined by Johan Galtung and the importance of
education for a culture of peace, emphasizing
certain related concepts. I went on to speak about
the past and current work of the UN to promote a
culture of peace, and mentioned that these are
documents and events that we as youth can now use
as tools for our own culture of peace work, within
and without the UN. I also showed a video produced
by the campaign for a Human Right to Peace, which
includes the right to education for a culture of
peace.
In general, I tried to present new perspectives on
the culture of peace, the role of youth, and the
UN, so as to not only inform, but stimulate new
reflections and inspire participants to contribute
to the culture of peace. The audience responded
very positively to my presentation with many
questions, and we had an interesting discussion.
Afterwards, a student and her professor came to me
on behalf of the whole group of 30-some students
present at the conference to know more about UNOY
and education for a culture of peace.
The response of participants to my talk despite the
intense nature of the conference reminded me of the
huge potential and contribution ready to be awakened
in every one of us. I believe some young
peacebuilder seeds were planted!
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DISCUSSION
Pregunta(s) relacionada(s) al artículo :
Youth speaking to youth on peace, Do you know of other examples?
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Comentario más reciente:
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This discussion question applies to the following articles:
Peace Ambassadors
Teens Making a Difference: Study Circles in Action
Rencontre internationale de la jeunesse à Dakhla : Création d’un réseau mondial pour la paix
United Youth
International Youth Meeting in Dakhla: Creation of a World Network for Peace
Youth as Actors in Peace and Human Rights Education
International Seminar on Youth and Culture of Peace, Bilbao, Spain
Children's Peace Statue finds a new home
Peace Seminar organised by UNOY Peacebuilders
Photo exhibit promotes culture of peace
This is a wake up call!
Taking the Peace Pledge
Estudantes da periferia de São Paulo encenam espetáculos para defender cultura de paz
Students from the suburbs of São Paulo go on stage to promote the culture of peace
Bangui : La jeunesse s’initie à la culture de la paix et de l’Unité nationale [République centrafricaine]
Bangui, Central African Republic : Youth organize for the culture of peace and national unity
DIF estatal fomenta cultura de paz en escuelas (México)
State DIF promotes culture of peace in schools (Mexico)
Costello students take part in UK Peace Jam
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