All posts by CPNN Coordinator

About CPNN Coordinator

Dr David Adams is the coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.

U.N. rights boss urges withdrawal of article in French draft security law

. . HUMAN RIGHTS . .

An article from Reuters (reprinted by permission)

United Nations human rights boss Michelle Bachelet called on Wednesday [9 December] for the withdrawal of a draft law in France known as “Article 24” that would curb freedom to share images identifying police.


photo from Al Jazeera

Questions related to this article:

Can the United Nations protect human rights?

France has been hit by a wave of street protests after the government introduced a security bill in parliament that set out to increase its surveillance tools and restrict rights on circulating images of police officers in the media and online. (See CPNN November 29 and November 23)

In a recent U-turn, French President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party said it would rewrite the article that curbs rights to circulate images of police officers.

“The law has to be discussed by the French people,” Bachelet told a Geneva news conference. “But it’s the Article 24, the one we are really concerned about. And that’s why we are mentioning that should be reviewed and should be, I guess, withdrawn”.

Click here for the French version)

Europe, HUMAN RIGHTS, United Nations,

PAYNCoP Gabon : Celebrating International Volunteer Day

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY . .

Special to CPNN from Jerry Bibang (translation by CPNN)

Celebrated under the theme “Together, it’s possible through volunteering,” the International Volunteer Day was the opportunity, this year, to appreciate the contribution of volunteers in the fight against the health crisis, which has become a social and economic crisis as well.


(click on image to enlarge)

PAYNCoP Gabon [National Coordination of the Pan-African Youth Network for the Culture of Peace] took part in the event organized by the Central Africa Office of the OIF [International Organization of La Francophonie] and the United Nations system, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth. The event recognized the actions carried out to fight against the covid 19 pandemic.

(Click here for the original version in French.)

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Question related to this article:
 
How can we work together to overcome this medical and economic crisis?

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“Since the onset of the disease, we have carried out awareness-raising and support actions for the most vulnerable,” said Jerry Bibang, the National Coordinator. These actions included :

– the sensitization of young people via social networks on barrier measures, in partnership with the National Youth Council (CNJ);

– the project to fight fakes news around covid19 (infodemic), in partnership with UNESCO;

– raising awareness among young people through comics strips, in partnership with Yali Gabon and Laboratoire Citoyen du Nouveau Monde;

– the project to set up a hand washing kit in the under-integrated neighborhoods of Libreville, in partnership with Engineers Without Borders;

– the urgent support project for people living with a disability, thanks to the support of Unesco;

– and the project to combat the spread of covid19 among young people and women in prisons, with the support of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the Omar Bongo Foundation for Peace, Science and Culture (FOBO).

“Through our actions, we have directly reached 950 people and impacted more than 1000 people indirectly. It is also an opportunity for us to reiterate our gratitude to the partners who place their trust in us, notably UNESCO, UNOCA, FOBO and many others.”

“Despite these efforts, we are nonetheless aware that the challenges are still many and varied. One of our challenge is to be able to make vulnerable people economically autonomous by setting up income-generating activities.

Peace is not limited to the absence of war, it is also the absence of unemployment, of inequality, of injustice …

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Kalemie, DRC: 200 young Twa and Bantu trained as actors of peace

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Radio Okapi

Two hundred young Twa and Bantu have been trained as actors of peace within the framework of the Tusikilizane Joint Project initiated in Tanganyika by UNFPA, FAO and UNESCO. This project consisted in training in the culture of peace young people and women from two communities previously in conflict. Provincial authorities say they support the project.


A view of the commercial district in Manono, 450 km southwest of Kalemie (Katanga / DRC).

(Click here for the original French version of this article)

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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It was the Twa-Bantu conflict, which raged in five of the six territories of Tanganyika province, that motivated the three agencies of the United Nations system (UNFPA, FAO and UNESCO) to plan the Tusikilizane Joint Project. Since 2018, Tusikilizane has targeted 200 young people from two communities previously torn apart by bloody conflicts.

This project has just ended its activities in the territories of Kabalo, Kalemie and Nyunzu, after having trained for two years the nucleus of two hundred young people as actors of peace.

UNESCO Country Representative in the DRC, Jean-Pierre Ilboudo, explains:

“Their role is therefore a relay role, which will make that from 200, we will go to 2000, to 2 million to 20 million, to 200 million later. ”

Fifty other women from two communities also benefited from numerous sessions, tools and other capacity-building workshops to involve them in peacebuilding and social cohesion in the region.

“Now that they understand, they would rather work for the welfare of the country and not be manipulated by adventurers. The government is there to support them ”, assured the provincial Minister of Youth and representative of the provincial governor, Radjabu Ali Lugogo Raligo.

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Niger: 7th edition of the National Press Freedom Day under the theme “Journalism in the electoral period”

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from the Agence Nigérienne de Presse

The Minister of Communication, Mr. Habi Mahamadou Salissou chaired, this Monday, November 30, 2020 at the press house, the opening of the activities for the National Press Freedom Day.


Placed under the theme “journalism during an election period: fact checking, promotion of the culture of peace, peaceful coexistence of populations”, this 7th edition takes place in a very particular global context, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis which also affects our country Niger.

According to the Minister of Communication, “the theme of this year comes at a crucial period, namely the organization of general elections, during which the journalist’s sense of professionalism will be put to the test,” in this regard, he continued, “the verification of the facts, immediately verifying the veracity of the facts and the accuracy of the data, will be an important parameter, in particular through the observance of a code of good conduct”.

“I therefore invite journalists to favor the use of information verification techniques during the electoral period and to become more aware of their major role in the election process because citizens have the right to reliable information ”, added Minister Habi Mahamadou Salissou, who specified that “journalists should avoid getting carried away by the frantic race for scoops and media buzz”.

According to the Minister, “We must work for the advent of a media environment during an election period based on professionalism and its rules. We must therefore establish platforms and academic programs for teaching verification techniques. IFITIC and the Arts and Communication department of the UAM of Niamey should help in this regard “.

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Click here for the original version in French)

Question(s) related to this article:

African journalism and the Culture of Peace, A model for the rest of the world?

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“Without true professionalism, freedom of the press cannot prosper. That is why the State will continue its efforts aimed at creating all the conditions favorable to the emergence of a professional, free and independent press, and to the improvement of the living and working conditions of journalists “assured Mr. Habi Mahaman Salissou. .

On this occasion, the Minister of Communication called on the various players in the field to “move towards the signing of a collective press agreement” while reaffirming the commitment of the Ministry of Communication to ensure that the Convention process is successful “.

He congratulated Niger on the advance made in the latest ranking of Reporters Without Borders, dropping from 66th to 57th place in 2020, out of 180 countries.

“Dear journalists, let us together maintain this course and continue to use the freedom of the press on the understanding that some of you must stop abusing it. It is in this way and only that we will together promote press freedom in our country, and in the interest, well understood by all “he concluded.

The president of the board of directors of the House of the Press Mr. Ibrahim Harouna for his part indicated that “ the professionalism of the media is crucial during the election period, it is also for us the moment to call all the candidates to the presidential elections to commit to respect for press freedom in our country”.

The living and working conditions of Nigerien journalists remain very difficult. The Covid-19 pandemic has come another hard blow to the field. Several journalists have been laid off and many more have lost their jobs.

“Our appeal to the government for support for the media has gone unheeded. It is time for me to once again call on all the players in the process of signing the collective agreement to be more committed to finalizing this process” he added.

It was with the presentation of prizes to the various winners of the press house competition and the special Mariama keita prize that the opening ceremony ended.

The President of the Republic Issoufou Mahamadou initialed the Declaration of Table Mountain which promotes press freedom in the signatory countries, on November 30, 2011, he recalled.

Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Culture of peace: Oyem, Gabon, to host the cross-border project “young weavers of peace in Central Africa”

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Gabon Media Time

Following an exploration mission in Woleu-Ntem province recently led by Salah Kaled, Unesco Regional Director for Central Africa and Representative of the Unesco Office in Gabon ad interim, Oyem was chosen to accommodate the future headquarters of the project entitled “young people, weavers of peace in the cross-border regions of Gabon, Cameroon and Chad”. The project is intended to counter insecurity and growing crime on the borders of the three countries.


Governorate of the province of Woleu-Ntem © D.R.

(Click here for the original French version of this article)

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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During his mission, the UNESCO representative made a point to present to Jules Djéki, Governor of the province, the challenges of this project which plans to mobilize nearly 1,800 young peace weavers aged 15 to 35 for conflict prevention and peacebuilding in the cross-border regions of the three countries.

Note that this project also aims to achieve 4 major results. According to Juste-Joris Tindy-Poaty, in charge of the Human and Social Sciences program, we can cite, among others:

– the strengthening of the Central African Early Warning Mechanism (MARAC) of ECCAS in the prevention of conflicts and violence with the participation of young people in each of the border areas;

– the involvement of young people in the trafficking of wildlife, natural resources and other forms of crime,

– improvement of national coordination and monitoring mechanisms by local authorities, in order to provide a more effective and more balanced response to the challenges posed by cross-border crime and the risks of insecurity ”.

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Côte d’Ivoire : Social cohesion and peace in Daoukro: The king and the NGO Wanep help bring communities together

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article from Fratmat

Peace has returned to Daoukro, after the recent inter-community conflict between Baoulé and Malinké. To ensure peace between all the communities and particularly between the belligerents, a meeting took place yesterday [30 November] in the royal court of Daoukro, in the presence of King Kongo Lagou III. The meeting was attended by administrative and political authorities, law enforcement, religious and community leaders.


King Kongo Lagou III, Ong Wanep officials and meeting participants after the exchanges. (Dr)

Initiated by the NGO Wanep (West African Network for the Construction of Peace in Côte d’Ivoire and West Africa), this meeting aimed, according to its representative, Dano Servel Pacco, to contribute to the social cohesion and lasting peace in Daoukro.

(Article continued in right column)

(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

(Article continued from left column)

“We are here to put into operation the endogenous mechanism for the prevention and resolution of conflicts identified during the community discussions last September, after the August conflict. This meeting should facilitate actions to be carried out by the communities, within the framework of the endogenous mechanism, “said Dano Servel, who welcomed the contribution of the King of Daoukro to bring the communities together.

Thus, the actors directly or indirectly involved in the conflict, the administrative and political authorities, the traditional chiefdom, the heads of all the communities, the youth leaders, the representatives of the political parties, the police forces and the religious leaders have, during the discussions, expressed their expectations for a lasting peace and mentioned the actions to be taken in Daoukro in this direction.

Satisfied with the proposals, King Kongo Lagou III, through his Kangah Kouadio cane holder, declared that an internal meeting will be held to decide what to do, in terms of sacrifice, to rekindle the flame of living together.

Those in charge of Ong Wanep were also satisfied that their actions for peace bore fruit. Dano Servel said they are instilling the culture of peace in communities. “This is not our first meeting in Daoukro. And the satisfaction can be read on the faces of the participants, because in-depth work is being done for lasting peace, “he said.

He added that there will be follow-up, as the NGO has early warning monitors in the area. “From now on, if conflict resumes, we will ask the gendarmerie and the police to investigate and appoint those responsible. Because there are people who cause these killings. And if we manage to get our hands on them, they will leave our village for good, “King Kongo Lagou III warned before closing the meeting.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Past Virtual Events: December 1 -9

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Here are events from December that were previously listed on the CPNN page for upcoming virtual events. Unless otherwise noted the events are in English.

Dec 1, 2020 18:30 PM in London

Students say No to War on Yemen
The war in Yemen has entered its sixth, devastating year. Over 100,000 people have died and millions are the brink of famine. The British Government is complicit in this war; over £5 billion worth of arms have been sold to the Saudi coalition since the start of the war and RAF personnel have maintained Saudi planes and directed the bombings. Stop the War Coalition, alongside organisations around the world, has called a global day of action against the war on Yemen on 25th January 2021. Students have played a major role in fighting against British involvement in the war, organising protests across the country over the summer, and will have a vital role in building the day of action. Join us to discuss how we can take action on the 25th January and end the war on Yemen.
— Speakers (tbc):
Lucy Nichols, Stop the War
Malak Mayet, Campaign Against the Arms Trade
Adhiyan Jeevathol, London Students for Yemen
Lamar Campbell, Young Labour International Representative
Hasan Patel, Young Labour Under 18’s Representative
Register here

December 3-5

United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
Development, Environment and Peace Nexus (DEEPEN): Peace Making in Borderlands
— Violence and conflict in borderlands are inseparable from environmental degradation and hinder social development. This close connection, however, also provides the potential to reverse the vicious cycle of conflict, disruption to nature and social exclusion and move, through a holistic transformative approach, toward a virtuous cycle of peace, ecological integrity and inclusive development. At this uniquely multidisciplinary conference, speakers will explore the complex relationships between development, environment and peace in borderlands, challenging conventional approaches and introducing innovative theories and practices for sustainable and peaceful development.
— Click here for the program
— The on-line event is open to a global audience and free of charge. Register here.

Friday 4th December 2020 9.15am–12pm GMT

Mayors for Peace European Chapter, NFLA and ICAN joint webinar
European peace and security through the 2020s,
how do we create a safer, more peaceful continent free of nuclear weapons?
— The webinar will bring together mayors and experts on nuclear disarmament, and will concentrate on the important role of local towns and cities in creating safe, resilient, sustainable and more peaceful communities.
— This meeting will be hosted on Zoom and will also be streamed live on You Tube. The meeting will be held in English, with English-Spanish simultaneous translation offered by the City of Granollers.
— Register here

December 5 and 6

United for Intercultural Action : European Network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees
Conference for climate justice and peace
— We want to invite you to join us online for a conference which is going to take place online on December 5th and 6th, 2020 on the 10th anniversary of thePrague Spring 2 network.
This time the following questions are going to be raised:
— How can we organize a campaign in all parts of Europe for an eco-social transformation and disarmament and a Nuke Free Europe and Climate Justice?
— How can communities strengthen each other across borders finding ways to build trust and resilience through local food production and stronger solidarity economies?
— How can we dismantle authoritarian, military, trade and financial international regimes that support the continuation of racist colonial and neocolonial oppression and where and what can be the contribution of our organizations like trade unions, peasant and Human Rights organizations to peace and democracy?
— Click here for the program
— Register here. Zoom link will be sent by email.

9 December 9:00 -10:30 (Mexico City)

On the occasion of the International Human Rights Defenders Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Mexico invites you to the webinar “Protecting Human Rights Defenders: the commitment of the European Union”. With the participation of human rights defenders in Mexico.
— Registration required: http://bit.ly/39umEMv

Mercredi 9 décembre 10H-12H France (en français)
(
Le désarmement conventionnel, influence t-il le désarmement nucléaire ?
— L’Union européenne, et plus largement les Etats du continent européen ont une approche très variée concernant le sujet du désarmement nucléaire. . . Dans le domaine du désarmement conventionnel l’unité est plus forte, tous ayant adhéré aux différentes normes internationales. La récente fin du Traité sur les forces nucléaires à portée intermédiaire (qui visait à éliminer des missiles emportant aussi bien des charges nucléaires ou conventionnelles) a montré une nécessité de renforcer une voie européenne du désarmement (face à la Russie, la Chine, les Etats-Unis). Mais cette voie commune peut-elle exister au niveau du désarmement conventionnel et nucléaire ? Ou c’est l’unité face aux enjeux de désarmement classique qui peut permettre d’entrainer (une sorte d’étapes par étapes) une position plus forte et commune sur l’interdiction et l’élimination des armes nucléaires ?
— ICAN France, avec le soutient de la Heinrich Boell Stiftung Paris, vous invite à entendre des chercheurs et parlementaires sur ces réflexions, puis à débattre avec eux.
— Inscription : https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dkTCQ7d7SDaK2vBwghTtcw

9 December 2020, 3.00 PM – 4.30 PM CET

Webinar on human rights, peace and security in the Americas
Welcome to a webinar on human rights, peace and security in the Americas, organised by the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights together with the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies at Stockholm University.
— In the seminar we will discuss the impact of the Inter-American Commission and Court* on the situation for human rights, peace and security in different countries of the Americas. We will also examine the limitations to their power and the possibilities to influence the ongoing crises we see in for example Venezuela and Nicaragua. We are very pleased to be able to draw on the knowledge of prominent experts in different fields to guide us on the topic of the webinar, including the finalists of the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights student essay competition 2020!
— Panellists and presenters:
— Andrés Rivarola Puntigliano, Director of the Nordic Institute of Latin American Studies.
— Diego Rodríguez-Pinzón, Professorial Lecturer in Residence and Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law (WCL).
— Pär Engström, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights at the Institute of the Americas, University College London.
— Amalia Ydrefelt Hanell, law student, Uppsala University.
— Lovisa Kårelius, law student, Uppsala University.
— Helmer Jonelid, law student, Uppsala University.
— Moderator: Sofia Fotini Ekarv, Swedish Foundation for Human Rights
— Please register for the webinar here

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, global

Madrid : Fifth edition of the Film and Human Rights Festival

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from Soy de Madrid

The V edition of the International Film and Human Rights Festival begins on December 4 and ends on December 13. For the first time, it will be held online.

The V edition focuses on issues that are included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, from a pluralist vision and based on reconciliation and the culture of peace, It takes into account the authoritarian drift spreading around the world and the events of the pandemic.


Human rights are threatened in Spain and in the rest of the world, due to the democratic, economic, social, political, environmental and health crisis, to which is added the one derived from the pandemic. The Film Festival will screen films about the situation caused by covid-19, seeking the hope of humanity.

This year’s programming has selected more than 50 films. The Official Section is divided into Full-length Feature Films, Medium-length Films, Fiction Short Films and Documentary Short Films.

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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question for this article:

Film festivals that promote a culture of peace, Do you know of others?

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As a result of the diversity of the works, the Festival will add topics on social conflicts, disability, the elderly, culture of peace, women’s rights in the world, intolerance and extremism, development and cooperation projects, children’s rights, immigration, poverty, etc.

The films will be open and free on the festival website online for 10 days.

The Jury for the Official Section includes personalities such as Sécun de la Rosa, known for his television and film work as a comedian actor, Aida Folch, known for her role as Françoise Alcántara in the television series Cuéntame como pasa, and Mario Marzo, actor and pianist known for playing Lucas in Los Protege, among others. Click here for the rest of the jury.

Films:

The state of Texas and Melissa: directed by Sabrina Van Tassel. Her name is Melissa Lucio and for more than 10 years she has been waiting for her fate on death row. Melissa was the first Hispanic woman sentenced to death in Texas.

Under fire: directed by Sjoerd van Grootheest and Irene Vélez Torres. A group of peasant coca growers in southwestern Colombia watch the peace process break down. Over the course of three years it is shown how they survive in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.

The Conscience of Clothing – Directed by Patrick Kohl. Fashion blogger Willy Iffland and journalist Helen Fares travel to Cambodia, where they meet workers, factory owners and union activists campaigning for fair wages.

Behind the blood: directed by Loretta van der Horst. Behind the blood shows the true story of a man fighting rampant gang violence in Honduras.

Click here to consult the rest of the program.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Europe

Mexico: Virtual seminar on peace building in schools

. EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from Asi Sucede

In order to create a virtual space for the exchange of thought, research and successful experiences around peacebuilding, so that teachers can acquire harmonious intervention skills in the classroom and at school, the Secretary of Education, Gerardo Monroy Serrano, inaugurated the Virtual Seminar, Construction of Peace in the School Environment.


The Secretary of Education, Gerardo Monroy Serrano, supports the State Government in initiatives that promote the Culture of Coexistence and Social Peace in schools. (Photo: special).

The Secretary welcomed the participants convened by the Council for School Coexistence (Convive), to discuss topics such as Gender Equality, Human Rights, School Coexistence and Peaceful Conflict Management. He extended the greeting of Governor Alfredo Del Mazo Maza and his willingness to support initiatives that consolidate a Culture of Coexistence and Social Peace in schools from an early age and at all levels.

In this sense, he said that this year the Ministry of Education has trained teachers, students and parents in violence prevention and school mediation. In this way, knowledge was provided to eradicate discriminatory behavior and abuse in the schools and at the same time strengthen the culture of peace.

(Click here for the original Spanish version).

Question for this article:

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

Where is peace education taking place?

Likewise, he assured that the specialists will address topics with content that reinforce the activities in this health contingency, since the isolation of the school community can emotionally affect its environment. What is sought is to provide information that encourages tolerance, solidarity and respect within families and schools.

For this reason, he pointed out that continuous training on pedagogical, socio-affective, communication and culture of peace aspects is also offered to teachers, highlighting the preparation on School Mediation for the prevention and peaceful resolution of conflicts, where teachers provide students the possibility of having a third party sit down with them to discuss their problem.

The first participation in the Seminar was by María Isabel Sánchez Holguín, head of the Secretariat for Women, who gave the conference “Mechanisms for the incorporation of the gender perspective in study programs in basic education.”
She mentioned that, to generate educational programs with a gender perspective, it is necessary to respect the rights of girls, adolescents and women and to ensure public obligations for their security and full development at all educational levels.

Similarly, she expressed that for the fulfillment of the right to quality education, new attitudes and capacities are necessary on the part of all those who make decisions and are in charge of public policies, so that there is a comprehensive attention to gender issues.

For her part, Elizabeth Ozuna Rivero, General Director of Convive, pointed out that this Virtual Seminar, which will last for four days, will allow teachers to broaden their knowledge in order to bring learning that consolidates peaceful environments to their communities.

When making the inaugural statement of the seminar, Gerardo Monroy Serrano urged all participants to endorse the commitment that students should have a full, prosperous and safe life, in healthy environments, while receiving an inclusive, equitable and excellent education.

EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Costa Rica : An act of good sense, with global impact

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from El Pais-Costa Rica (translation by CPNN)

Remarks by Armando Vargas Araya, Ambassador of Costa Rica in Australia to a
Webinar on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the abolition of the army in Costa Rica. Australian National Center for Latin American Studies, Canberra, December 1, 2020.

The history of 72 years without a permanent army in Costa Rica, demonstrates in a convincing way that it is possible and positive to organize a State on the principles of mutual trust, peace and non-violence. Furthermore, it is consistent proof that the military, the spending on arms and wars of aggression are incompatible with the construction of a culture of peace. Nations can enjoy internal security and external defense guaranteed by the institutions of democracy, the rule of international law and multilateral organizations. The decision to abolish the army is an act of good sense, of civilizing exaltation and a bet on the common sense of human cooperation.

On transferring the Bella Vista barracks to the Ministry of Education for the National Museum, statesman José Figueres said on December 1, 1948: “We are supporters of the ideal of a new world in America. To that country of Washington, Lincoln, Bolívar and Martí, we want to say today: Oh, America! Other peoples offer you their greatness. Little Costa Rica wishes to offer you its love for civility and democracy.”

On that bright day, long-desired ideals came true. In 1825, four years after achieving independence from the Spanish Colonial Empire, the first Head of State Juan Mora Fernández warned, «”The public force – which in other States is an indispensable element of the Government – has sometimes been an ominous instrument of tyranny, a dark source of anarchy and disorder, or a plague that has devoured men and their property. Our State relies on the free consent of its children. Our militia is composed of honest citizens, peaceful farmers, artisans and workers honestly and constantly dedicated to their particular tasks … who have no other aspiration than to fulfill their domestic duties and defend the State when the authority calls them.” And in 1891, the leader of radical liberalism Félix Arcadio Montero proposed: «There will be no permanent army when peace reigns. To maintain order and ensure the safety and tranquility of citizens, the institution of the police is established.”

As stated by the French historian Fernand Braudel, “That rural town of 825,000 inhabitants, a true republic of coffee grown on the steep mountain ranges of the center of the country – where the frequency of obstacles forces us not to take our eyes off the road and to always keep our footing – chose the course of work and peace. The mountain is the refuge of freedoms, democracies and the ‘peasant’ republics’.”

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(Click here for the original version in Spanish.)

Question(s) related to this article:

Does Costa Rica have a culture of peace?

(Article continued from left column)

Here are five, among many, benefits from the abolition of the army.

Greater investment of economic resources in educational and social programs: 7.4% of GDP in education, 7.36% in public health, life expectancy of 80.4 years.

A civil and pacifist culture, which is transmitted to all aspects of daily life: 11.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants (2019), compared to 25.9 in Central America.

– World recognition as a free, democratic and peaceful nation: two external armed invasions repelled, without reestablishing the army. In the Central American security crisis of the 1980s, hegemonic pressures were resisted to restore the army.

– Institutional and political stability: since 1948 there have been 71 coups d’état in Latin America, none in Costa Rica. Eighteen consecutive presidential elections and counting.

– Attraction of foreign direct investment: US $ 2,764 billion (2018), the eighth largest recipient of FDI in Latin America.

The abolition of the army was not an isolated event but the consequence of a national trajectory. It is a dynamic process that requires adjusting to changing conditions and challenges such as rising ocean levels due to climate change, threats to public health due to viral pandemics, the exploitation of our marine wealth by foreign fleets, the indiscriminate destruction of biodiversity, terrorism and concomitant crime (attacks cybernetics), the weakening of multilateralism and new subtle forms of hegemony. Defining and updating a National Security and Defense Doctrine is a complex task as there are no examples to emulate. Demilitarization is not a bed of roses.

Costa Rica’s trajectory continues with the development of legal institutions and human rights linked to peace. In the most recent four decades, the republic made a legal commitment to the international community to comply with strict neutrality, expanded fundamental rights to include the right to peace guaranteed to each inhabitant, prohibited the manufacture and import of weapons of war, decided to educate to the new generations in a culture of peace and mutual trust, hosted the headquarters of the University for Peace. In multilateral forums, it has promoted initiatives such as the Arms Trade Treaty, the Central American Peace Plan or the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. With good reason, the candidacy presented by Scandinavian academics and parliamentarians for five consecutive years prospered, when the People of Costa Rica were awarded the 1987 Nobel Peace Prize.

There are 23 member states of the United Nations that do not have a permanent army: the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, the Republic of Haiti, Iceland, the Republic of Kiribati, the Principality of Liechtenstein , the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Mauritius, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Palau, The Republic of Panama, the Independent State of Samoa, the Republic of San Marino, the Solomon Islands, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu, the Republic of Vanuatu and the Vatican City State. Perhaps the time has come to bring these nations together with objectives such as giving voice to positions against the arms race and war, fostering the development of a culture of peace and mutual trust, promoting academic studies and comparative research on security and defense in countries without permanent army, share their experience with other peoples who choose the same peaceful path, recognize with an annual award those who stand out in their struggles for peace and mutual understanding.

In their struggles for peace and mutual understanding. Classical Greece and the Helvetic Federation guided the course of humanity. Like them, in the future, these nations located in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, Europe, the Indian and Pacific Oceans could also do.

A Mediterranean philosopher advanced: “If humanity writes the future, not with blood, but with spirit, Costa Rica, I predict, will contribute in a valuable way to the rational and reasonable reunion of men.” Our conviction is that, in the space of ideas and the perspective of constructive initiatives, there are no large, medium or small countries: all States are equal. War and peace affect us all equally. Blessed are the peacemakers.

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