The nature of the state includes its defense of national borders. Hundreds of years ago, city-states defended themselves with fortifications and armed guards, but now the cities have open borders and it is only the state that limits the movement of people. Historically, it can be seen as one of the aspects of the culture of war.
In some cases, regional groups of states have pledged to respect a culture of peace in their relations. Here are examples from Southeast Asia in 2022 and from Latin America and the Caribbean in 2014.
Civil society organizations often work to reduce the barriers with those in neighboring states. Here are examples from Cyprus, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic), Northern Europe (Norway and Russia), Central America (Guatemala and Belize) and the Great Lakes region of Africa, among others.
Montpellier: Euro-Africa Biennial and Water Days
Greece and Turkey commit to dialogue
Azueï: the union of Dominicans and Haitians through art
Women from Chile and Bolivia meet in La Paz to build a “neighbor friendship
Conakry: Forum on national unity and peace
Regional Peace Boosted by Colombia-Venezuela Relations Reset
The Two Waves of Latin American Progressive Governments
Brazil’s ex-president Lula pledges to bolster Latin American integration if elected
Gabon: Training to Prepare Project of Youth as Weavers of Peace
Chad, Cameroon and Gabon: Youth as Weavers of Peace in the border region
Rutilio Escandón holds meeting with Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Prize winner
G5 Sahel: Heads of State announce Prize for the promotion of the culture of peace
Senegal: Launch of the National Initiative “Resilience at the Borders”
Neighbours as friends, not enemies: Nordic-Russian seminar, PRIO, Oslo, 3.- 4. February 2020
EDUCATION: Imagine programme helping to reconcile divided Cyprus
Nordic trip to Russia: Neighbours As Friends, Not Enemies
Belize and Guatemala host Garifuna Cultural Event
A Visit to Russia for “Life Extension” of the Planet
The Gambia: ‘African countries must unite’