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English bulletin March 1, 2024

CULTURE OF PEACE AS A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

The United Nations Summit for the Future, planned for September 2024, calls for a vision for the future. In their proposals submitted to the Summit some have proposed that it should re-commit the UN to the culture of peace.

In her proposal, Anne Creter says that “Culture of Peace is a comprehensive, UN established “blueprint” or “roadmap” of actions necessary at all levels of existence to manifest sustainable peace.” She sites in particular the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace A/RES/53/243 adopted by the General Assembly (GA) in 1999, saying that it “must be integrated into A Pact for the Future.”

In her proposal, Myrian Castello calls for “future characterized by sustainability, inclusivity, and a culture of peace.” She promotes specifically the Declaration for the transition to a culture of peace in the XXI Century.

In their proposal, the International Alliance of Women “recalls the banner in front of the NGO peace tent in Huairou during the 4th UN World Conference on Women 1995 reading “Change the Culture of War to a Culture of Peace”.

And in his proposal, Paul Malliet asks for a UN Council of Peace that could eventually make up for the impotence of the Security Council. He calls attention to the UN A/RES/52 -243. “Declaration and Programme for a culture of peace”; as an existing initiative that requires structure to be effective.

A vision of a transition to a global culture of peace through radical reform of the United Nations is provided in the utopian novella, I have seen the promised land.

The countries of the Global South plan to play a major role in the UN Summit. Concluding from their Summit that took place in January in Kampala they says that the more than 100 countries involved “hope to play an influential role in shifting the balance of the geopolitical landscape from conflict, confrontation and mistrust to diplomacy, dialogue, peace and understanding.”

Although the outcome document of the Summit of the Global South is devoted primarily to economic reform, it does make explicit reference to the culture of peace: “We reaffirm that there can be no sustainable development without peace and no peace without sustainable development. We stress the importance of building a culture of peace by strengthening multilateralism based on international law. . . ”

News of the Summit of the Global South was reported in English in at least 33 countries of the Global South, and probably many others in local languages. However, despite the participation of high-level representatives of more than 100 countries, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the UN General Assembly, the Summit received ABSOLUTELY NO mention by the major English-language news agencies of Europe and North America! As published in French in the journal L’Humanité , it was “un événement totalement passé sous silence dans les pays occidentaux.”

Among other visions, youth participants in the Luanda Biennale Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace say that “The spirit of the Biennale of Luanda inspires a new generation of young Africans that paved the way towards a peaceful and prosperous Africa.”

The culture of peace as a vision for the future is promoted in the recent book published in Norwegian by Ingeborg Breines: The Culture of Peace – Utopia or Alternative Security Policy? The author brings to the forefront a series of guiding documents, inspiring projects and publications such as the International Year for a Culture of Peace, the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World, the Manifesto 2000 on a Culture of Peace, the Seville Declaration on Violence, the Statement on Women’s Contribution to a Culture of peace, the Declaration on the Right to Peace and not least the Constitution of UNESCO.

Vince Two Eagles writes from the Sioux Indian Reservation of South Dakota that “In 1999, the General-Assembly adopted, by resolution 53/243, the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which serves as the universal mandate for the international community, particularly the United Nations system, to promote a culture of peace and non-violence that benefits all of humanity, including future generations.”

Readers are invited to sign declarations and manifestos for peace.

The most recent is the Manifesto for Peace Media in the XXI Century which includes among its demands to “Carry out a preventive, slow and contextualized journalistic work that contributes to the de-escalation of conflicts and prioritizes the prospects for peace, before, during, and after the outbreak of violence.” The Manifesto is open for signatures here.

A Declaration of Peace, conceived and promoted by the organization World Beyond War, has now been signed by people in 196 countries. It says “I understand that wars and militarism make us less safe rather than protect us, that they kill, injure and traumatize adults, children and infants, severely damage the natural environment, erode civil liberties, and drain our economies, siphoning resources from life-affirming activities. I commit to engage in and support nonviolent efforts to end all war and preparations for war and to create a sustainable and just peace.” The Declaration is open for signatures here.

And specific for a culture of peace, the Declaration for the Transition to a Culture Of Peace in the XXII Century describes strategies in two simultaneous routes: local and global. The local route is fundamentally pedagogical and is carried out mainly by organized civil society with the support of local governments. The global route involves the expansion of the UN General Assembly, along with the formation of an international security council of mayors that would issue regular press releases demonstrating that the culture of peace could be achieved if the United Nations were governed by “we the peoples.” The Declaration is open for signatures here.

As discussed in a blog this month, during times of radical change, a collective vision for a new social order, such as that for a culture of peace, could give shape to the future.

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY



The UN Summit of the Future: a fight at the end of the tunnel?

HUMAN RIGHTS



World Court to Review 57-Year Israeli Occupation

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT



Greenpeace: Here are the REAL culprits of the agricultural crisis in France

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION



The Biennale of Luanda 2023 – Through eyes of its young participants

  

WOMEN’S EQUALITY



Proposal to the UN Summit of the Future from the International Alliance of Women

EDUCATION FOR PEACE



Johan Galtung: In Memoriam

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY



Powerful Protest Against Racism Sweeps Germany

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION



Manifesto for Peace Media in the 21St Century

How can we carry forward the work of the great peace and justice activists who went before us?

As we look back over the past few years of CPNN articles, we find many articles about great peace and justice activists who went before us. The photo above comes from The Elders, the group of leaders organized under the sponsorship of Nelson Mandela before his death. They continue to find ways to carry on his work for peace and justice.

I recall the moment that we learned of the death of Martin Luther King. Immediately, we said “it is our task to make sure that his work goes forward to such a extent that he becomes an even greater force for peace and justice after his death than before!”

And so our participation in the weaving of the grand tapestry of human history ensures an immortality to those who have gone before us. They may have died as physical beings, but the essence of their lives continues to grow and thrive in the work that we do for peace and justice.

This is a theme in my book Psychology for Peace Activists, where I draw lessons from the stages of consciousness development of great peace and justice activists (including Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela) than can serve as guidelines for our own development.

– David Adams, CPNN Coordinator

Here are the CPNN articles on this subject:

Johan Galtung: In Memoriam

In memoriam: Betty Reardon (1929-2023)

Daniel Ellsberg Has Passed Away. He Left Us a Message.

In memoriam: Walid Slaïby, co-founder Academic University College for Non-Violence & Human Rights (Lebanon)

Mikhail Gorbachev: The Last Statesman

The Elders mourn the loss of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Articles from 2023

Now displaying CPNN news in English during 2023.
Click on the numbered pages below to see all.
For articles from other years, click 2024 or 2022 or 2021 or 2020 or 2019 or 2018 or 2017 or 2016 or 2015 or prior to 2015.
For English articles by category or region, click Read on the menu above.

CPNN by region

Region tag for CPNN articles from 2015 through 2023

Global = 720

Latin America = 600

Africa = 432

Europe = 392

North America = 345

United Nations = 304

Asia = 249 (see below)

Arab & Mideast = 240

– – –

East Asia = 145

South & Central Asia = 104

How can media from the Global South break the media hegemony of the Global North?


This question was considered as follows in The History of the Culture of War:

The most significant development in the culture of war over the course of history has been the increasing importance of the control of information. In parallel with the developments of the printing press, the telephone and radio, television and now internet, the control of these media has been crucial for the maintenance or changing of political power, no less for bourgeois democracy than for authoritarian regimes. We have already mentioned one example: the important role of television in electoral campaigns, and how it provides an ever-increasing advantage to those who are wealthy or have access to wealth.

In recent years control of the media has greatly reinforced the culture of war of the state and military-industrial complex. Never before in history has there been such a concentration of communication power in the hands of a few multi-national corporations, Most media in the United States, for example, are now in the hands of five multi-national corporations. There was popular resistance to this a few years ago, but the media monopolies were supported by the responsible government agency, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). The FCC was stocked with appointments of the Bush administration and headed by the son of General Colin Powell, the Secretary of State in the Bush administration who initiated the war in Iraq.

At the international level, a particularly revealing moment occurred when UNESCO considered implementation of the proposals of the International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems (UNESCO 1980). This is usually called the MacBride report after its chairman, the Nobel Peace Laureate Sean MacBride. The MacBride report recognized the dominance of Northern media and called for the “democratization of communication at national and international levels”:

[page 111]: “We can sum up by saying that in the communication industry there are a relatively small number of predominant corporations which integrate all aspects of production and distribution, which are based in the leading developed countries and which have become transnational in their operations. Concentration of resources and infrastructures is not only a growing trend, but also a worrying phenomenon which may adversely affect the freedom and democratization of communication . . ”

[page 253]: “Our conclusions are founded on the firm conviction that communication is a basic individual right, as well as a collective one required by all communities and nations. Freedom of information — and, more specifically the right to seek, receive and impart information — is a fundamental human right; indeed, a prerequisite for many others. The inherent nature of communication means that its fullest possible exercise and potential depend on the surrounding political, social and economic conditions, the most vital of these being democracy within countries and equal, democratic relations between them. It is in this context that the democratization of communication at national and international levels, as well as the larger role of communication in democratizing society, acquires utmost importance.”

When it looked like they could not block implementation of the MacBride Report, the United States and the United Kingdom withdrew from UNESCO, effectively removing a majority of its operational budget and putting enormous pressure on their allies that remained in the organization. When I was at UNESCO in the 1990s there was no question but that this topic had become taboo for the organization. And meanwhile the concentration of the power of media in the hands of the wealthy continues to grow. As A. J. Liebling once wrote, “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one”.

Here are CPNN articles bearing on this question:

Media outlets of developing countries call for louder voice of Global South

Media Organizations From Global South Discuss Solidarity and Standing Up to Sanctions

English bulletin October 1, 2023

. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE .

According to our survey of the Internet there was an increase in participation in the International Day of Peace this year. This was true in all regions of the world except for Africa and the Arab and Middle Eastern States.

There were more actions in Russia and the Ukraine, especially in schools and universities, but they many were greatly complicated by the war. Most simply wished for peace, often expressed by cutting paper doves or origami and hanging them for all to view or giving them to people. But many other actions explicitly supported the soldiers on their side of the war. In the events in schools of the Ukraine, many called for victory. And some events in schools of Russia were carried out by army representatives recruiting for the war. Since criticism of their war effort is forbidden, it could not be directly expressed on Russian websites. However, in a few cases, it was indirectly expressed in the form of anti-war cartoons that we have reproduced.

As usual, the greatest number of actions took place in Europe. In France, thanks to the mobilization by Mouvement de la Paix and militant trade unions, there were actions in half of the one hundred departments of the country bearing the multi-colored flag of peace. In Belgium, most towns and cities took part in the action of raising the peace flag above the town hall. There were actions in 42 towns and cities of Italy this year. Especially touching was the Italian school that planted a cherry tree in memory of their favorite bear who recently died. The bear was named “Black Cherry” because she was especially fond of this fruit. And especially unusual was the football tournament in the Rebibbia women’s prison near Rome. The director of the prison said “We wanted to celebrate the International Day of Peace through sport, which has always been fertile ground for exalting the values of solidarity, fairness and respect for others.”

Also as usual, the next largest mobilization was in North America, involving 43 of the 50 United States and 4 Canadian provinces. Often, an entire city was mobilized, as was the case in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Montreal. The United Nations devoted the day to a program involving youth from around the world and their contemporary culture. In his annual message, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres referred to the deadly fires, raging floods and soaring temperatures around the world and called for action to “end the war on our planet and its natural gifts.”

There was a great increase in actions this year in Asia and the Pacific. This was especially evident in Japan, where there were 28 actions, including 13 where high schools participated in a project to draw large-scale calligraphy for peace. In India and Nepal, we found 17 actions carried out by a variety of civil society organizations including Scouts and Guides, Lions Club and Rotary, as well as schools and universities.

The greatest increase in actions this year was in Latin America. This included 28 actions in Brazil, 15 in Mexico and 14 in Argentina, as well as action in 14 other countries. In 10 of these countries, actions were carried out at a government level. At the level of municipal authorities: Esquel, Mendoza and Puerto Genera San Martín in Argentina; Campo Grande, Guarulhos, Juazeiro and Ourinhos in Brazil; Medellin and Popayan in Colombia; Holguin in Cuba; Quito in Ecuador; and provincial authorities in La Altagracia, Dominican Republic and Merida and Queretero in Mexico. National government authorities were involved in Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Venezuela.

There were fewer actions in Africa, 59 this year compared to 74 last year. In the states of central Africa torn by conflict and trying to separate from European neo-colonialism, the occasion was used to call for dialogue and non-violence. Actions in this regard took place in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan and Togo. Angola took the occasion of the International Day of Peace to announce the third edition of the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace that will take place later this year. Of special importance, given the vulnerability of Africa to the effects of global warming, was the initiative for planting of trees in Kenya.

There were fewer actions in Arab States and the Middle East this year, but the good news is the increased dominance of the voice of women. In Kuwait, The Women’s Institute for Development and Peace used the occasion of Peace Day to announce the formation of an Arab Women’s Network for Peace. And in Syria, the office of the Kurdistan Women’s Union hosted a dialogue session for the International Day of Peace calling for an end to violence and armament and for a comprehensive and just political solution that saisfies all parties in Syria.

In addition to the actions listed above, there were some virtual events on an international scale, including the following:
° Women as Powerful Agents of Transformation for Peace
° Peace One Day
° Peace Education Day
° Service Civil International: The many ways of peace and antimilitarism
° NoWar2023 Conference: Nonviolent Resistance to Militarism

Fortunately, the last two events specifically attacked the culture of war, unlike most events that took place this year for the International Day of Peace. This is important, as pointed out in our most recent blog.

GLOBAL



What has happened this year: International Day of Peace

UNITED STATES AND CANADA



United States and Canada: International Day of Peace

EUROPE



Europe: International Day of Peace

ASIA AND PACIFIC

Asia and Pacific: International Day of Peace

  

EX-SOVIET COUNTRIES

Ex-Soviet Countries: International Day of Peace

ARAB STATES AND MIDDLE EAST



Arab States And Middle East: International Day of Peace

LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN

Latin America and Caribbean: International Day of Peace

AFRICA

Africa: International Day of Peace

Latin America and the Caribbean: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

A survey by CPNN

The following 85 actions in 17 Latin American countries include those listed in Google during the weeks of September 17-28 this year under the key words “International day of peace”, “Dia Internacional da Paz” and “Día Internacional de la Paz”

About 50 actions are listed in One Day One Choir and Montessori schools singing for peace, but except for 4 actions listed here because they were new this year, there is no indication which events took place this year and which took place only in previous years.


The children of Santa Rita, Brazil

Here are excerpts from the articles.

ARGENTINA

BUENOS AIRES: The Montessori School, Sunrise Jardín Oficial Trilingüe joined Montessori schools all over the world to sing for peace on the International Day of Peace to light a candle for peace, for love, for life!

BELLVILLE: This Thursday is the International Day of Peace and the Casa del Niño began with the celebrations. . . Young people from Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, who were joined by the host entity to 4th, 6th and 7th year students, together with their vice principal Elisa Gassman and different teachers, shared a breakfast and then games. In addition, foreign visitors gave souvenirs and tasted with the children some typical foods from their countries, as well as typical dances from the countries they represented.

CORDOBA: REDIPAZ and the Open Chair Right to Peace and Coexistence in Diversity of the Provincial University of Córdoba, invite you to join the events and activities that we will organize within the framework of the UPC Peace Month. Every September 21, the International Day of Peace is celebrated , which is why, from the Provincial University of Córdoba, we will develop a series of events aimed at promoting the culture of peace. On Monday , September 25, from 4 p.m. we will hold the meeting of “Young Builders of Coexistence” in the Sala Mayor of the Ciudad de las Artes Theater. The meeting seeks to generate a space for the exchange of experiences by young people, related to the construction of peaceful, inclusive, democratic, safe and resilient coexistence. The event will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the Provincial University of Córdoba .

ESQUEL: September 21 is the International Day of Peace, a date established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. This morning an event was held in front of the Esquel peace post. Present were the mayor of Esquel, Sergio Ongarato, the president of the Deliberative Council of Esquel, Gerardo Filippini, councilor Rubén Álvarez, representatives of Rotaratc, National Gendarmerie, Regiment 3, Communities of Esquel, the president of Rotary, Cecilia López Castaño, and the president of the HZE Cooperator, María Cecilia Guitart.

MENDOZA: The City raised the Flag of Peace on the municipal esplanade. The event was held within the framework of the International Day of Peace. The president of the Honorable Deliberative Council, Horacio Migliozzi, was present at this event, along with the Secretaries of Government, Rodrigo Olmedo, of Tourism and Culture, Felipe Rinaldo and other municipal authorities. Also, members of the Mil Milenios de Paz Foundation and guests from the foundation and the municipality participated in this event.

PUERTO GENERAL SAN MARTÍN: The Niño Jesús School together with the Municipality of Puerto General San Martín, organized this morning the event for the International Day of Peace with an emotional meeting in Plaza San Martín, to reaffirm once again the commitment to work together in fraternity and solidarity building a peace that guarantees justice, leaving aside differences, to work on them and make them tools that lead to growth and strengthening of people. The event was attended by the president of the Municipal Council, Juan Manuel De Grandis, the director of the Niño Jesús School, Susana Petrocelli, the secretary of Education, Culture and Sports, Sebastián Lezcano, the illustrious citizen, Elsa Patterer, representatives of educational establishments, teachers and students, and neighbors in general. Father Gerardo Iachini expressed some allusive words in front of everyone present.

PUERTO MADRYN: Within the framework of the International Day of Peace that is commemorated every September 21, this Friday morning, authorities from the Foundation Mil Milenios de Paz met with the head of the Puerto Madryn Addiction Prevention Directorate , Claudia Ricciotti , and members of the School of Social Psychology “Building Alternatives”, in order to begin projecting the different actions that will be carried out during the current month. The agenda will include soccer teams framed in the municipal “Football Night” program, and recreational and exchange activities with those present, “in order to re-educate about the importance of good treatment, non-violence, peaceful coexistence and solidarity.” , which will allow us to project a better Madryn every day,” the Foundation highlighted.

PUERTO MADRYN – SCHOOL 84: The creation of a mural began to make visible the different actions we carry out each year in commemoration of the International Day of Peace. This year it takes place at school No. 84 “Manuel Belgrano” in the city of Puerto Madryn. It will be the closing of a joint program that we will integrate during this week with directors, teachers, assistants and 6th grade students from school No. 84, and Social Psychologists from the Construyendo Alternativas School, with the aim of educating the importance of good treatment, solidarity, empathy, equality, and love as fundamental points to be able to “build a better world together.”

SAN JUAN: On September 21, International Peace Day, a release of origami doves and messages of peace will be held as a way to raise awareness about the need for human beings to live in harmony. We will work together with schools and the general public to make doves out of recycled paper using the origami technique. These doves will be exhibited in different sectors of the museum along with messages referring to the importance of peace for each person. The community is invited to participate in this activity and exchange a message for a dove or vice versa.

SAN NICOLAS: The Ambassador of Peace designated by the Mil Milenios de Paz Foundation, Graciela Esquilino, and the president of the San Nicolás War Veterans Center, MGV Luis Feldmann, invite the community to participate in the second event for the International Day of Peace, to be held on Thursday, September 21.

SANTA FE: Colegio de Abogados. The International Day of Peace and the day of the Santafesino Prejudicial Mediator. We invite you to participate in the activity by registering in the following form: Organized by: Mediation Center – Institute of Conflict Resolution Means – Training Institution No. 25

SUNCHALES: Within the framework of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, which is commemorated every September 21 throughout the world, an activity alluding to the theme will be carried out from the Space for Interreligious Dialogue next to the House of Pax Culture. You are especially invited to participate in this initiative that aims to be a moment to share a time of reflection together, understanding that all people have a role to play in the promotion and construction of Peace. The event will last an estimated 45 minutes and will feature at the closing with the boys’ and girls’ choir from the Crearte Cultural Space in Sunchales.

USHUAIA: The Secretary of Culture and Education, Belén Molina, and the Secretary of Parliamentary Relations Omar Becerra, participated in the event for the International Day of Peace that took place in the Plaza Campana de la Paz, together with representatives of the Mil Milenios de Paz Foundation, Armed Forces and Security and neighbors.

VILLA MARIA: The Internationalization Secretariat of the National University of Villa María, the English Language Faculty of the Academic Pedagogical Institute of Human Sciences of the National University of Villa María (UNVM) and the Speakeasy Bookstore invite you to participate in the “Pequeñas great actions for peace between peoples”, leaving a message in English or Spanish of affection and optimism for adults and older adults, young people and children from all over the world.

BOLIVIA

EL ALTO: El Alto, September 1, 2023.- The institutions part of the EIRENE program reaffirmed this Friday their commitment to work for peaceful coexistence, and launched the “Build peace. Give love” with Sumankaña, a vizcacha that promotes good treatment. The campaign was presented within the framework of the celebration activities for the “International Day of Peace”, which is commemorated on September 21. The institutions that are part of the EIRENE program, in the city of El Alto, are the Civil Service for Peace, CCC Chaqui, Focapaci, OMAK, Sepamos and Pueblo Diferente, which work through spaces for dialogue and violence prevention actions, promoting the culture of peace in the population of El Alto and other municipalities of the department of La Paz. Among the activities will be an art festival for peace, the symposiums “Communication for Peace”, “Mediation and conciliation”, “Peaceful and harmonious coexistence” and the XIV Festival Fair for the International Day of Peace.

BRAZIL

SENADO: This Thursday (21/9), the International Day of Peace is celebrated. In celebration of the date, the Embassy of Peace brought together authorities from different sectors of society in the Petrônio Portela auditorium, in the Senate, with the aim of promoting dialogues on peace. The event was led by actress, presenter and peace ambassador, Maria Paula Fidalgo. The moment was attended by humanitarian leaders, authorities, artists, medal-winning Paralympic athletes, activists and monks, who gave moving speeches. A Hiroshima survivor was also present. . . . The moment also included a performance organized by instrumentalist Isabel Nabuco, together with the band PestaLovers, from the Associação Pestalozzi de Brasília.

BLUMENAU: The International Day of Peace is celebrated every year by students from the Family Secretariat (Pró-Família), with some action. This year, it was circular dancing. The collective dance is performed with the aim of integrating groups and strengthening values ​​of empathy, understanding and belonging. And that’s what the students felt. “It was really good, I loved it, I felt a lot of unity,” said Luiza Roth, 70 years old, a student at Pró-Família. Her colleague, Vanil Terres, 82, agreed: “I felt a lot of peace, love in my heart.”

CAMPINAS: Tree Day and International Peace Day, both celebrated on September 21, are the object of the special program that will be developed this Thursday morning, at the Joaquim Egídio Environmental Station, with the participation of community residents, students from the Francisco Barreto Leme State School, the Mata Ciliar Association, and members of the Municipal Council of the Culture of Peace of Campinas (Compaz). The program goes from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with live music, sowing, planting, walking and various environmental education activities. The opening of the event will be made by the secretary of SVDS, Rogério Menezes. “The act of tree planting, on Tree Day, is a reflection on the importance of forests, the importance of urban afforestation and the dependence on individual and society actions to achieve a result. So, it’s acting locally and thinking globally,” says Menezes.

CAMPO GRANDE: Councilor Ronilço Guerreiro is the new Ambassador of Peace in Brazil. He received the title in today’s ordinary session at the Campo Grande City Council and the certificate was delivered by the universal ambassador for peace, Delasnieve Miranda Daspet de Souza, who used the Tribune of the Casa de Leis to speak about the International Day of Peace, which is celebrated today.

CAMPO LIMPO: This Thursday (21), the Unified Education Centers (CEUs) promote a series of actions to celebrate the International Day of Peace established by the United Nations. The actions take place in seven CEUs in the DRE Campo Limpo region, south of São Paulo, and include activities with student groups, peace walks, cultural presentations, lectures and conversation circles.

CARAVANA DA PAZ: The Brazil Peace Caravan was created by a group of people who aim to build a better world guided by a Culture of Peace Participate by sending a video answering what is Peace for you and what is fundamental for our Planet to achieve Peace? Our invitation is for you, and people in your network or institution who are interested, to record a short video answering the question: What is Peace for you and what is fundamental for Planet Earth to achieve Peace?We will use these videos in the caravan media and at the end of our meeting. Our intention is to generate a great collective vibration so that Peace is a path of regeneration for the entire Planet Earth

CASCAVEL: On International Day of Peace, a special message. All municipal departments, Transitar and the Public Ministry form a social protection network to carry out awareness-raising and combating violence actions. Today, with balloons, banners and leaflets, they spoke to drivers in front of the main church. Traffic violence is one of the areas of concern. And drivers recognize that more calm is needed on the streets and roads.

FRANCISCO BELTRÃO: Chanting “A Paz”, by the band Roupa Nova”, the students of Colégio Glória unveiled, yesterday afternoon, the 21st, a mantle of peace. With 72 m², the material was made by all the institution’s students – from kindergarten to high school – and is displayed on the facade, facing Rua Tenente Camargo, in Francisco Beltrão. The initiative is part of an action in honor of the International Day of Peace, celebrated this Thursday. “We are a school associated with the Pea Unesco Network, so every year we promote a culture of peace inside and outside the school. Each one made their own scrap, representing what they want to convey in this cream and we put it together, transforming it into a cloak”, explained the coordinator of primary education at Colégio Glória, Edileide Kielba.

GUARULHOS: This Thursday (21), International Day of Peace, the City Hall is promoting the third edition of Guarulhos de Mãos Dadas pela Paz in the main tent of Bosque Maia, from 8am to 11am. At 8:30 am, those present will be able to explore the harmony of peace through the circular dance workshop, promoted by the Guarulhos focalizers. At 10am, an emblematic action will be carried out by the artist and also participant in the circular dances, Renate Sewing Hammer, who proposes a collective work, a unique human mandala, made with knitted threads, symbolizing the union of the community in the search for peace.

IGARASSU : Maos Promovendo A Paz. · Today, 21/09, for Peace Day, I have been to the Sacred Heart of Jesus convent in Igarassu, which runs a school with 106 girls and boys. So I have taken 120 Hearts that will be given away at lunch.

JUAZEIRO: In order to reflect on the culture of peace, schools in the municipal education network of Juazeiro, carried out on the morning of this Wednesday (06), the traditional walk commemorating the International Day of Peace, celebrated in the month of September. The action is also part of the municipality’s calendar of pedagogical activities related to September 7th, and receives full support from Juazeiro City Hall, through the Department of Education and Youth (Seduc). In total, six municipal schools participated in the walk, bringing together students, families, managers, the school community and the local community.

LAJEADO: Pacto Lajeado pela Paz organizes, on this date, Peace Day, a moment to celebrate the project’s actions and share new ideas and philosophies through lectures in the Ceat Auditorium.

MANAUS: This morning, students from the Municipal Education Network carried out the first walk for Peace, in Manaus. The action took place in commemoration of the International Day of Peace, celebrated this Thursday 21/09. The journey was taken by approximately 1,200 students from the Gilberto Rodrigues dos Santos Municipal School, located in Viver Melhor 2, in the north of the city.

MATO GROSSO DO SUL: The OAB/MS Culture Commission celebrated the International Day of Peace on the 21st, with the “Primavera da Paz” event, which included the participation of the Lyric Singing group Cant’Arte. The event was organized by the President of the Commission Deslanieve Daspet, who is also an Ambassador and Peace Activist. The night of celebration ended with the performance of the Coro Lírico Cantarte, currently made up of 25 members including choristers and soloists, made up of singing students and classical music lovers.

MINAS GERAIS: In such confusing times in the four corners of the world, reflecting on peace is a most urgent task. With this in mind, the Minas Gerais State Public Library hosts the exhibition “Peace in all languages”, presented by the Brahma Kumaris organization. The opening will take place at 10 am this Thursday, September 21st, the date on which International Day of Peace is celebrated. The exhibition will be on display at the Cultural Passarela, in the Professor Francisco Iglesias Annex building, until October 27th.

MUZAMBINHO: On September 21st, designated by the UN as International Day of Peace, school students and society as a whole will join together for a Silent Walk for Peace. The Event should last an hour and a half, with gatherings starting at 7:30 am, in front of City Hall. The walk goes to Cruzeiro da Matriz, returning to Muzambódromo for a moment of celebration, art and reflections for Peace.

OURINHOS: Senac Ourinhos will hold a free event, this Thursday, 21/9, in celebration of the International Day of Peace. , A Servant Leader will be presented by actor João Signorelli, starting at 4pm, at Concha Acústica Sérgio Nunes, located in Rua Treze de Maio, Vila Perino. With text based on original speeches and writings by spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi, the play will address reflections on leadership, non-violence and ethical and philosophical principles applied to human relationships. The activity is organized by the Senac Ourinhos Culture of Peace Committee and has the support of the Municipal Secretariat for Economic Development, Labor and Tourism of Ourinhos.

PICOS: On the eve of the International Day of Peace, the Monsenhor Hipólito Institute (IMH) held a lecture on the morning of this Wednesday, September 20th, with the theme “Peace, Everyone’s Commitment”, aimed at high school students. The event had as speaker Lieutenant Colonel Felipe, commander of the 4th BPM of Picos, who had the collaboration of the 2nd Sergeant, Sahila. The program began with a moment of reflection and prayer, followed by a lecture given by the lieutenant colonel. During the lecture, the commander addressed the importance of the relationship between the Military Police and peace, highlighting the need to promote the culture of peace in different contexts, from family life to interactions in society in general.

PORTO ALEGRE: Peace breaks down the walls of separation. It gives us the happiest moments of our lives. It is equal to equity, respect for people’s rights, justice, empathy. Help everyone who needs it. It’s a world where everyone respects each other. And the union brings peace. These are some of the ideals expressed in the Mantle of Peace produced by the students of Colégio Santa Inês, in Porto Alegre – now linked to the Project of the Network of Associated Schools of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). Throughout the month, all the classes of the school participated. The final adjustments were made on Thursday (21), the date on which the International Day of Peace is celebrated, in an activity in which students were able to reflect on the result, in addition to singing and dancing with live music.

RIO DE JANEIRO, CURITIBA, SALVADOR AND SÃO PAULO-MAOS PARA PAZ: From September 21 to 27, the organization Maos para Paz holds the 1st International Congress of Education for Peace and Nonviolence. Registration is free for all online lectures. The event brings together a wide range of participants, including organizations, public and private institutions, academics, educators, therapists, activists and students from various countries. In addition, its objective is to discuss strategies to combat hatred, xenophobia and violence, especially generated by the discourse of the ideology of fear. The Congress is a hybrid event, combining virtual lectures and face-to-face workshops in four Brazilian cities: Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and São Paulo. During the 22nd and 23rd, there will be six online sessions, with national and international speakers sharing their work and experiences, stimulating debates and reflections on various types of conflicts and how education can play a key role in reconciliation and problem solving.

SALVADOR: On the 21st, International Day of Peace the opening will take place at 7pm, in person, in Salvador, and online, with performances by the artistic groups Quabales and Sumermo Music – and the singer Tito Bahiense, all from Bahia. An interreligious act will also be held in honor of Mother Bernardete (Maria Bernardete Pacifico, ialorixá, activist and quilombola leader, born in 1951 and murdered on August 17th) and all the people killed due to their color, race, religion and gender . On Sunday, the 24th, the Walk of maos para Paz will be held, also in honor of Mother Bernardete and against Violence, starting at 9am, starting at Farol da Barra.

SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS: A whole day to celebrate peace! This was the theme developed during the month of September in all units of Fundhas (Fundação Hélio Augusto de Souza) and which culminated in an event on Thursday (21), International Day of Peace.
The main celebration took place at the headquarters of the institution, with and execution of the National Anthem and the raising of flags.
One of the highlights was a large panel with drawings of the children of the Industrial Park unit.
Those served at the South Innovation Center developed activities with the Portuguese teacher, such as a Tangram (folds that assemble words within the theme), made the origami and an acrostic (poetic composition in which a letter of each verse forms, vertically, another word).
In the Alto da Ponte unit, the students created posters and wrote notes in order to transmit peace.
The action for Peace in the Putim Unit began with the reception of those served with music A Paz. Then there was an exhibition of the legend of Tsuru in the courtyard. The action ended with tree planting. In the Center unit, the children held an art exhibition to celebrate the International Day of Peace.

SAN LUIS: Next Thursday, September 21, the Upaon-Açu School, famous for its Montessori educational approach, will celebrate World Peace Day in a remarkable way, with the symbolic delivery of the Mantle of Peace to Unesco. The Mantle of Peace, a handmade piece full of symbolism and messages produced by the school community, will be delivered during a special ceremony that will bring together students, teachers and families.

SANTA RITA: “Love is the force of peace.” This phrase echoed at the Hospital Metropolitano Dom José Maria Pires, through the songs of more than 50 children and their caregivers, who walked from Associação Casa dos Sonhos, to the hospital complex, in order to pay homage to the workers and users, for through a moment of reflection and prayers. The initiative is part of a series of actions by the Association in reference to the International Day of Peace, celebrated on September 21st.

SAO PAULO: As a PEA/UNESCO associated school, Colégio Benjamin Constant joined the “O Manto da Paz” project, which symbolizes the union of all nations under the same ideal: the search for peace, tolerance and respect. The Mantle was made collaboratively. Students from Kindergarten to High School participated actively and interestedly. This project represents UNESCO’s belief that, through cooperation and mutual understanding, we can build a more peaceful and harmonious world and also serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us that despite our differences, we are all the parts of a single human family.

SAO VICENTE: Celebrated on Thursday (21), the International Day of Peace was celebrated in several schools of the municipal network of São Vicente. The initiative of the Center for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, of the Secretariat of Education (Seduc), proposed a collective embrace involving students and professionals who work in schools and kindergartens. The idea was to dedicate 15 minutes to an activity related to the date, aiming to unite all employees and members of the school community in a welcoming moment, in addition to inspiring those involved in Education to combat intolerance, violence and disrespect. With a lot of creativity, the students participated in actions with music, games, dance, drawings, among others, ending the dynamics always with a hug.

TOCATINS: The state schools of Tocantins that are participants in the Associated Schools Program of the United Nations Educational, Science and Technology Organization (Unesco) will carry out, this Saturday, 23rd, from 8 am to 12 pm, actions aimed at International Day of Peace. Among the activities planned by the schools, we highlight the creation of the Mantle and the Flag of Peace, which will serve as symbols of the school community’s commitment to promoting peace and harmony; lectures and cultural presentations with the active participation of the school community and local community.

VIDEIRA: The International Day of Peace is celebrated on September 21st, with the aim of spreading peace, the Colégio Salvatoriano Imaculada Conceição held an action in favor of peace on Monday, the 18th, an international project that combines art and literacy called “Pinwheels for Peace”. At this event, weather vanes with messages of peace were planted in the area in front of our school, material produced by the students themselves mediated by their teachers.

CHILE

PARRAL: The State Center for Alternative Mechanisms for the Resolution of Disputes in Criminal Matters (CEMASC) held a talk with students from the Miguel Hidalgo Experimental Normal School, in Parral, to commemorate the International Day of Peace. CEMASC reaffirms its commitment to fostering a culture of peace in society, promoting peaceful societies and facilitating access to the administration of justice through mediation and conciliation.

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2023) for the International Day of Peace?



Manaus, Brazil

(Survey continued from left column)

COLOMBIA

CHAPARRAL: This September 21, the Sustaining Peace project was launched. The meeting brought together representatives of international cooperation, national government, local authorities, and local farmers, youth, women, indigenous people, Afro people and leaders of Tolima, who, from this initiative, will continue working for the collective desire to consolidate peace in the territory. Within the framework of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, the launch event took place in the municipality of Chaparral, Tolima, which with music, dance, and spirituality opened its doors to the implementation of the project. Sustaining Peace seeks to strengthen the territorial leadership that survives in these municipalities, so today’s activities had the active participation of some of the representatives of the communities of Ataco, Planadas, Chaparral and Rioblanco.

MEDELLIN: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, Medellín also celebrated the Month for Peace, which was celebrated between August and September, where social organizations, collectives and victims developed an entire territorial and citizen agenda with key programming on the importance of union and the gathering of knowledge in favor of local pacification, supported by the Secretariat of Non-Violence and the House of Memory Museum. . . . With forums, conversations, sit-ins, cultural, artistic and academic activities, the administration has supported scenarios of peaceful resistance created by citizens, which have favored the exchange of experiences and knowledge of the communities that defend life. . . . the Secretariat of Non-Violence led the conversation in the Month for Peace: Women in the construction of territorial peace with the Women’s Peaceful Route, a conversation on Peace as a fundamental right. In addition, the event Cometas por la paz territorial was supported to commemorate with the community the importance of the tutelary hill Cuchillón la Loma Hermosa, since nature, too, is a living actor impacted in the conflict, which requires restorative actions of memory and truth.

POPAYAN: On September 21, the Municipal Council of Peace, Reconciliation and Coexistence of Popayán was installed, recognizing 21 people from the different social sectors of the civil population, who assume and make up this consultative and advisory body. It is made up of members and representatives of the academy, social organizations, Afro-Colombian communities, protectors and defenders of the rights of children, girls and adolescents; artistic, cultural, LGBTI collectives and business sectors. In addition, the International Day of Peace was commemorated.

COSTA RICA

CARTAGO: The Cartago Concert Band invites you to its “Special Concert for the International Day of Peace”. Date: September 22, 2023, 6:30 pm, Municipal Amphitheater of Cartago. Cost: free

GARABITO: With the aim of celebrating the International Day of Peace , the Civic Center for Peace in Garabito (CCP) , dresses up and celebrates this Thursday, September 21 , a day full of artistic presentations that have been generated as a result of the learning of the participants of processes and workshops that are taught at their facilities. This cultural celebration will have its programming from 9 am to 2 pm , admission is free

UNIVERSIDAD ESTATAL A DISTANCIA: International Day of Peace. Activities: Collaborative games, Peace Infographic Exhibition, Infographic contest award, Conference with Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Oscar Arias Sánchez: “Through education, a culture of peace is possible”

UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA: September 21: International Day of Peace. A Student Initiatives project helps create a culture of peace in the children of La Carpio. The fifth grade boys and girls of La Carpio develop various recreational activities to learn to form a true culture of peace in their community. . . . The work of this university group in La Carpio began with a diagnosis of what the group of children thought about violence, which gave material to know how to intervene in the realities that many of these people lived. Once this preliminary step was completed, they began to develop the methodology to work with the infants, so that they have fun while developing a critical mentality; all from a horizontal treatment with the students who are in the fifth grade of La Carpio. . . . But this whole project of Student Initiatives would not have been possible if before the Bien de Mujer Foundation had not dared to found Casa Ilori in La Carpio. This instance began to operate in this town for 15 years through mathematics and Spanish reinforcement centers for the students of the school.

CUBA

HAVANA: The Day for the International Day of Peace begins this September 12 at the Manuel Fajardo Medical Faculty of the University of Cuba with a video tribute to Commander Juan Almeida Bosque who bequeathed us music and revolution, in the voice of his son Juan Guillermo Almeida with his song “Mi querido Viejo”. . .. . In the voice of Taimí Dianet López Cruz, the “World March for Peace and Nonviolence” was heard and at the closing with the outstanding participation of students, workers and directors of the entity, the FEU and the FEEM with the Ernesto Che Guevara Honorary Chair, they presented the call “For a culture of peace, non-violence and sustainable development.”

HOLGUIN: The Plaza Camilo Cienfuegos cultural complex, in the municipality of Holguín, hosted the celebrations for the International Day of Peace in the northeastern territory. Political-cultural activities and dialogues around the anniversary were developed by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) with the participation of students from the Máximo Gómez Báez, Luis Peña Martínez, Augusto César Sandino and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes educational centers.

ICAP: The headquarters of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) hosted today, the celebration of the International Day of Peace, which this year calls for the recognition of the individual and collective responsibility to promote peace.
As part of the day, the brochures Open Letter to President Joe Biden and Open Letter to the leaders of the European Union, from the Venezuelan professor and researcher, Carlos Méndez Tovar, were presented. . . . He interactively explained to a group of students from the capital’s pre-university Saúl Delgado, the importance of knowing our history and checking the veracity of the news, especially the information circulating on social networks. The meeting was attended by members of the Russian diplomatic corps, the Palestinian ambassador in Havana, Akram Samhan, and members of the network of collaborators and peace activists.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

LA ALTAGRACIA PROVINCE: In a commemorative event for the International Day of Peace , the authorities of the province of La Altagracia met to reflect on the importance of peace in the current context, after the situation that surrounds the country with the Haitian nation. At the event, Senator Virgilio Cedano explained that the Dominican Republic, historically, since 1844, the year in which independence was declared, is a country of peace. He highlighted that the Dominican Republic has never attacked any foreign country and that the internal conflicts that have occurred, as a State, as a nation, have been resolved here . . . The provincial governor Martina Pepén Santana stated that the occasion invites us to continue cultivating the values, which are so necessary in the nation. . . . For his part, the representative of the evangelical churches in the province, Pastor Ruddy Hidalgo, argued that there is a peace that comes to human beings as a result of a sustained policy thinking about values ​​and principles; thinking about the freedom of the human being in what it means to live together.

ECUADOR

LOJA: The Judiciary Council, within the framework of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace that is celebrated every September 21, since 2020, has institutionalized September as the Month of Peace, and one of the main activities it carried out The institution is the “Caravan for Peace”, an activity that left a significant mark in the Vilcabamba parish, on Saturday, September 9, 2023, through an “Open House”. This event brought together producers and entrepreneurs from the surrounding parishes, including Malacatos, Vilcabamba, San Pedro de Vilcabamba, Quinara and Yangana, the event became an epicenter of activities that celebrated cultural diversity and promoted the importance of peace in society. , attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a varied display of the region’s cultural wealth through various traditional dances and artistic performances that delighted the public, transmitting a clear message of unity and a culture of peace.

QUITO: As part of the program that promotes a Culture of Peace, the Secretariat of Education, Recreation and Sports, together with the Pan American Round Table, hold reflection days with municipal high school students. The sessions were held in the municipal educational institutions: Quitumbe, Sebastián de Benalcázar, Eugenio Espejo, Rafael Alvarado, Antonio José de Sucre, Calderón and Fernández Madrid. The goal is to reach 20 municipal educational establishments.

QUITO: The students of the Nueve de Octubre Municipal Educational Unit participated in a day of reflection, in a symbolic event for the International Day of Peace, organized by the Ministry of Education, Recreation and Sports together with the Members of the Pan American Round Table, within the framework of the Program to Promote and Foster the Culture of Peace. . . . Students received buttons with the mission of promoting a culture of peace, not only among their classmates, but in other spaces of daily coexistence.

HAITI

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Young people of both sexes from precarious neighborhoods described in theatrical performances the multifaceted violence in Haiti on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace in Port-au-Prince. au-Prince on September 21, 2023. Despite everything, they raised awareness among young people to act to promote lasting peace in Haiti. Other young people promoted this peace in songs, slams and discussions. “The culture of peace is a necessity for a stable, just and committed Haiti on the road to economic and social progress,” said the Minister of Youth, Sports and Civic Action, Raymonde Rival. The Minister invited young people to continue to get involved in various citizen initiatives in favor of peace. . . . Plus de 150 jeunes ont participé à cette commémoration.

UN MISSION: This year, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) emphasizes the creativity of the ideas inherent to the International Day of Peace by organizing with the Haiti Jazz Foundation a concert open to all, on Saturday, September 27 at Place Boyer, in the metropolitan area of ​​Port-au-Prince. According to a press release from the UN mission, Haitian musicians and artists BeethovaObas, James Germain, Misty Jean and Rutshelle Guillaume and the Congolese LokuaKanza who lives and works in France, star of world music, defender of peace and women’s rights , will together sing peace.

MEXICO

CANCUN: For the International Day of Peace, which is celebrated on September 21 around the world, the first edition of the 5 kilometer race “All for Peace” will be held in Cancun. This athletic event will take place on Saturday, September 23, with a scheduled start at 6:30 p.m. on the Malecón Tajamar and a quota of one thousand runners.

CHIAPAS: Olinka School; Within the framework of the International Day of Peace, it is a pleasure to invite you to an exciting children’s meeting focused on exploring and promoting the Culture of Peace and the Prevention of Violence in its 2023 edition. . . . Participating students must carry out the following activities during the first 4 weeks of the start of the 2023-2024 school cycle and these must be sent to the link that will be provided after registration.

CHETUMAL: More than 1,000 thousand high school students marched in the Parade for Peace this afternoon on Héroes Avenue, in the center of the state capital. With the presence of school authorities, educational center authorities and more than a thousand students, they commemorated the International Day of Peace with a parade to demand a culture of peace in the state, specifically in the city.

GUADALAJARA: The Casa Yinu Montessori joined Montessori schools all over the world to sing for peace on the International Day of Peace to light a candle for peace, for love, for life!

GUANAJUATO: San Francisco del Rincón, September 21, 2023. Before more than two thousand young people who witnessed, within the framework of the International Day of Peace, municipal instances of youth care from across the state of Guanajuato signed the Youth Peace Alliance that will promote actions in favor of peace, led by JuventudEsGTO. In addition, the projects “Newspaper for Peace” and “Comics for Peace” were presented, created by young members of the Multipliers of Peace program. . . . The “Newspaper for Peace” and “Comics for Peace” are two projects that promote the practice of values, the application of which generates a healthy coexistence in society and the formation of good citizens.

HUEJUTLA DE REYES: Within the framework of the celebration of the International Day of Peace, personnel from the State Center for Alternative Justice of the Judicial Branch of Hidalgo in the municipality, together with other invited institutions, carried out various activities in the facilities of the Municipal Kiosk of this city. In addition to personnel from the State Center for Alternative Justice of the Judiciary in Hidalgo in Huejutla, personnel from CAMI, INPI, Lawyers, Human Rights, among others, also gathered there.

MÉRIDA: In commemoration of the International Day of Peace, the Secretariat of Education of the Government of the State of Yucatán (Segey), through the Coordination for the Prevention of Violence in Basic Education ( CPREVI) held a day of activities to raise awareness about the importance of having healthy school spaces that promote good actions among children and youth. For the development of the day called “Peace to the Voice”, which took place at the Gonzalo Navarro Báez Secondary School, there was support from various areas of Segey, who together developed dynamics with the participation of more than 300 students. . . . As part of the activities, the students from the morning and afternoon shift participated, who through dance and body expression performed a dance demonstration titled “The face of peace through break dancing.”

MEXICO CITY: Within the framework of the International Day of Peace, which is celebrated on September 21 of each year, the head of the Secretariat of Government of Mexico City (SECGOB), Ricardo Ruiz Suárez, led the installation of a “Yes” module to Disarmament, Yes to Peace”, in the Chapel of the Conception, located in Plaza Tlaxcoaque, Cuauhtémoc Mayor’s Office. From this emblematic site of the Historic Center, the Secretary of Government explained that peace must be built every day through dialogue and teaching, with the aim of avoiding a “culture of war and violence.” . . . During the first hours of operation of this disarmament module, a 16-caliber shotgun and a 22-caliber revolver were delivered for destruction, for which 10,400 pesos were delivered. Since January 2019, “Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace” has removed more than 8 thousand firearms, nearly a thousand grenades, as well as more than a million cartridges from homes.

PUEBLA: The present government of Sergio Salomón, through the Ministry of Education, invites students of basic education (preschool, primary and secondary), as well as high school, to commemorate the “International Day of Peace” (September 21) . . . Through exercises that strengthen the ideals of the New Mexican School (NEM), which aims to create peaceful, safe and healthy school environments, students must carry out activities during the month of September such as: murals, music for peace, poetry contest , digital awareness campaign, letter for peace, yoga and meditation, ecological cleaning, collaborative art, photography contest, among others.

QUERETERO: The president of the Education and Culture Commission and member of the Legislative Group of the National Action Party in the LX State Legislature, Ana Paola López Birlain, inaugurated the Peace Festival ” Paz Fest”, which will be held on September 21, 22 and 23 of the current year, where there will be the participation of civil society organizations, schools and associations of professionals, universities and public institutions, among others.

QUINTANA ROO: International Day of Peace, a utopia: students of José Maria Morelos, Mayan Intercultural University of Quintana Roo (Uimqroo) concerned about world peace due to the current violence. The university students held an event (a peace wall) at the campus facilities to commemorate the International Day of Peace.

TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF JALISCO: The Technological University of Jalisco commemorated the International Day of Peace on September 21, wearing the white badge to emphasize that the university community carries out actions in favor of peace, through respect, equity, equality and inclusion. We are all parts of this community and together we take action in order to commit to promoting and maintaining peace.

VERACRUZ: The First Meeting “Thinking interdisciplinary about peace” of the National Network for Peace, of the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education : Jaqueline Jongitud Zamora, Secretary of Institutional Development of the University of Veracruz (UV), inaugurated the event in the Blue Hall of the Humanities Unit, and in her message highlighted that the UV seeks to advance the agenda of global interest through the Plan for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence 2023-2031, a document that will surely be enriched from the results of this first meeting that takes place from September 7 to 9 within the framework of the International Day of Peace.

UNITED WORLD SCHOOLS: On September 21, the International Day of Peace is celebrated. For this reason, the movement has adopted that day as “UWC Day”, a day to reflect and strengthen the ideals of peace in favor of a better world. This year “UWC Day” focuses on “Forging a sustainable future” . At a time when the effects of the climate crisis are being felt every day, particularly in the most vulnerable communities around the world, and when floods, fires, droughts, and loss of biodiversity are increasingly more frequent, we must all act to stop environmental deterioration. Thus, we hope that this topic gives us all the opportunity to take a step back to dream and, why not, re-imagine a better world in which human beings live sustainably.

YUCATAN: Women’s clothing items made by Yucatecan hands were presented on a catwalk in New York, United States within the framework of the International Day of Peace, organized by the United Nations Organization (UN). These “Mazehual” brand garments are manufactured in the “Hacienda Montecristo” (HMC) maquiladora in this Yucatecan municipality. About the exhibition, Roger Alcocer Cetina, manager of the maquiladora, shared on his social networks: “After analyzing the work carried out in our maquiladora, we were invited to present a clothing collection on the catwalk held in the city of New York, within the framework of the celebration of the International Day of Peace”. He indicated that 150 artisans work in the maquiladora who, in addition to dresses, handcraft leather bags for women, among other products that they export to several foreign countries.

PANAMA

DON BOSCO: This Thursday, September 21, which commemorates the international day of peace in many countries, Panama, under the coordination of Doctor Guerra, has planned countless activities that include a Mass at the Don Bosco Church in Calidonia, visits to educational centers for celebrate with the children, visit the peace monument in the town of Don Bosco and conferences and decorations at the University of Panama (6:pm). . . . Dr. Emelda Guerra is Supervisor of the Youth and Adult Program of the Ministry of Education and is also a member for Panama of the Organization of America for Educational Excellence and Peace since 2008.

MINISTRY: The Minister of Culture, (MiCultura) Giselle González Villarrué, representing the national government, participated together with the French ambassador in Panama, HE Aude De Amorim, in the cultural events and the planting of an olive tree that symbolizes fraternity, Peace , renewal and is also capable of withstanding adverse conditions. This activity, which was organized in the Plaza de Francia, is part of the celebration of different initiatives to be carried out on September 21 in order to strengthen the ideals of peace between nations and peoples, as a celebration that is celebrated in each country world level; . . . The special guests were the boys and girls from the United States of America, Simón Bolívar, Manuel José Hurtado and Republic of Mexico schools who were able to participate with songs and oratory dedicated to Peace. In his speech, González Villarrué highlighted that, “we must commit to teaching and putting into practice the value of tolerance and mutual respect to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” He added that “more must be invested in a culture for peace, which will build a just and inclusive world that embraces diversity and inclusion.”

PARAGUAY

NATIONAL CONGRESS: The office of Congressman Freddy Franco (PLRA-Central) is engaged in the organization of an “International Leadership Conference in commemoration of the International Day of Peace”, an event to be held next Friday, September 20, at 7 a.m. :00 to 12:00 hours. The activity, to be carried out in the Bicameral Chamber of the National Congress, has the support of the Federation for Universal Peace-Paraguay Chapter, which is part of a global network of organizations that seek to build a world of peace.

PERU

CHIMBOTE: Engineer Luis Gamarra Alor, mayor of the province of Santa, led the emotional Sunday raising ceremony and the massive walk in Chimbote, in commemoration of the International Day of Peace. Accompanied by municipal authorities, councilors, officials and employees of the Provincial Municipality of Santa, the tour was carried out along Pardo Avenue to the front of the provincial commune, where they joined the residents of the towns in the flag-raising ceremony. This walk was established as a preamble to the International Day of Peace, designated by the United Nations in 1981, and celebrated every September 21. During the event, the inhabitants of Chimbote wore white t-shirts and released balloons of the same color, symbolizing the desire for peace.

LIMA: The International Day of Peace was celebrated at Markham College on September 22.

PUERTO RICO

PONCE: The CEscuela Flor de Loto Montessori joined Montessori schools all over the world to sing for peace on the International Day of Peace to light a candle for peace, for love, for life!

VEGA ALTA: The Antonio Paoli school joined Montessori schools all over the world to sing for peace on the International Day of Peace to light a candle for peace, for love, for life!

URUGUAY

PARLIAMENT: This afternoon in the Acuña de Figueroa Room, in the José Artigas building, the meeting “ The challenge of establishing Peace in a Globalized World” was held , within the framework of September 21 declared by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace. In this instance, the following spoke: the President of the Foundation for Peace, Raúl Rey; the President of Youth and Students for Peace, Valeria Pellejero; the Secretary General of ALADI, Dr. Sergio Abreu; the Anthropologist and President of the 21st Century Oriental Ladies Association, Mag. Virginia Rial; the President of the District Public Image Committee of Rotary Uruguay, Cono Rossi; the President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace, Marisa Machado. In the second instance they stated: the founder of the ATABAQUE Group, Mae Susana Andrade de Oxun; for the Baha”I Community of Uruguay, Sima Baher; Ahmadia Muslim Community Missionary, Yousaf Khan; the President of the Costa Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Adolfo Ferrari and the President of the Federation of Families for World Peace, Kazuhiro Tsusaka.

VENEZUELA

CEPAZ: We are very happy to be able to share that on September 21, 2023 we will begin the seventh edition of the 12 Actions for Peace. We want to invite you from the Justice and Peace Center (Cepaz) to be part of this collective activism, which last year managed to add hundreds of people taking actions and 124 organizations promoting the campaign. On this occasion we want to make visible the pillars of the women’s peace and security agenda (Resolution 1325) and the work of women and organizations that support other women affected by the complex humanitarian emergency.

PRESIDENT: The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, remembered today the International Day of Peace and affirmed that it is built from respect, recognition and coexistence. That is the path of the Bolivarian Republic and “we will always insist on building a world without hatred or violence, where human solidarity and social justice prevail,” the head of state wrote on his X account, formerly Twitter.

Local resistance actions: can they save sustainable development?

There is a growing movement to resist development projects that destroy the natural environment. And we raise the question, can these resistance movements save sustainable development. A test case is developing in France where the resistance movement is continuing to grow despite efforts by the government to crush it.

Here are the relevant CPNN articles.

Greta Thunberg, 40+ Other Climate Activists Block Entrance to Swedish Parliament

France: Les Résistantes 2023 – meetings of local and global struggles

France: “You are, we are, Earth Uprisings”

The Gloria Fuertes School of Andorra demonstrates the “transformative power of education” at the UNESCO National Meeting of Schools

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from La Comarca (republished by permission – translation by CPNN)

(See also The Unesco Schools Meeting in Andorra to strengthen the culture of peace).

“In these times, with frequent hate speech and violence, I only hope that the essence of what was built 41 years ago with this school lives forever and stays with you.” This is how Lola Oriol, director of the Gloria Fuertes Public School of Special Education in Andorra, concluded the XXXIV National Meeting of UNESCO Schools, which was hosted this year by the center. She received the applause of the 130 participating teachers from all over the world, before which The Friends of Andorra Folklore filled the room with music to conclude an event that “has been a success” and that, above all, has shown “the transformative power of education.”


The UNESCO National Meeting of Schools is organized every year in an educational center in Spain. Last year it was held in Zumaia (Guipuzkoa) and it had not been in Andorra for 28 years. At that time, in 1995, the Gloria Fuertes hosted the eighth UNESCO Schools Meeting, leaving an “indelible memory” for the most veteran people in the network, a feeling that will also be repeated after this year’s meeting. “Being able to carry out this meeting has been the dream of my life,” said Oriol.

(This article is continued in the column on the right.)

(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

Question for this article:

What is the relation between peace and education?

Will UNESCO once again play a role in the culture of peace?

(Article continued from left column)

The events of the meeting began on Monday and lasted until this Thursday (July 3-6) with conferences, different working group sessions and a round table with experts on the territory’s heritage. In these three days, there was also no shortage of important symbols for Andorra and the rest of the towns in the region, such as the drums and bass drums on the route or visits to “must-see” places such as the Centro Pastor and the Iberian settlement ‘El Cabo’ in the mining town . Representatives of UNESCO Schools from different parts of Spain, and other more distant places such as Angola, Portugal, Poland, Argentina or Cuba were able to discover them. And all this without neglecting the opportunity to taste products from Teruel and enjoy a night of live music and tapas through the streets of the town organized by the Andorra-Sierra de Arcos and Bajo Martín Business Association under the name ‘La noche del Gloria’.

Among the objectives pursued by this meeting are: to promote cooperation, the exchange of knowledge and collaborative associations between similar schools throughout the Spanish territory; highlight the four pillars of education – learning to know, learning to do, learning to be and learning to live together; and act as a laboratory of ideas to stimulate innovative and creative pedagogies to put global concepts into practice in the school.

The three intense days of activity served to set the work objectives to achieve the next course from the Gloria Fuertes School. «Everything will be closely linked to the prevention of bullying and abuse. In addition, we will also work on sustainability issues, something in which we have been immersed for five years now through the ‘Desplastify’ project, with which we seek to raise awareness about the use of plastic in our lives”, explained Oriol.

These objectives will also add value to the heritage of the territory, another of the themes that was present on more than one occasion during the meeting and which could also include the role that Gloria Fuertes fulfills for hundreds of families.

Next year the meeting will be in Aguilar del Campoo (Palencia), although the Andorra special education school will keep its doors open “forever” to all those who made this edition possible this year. «We carry out many events, but I think this has been the most important. For me, it has been the culmination of my life. It has become clear that our school, the Gloria Fuertes, radiates light and people have been able to capture it. I can’t do anything other than say thank you,” its director concluded emotionally.

English bulletin June 1, 2023

LATIN AMERICA AND AFRICA: CONTINUING LEADERSHIP

To begin the year 2023, we said that one bright spot for the preceding year was the advance of the culture of peace in Latin America and Africa.

Now, as we enter the second half of 2023, we see that this continues; the culture of peace continues to advance on these continents (see discussion : “Latin America, has it taken the lead in the struggle for a culture of peace?”).

We begin on the highest level, the meeting of the G7 countries. While the countries of Europe, North America and Japan continue to promote the culture of war, it was the newly-elected President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who addressed the meeting with a message of the culture of peace. It was Lula a few months earlier, who refused the demands of the United States to contribute to the war in Ukraine, saying that “Brazil Is a Country of Peace.

Not just words, but actions for a culture of peace mark the first few months of the new administration in Brazil.

With the potential for a major change on the global level, the first event of President Lula da Silva’s visit to China in April was the official swearing-in ceremony of Dilma Rousseff as president of the New Development Bank. The bank is seen as an alternative to the financial hegemony of Washington and Brussels, since it may finance development projects in local currencies instead of dollars. Rousseff, is also a former President of Brazil.

In a meeting with representatives of indigenous peoples, President Lula signed decrees demarcating six new territories for indigenous peoples, the first since 2018 and one of them in a vast territory in the Amazon.

Following a massacre of children at a day care center, the Minister of Justice announced a major national mobilization in favor of a culture of peace, including an inter-ministerial working group to prevent and confront violence in schools.

Along with Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Peru, Brazil has signed on to a “Declaration for a Culture of Peace and Democracy and for Combating Expressions and Hate Speech” that will lead to a guidelines to be used internally by the signatory countries. 

Elsewhere in Latin America, Mexico and Colombia continue to promote a culture of peace.

In Mexico, the city of León will host the First Ibero-American Meeting of Voices for Peace and the First Ibero-American Meeting of Journalism for Peace, to take place from June 1 to 3. The General Coordinator of State Social Communications stressed that Guanajuato will become the epicenter of the culture of peace in Mexico and Latin America (see discussion: “Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?”)

In Colombia, nine months into new efforts by Colombia’s administration to achieve “total peace” with remaining armed groups following decades of civil war, a network of 140 civic and community organizations is working to end violence. Quoting an activist from this network: “To advance peace, the government will need broad support from both Colombia’s grass roots and its international partners. A top priority in coming months needs to be a national process of dialogues among Colombia’s thousands of community-level civil society organizations.” (See discussion: “What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?”)

Meanwhile, in Africa, it is the women who are taking the leadership for a culture of peace. (See discussion:”Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?”)

In Kenya, women from Turkana, West Pokot and Marakwet communities have kicked-off talks with their Ethiopian and Ugandan counterparts to take leading roles in the restoration of peace in the North.

In Abuja, the African First Ladies Peace Mission was addressed by Nigeria’s first lady, Aisha Buhari, who emphasised the significance of women’s role in conflict resolution: “As women leaders and mothers, our role in peace and security is to continue to say no to the culture and structures of violence.”

And in Luanda, the Angolan vice-president, Esperança da Costa, opened the 1st International Women’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, to reaffirm and strengthen political commitment to action on gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and their human rights, ensuring high-level engagement. The forum is part of the Luanda Biennial – Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, which is a joint initiative between the Government of Angola, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) and the African Union (AU) (see discussion, “The Luanda Biennale: What is its contribution to a culture of peace in Africa?”)

While most of these initiatives are initiated and supported by the national governments of Latin America and Africa, in the long run, the most important is the development of grass-roots and civil society, as described above for Colombia and Kenya. This is especially true for Brazil as described in a recent blog from the CPNN representative in that country. As expressed in the Constitution of UNESCO: “a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and . . . peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind.”

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Brazil President Lula’s speech to the G7

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Brazil signs in Buenos Aires declaration to combat hate speech on the internet

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

United Nations: Guterres urges countries to recommit to achieving SDGs by 2030 deadline

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY

Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation of Central Asia

  

WOMEN’S EQUALITY

Angola Debates The Women’s Role In Building Peace And Democracy

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

World Movement of Poetry: for the Culture of Peace

HUMAN RIGHTS

The Washington Consensus Supporting Sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela Is Breaking

DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Mayors for Culture of Peace