Category Archives: Latin America

Mexico: UABC advances in the culture of peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Lindero Norte Noticias (translation by CPNN)

The University Council of the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), the highest collegiate body representing the Cimarron community, approved the report on activities and the 2025 Work Plan of the Institutional Program for the Culture of Peace (PICP).

The report was presented by the coordinator of the unit for Gender, Diversity and Educational Inclusion (UGDIE), Yessica Martínez Soto, who highlighted that it reports on the actions carried out in five areas: educational inclusion; gender and violence; diversity and interculturality; mainstreaming of the culture of peace; and collaboration networks.

Among the activities presented by Dr. Martínez Soto is the formation of the LSM-UABC Commission made up of 16 people from the university community, who were in charge of interpreting the university motto in Mexican Sign Language (LSM).

Other notable actions include the publication, on November 25, 2023, of the “Declaration by which the Pronouncement of Zero Tolerance is issued for any situation or expression that violates the well-being and rights of people at UABC”; the ÚNETE and ORGULLODIVERSA UABC campaigns.

Discussions on university experiences were also organized, in which topics such as the inclusion of people with disabilities at UABC, women in academia, and the implications of trans identity in the classroom were addressed.

In addition, workshops, training sessions and discussions were held on topics such as inclusive language, autism, art and gender, prevention and eradication of violence, interculturality and higher education, suicide prevention, teaching, culture of peace and human rights.

In collaboration with BBVA and the Vice-Rectorate of the Tijuana Campus, the Job Fair for People with Disabilities was held. Likewise, work was done on training peace agents, through the integration of the Reading Circle for Peace.

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(click here for the original version in Spanish).

Questions for this article:

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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Likewise, the project “Daily Steps for Peace” was implemented, through which, through a monthly digital calendar, each day an informative and dissemination resource is offered related to the main dimensions that contribute to the construction of a culture of peace, such as human rights, gender, diversity and inclusion.

The UGDIE coordinator explained that, among the actions scheduled in the PICP 2025 Work Plan, are the preparation of guides, decalogues and protocols that establish guidelines for inclusion from language, disabilities, for the construction of peace actions in university instances, attention to sex-gender diversity and harmonious coexistence.

The university violence meter will also be created, a program to prepare trainers in non-violent communication, a MOOC course on peace culture, a toolbox for self-care and personal peace, and a network of young people for peace.

Likewise, a university consultation will be held on violence and discrimination rates; the route for reissuing documents due to change of identity will be outlined, and a day of intercultural self-determination will be organized.

Modifications in the educational program and academic unit

Likewise, with the purpose of responding to the needs demanded by the global context, the University Council approved modifications of the educational program of the doctorate in Administrative Sciences.

Finally, at the request of the Technical Council of the Faculty of Sports, the Faculty was divided into three independent academic units, one for each campus. The split is based on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions and needs presented by the Faculty. In addition, it will contribute both to the efficient decentralization of the university’s resources and functions and to the promotion and development of the region.

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Costa Rica: Ministry of Culture and Youth launches “Song of Peace for the Ocean” contest

.. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..

An article from the Ministerio de Cultura y Juventud de Costa Rica

Music is a powerful tool to generate change; that is why the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ) has launched the “Song of Peace for the Ocean” contest, so that a Costa Rican artist can compose the music for this hymn to the ocean.


video of the contest

The Government of the Republic of Costa Rica, through the Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ), assumes the commitment to the environment and the culture of peace, extended to human relations with the ocean, to encourage good conservation and protection practices.

This is the goal of promoting Costa Rican musical composition, a song in an orchestral format with a choir which will be performed by MCJ artists, within the framework of the Third United Nations Conference on the Ocean (UNOC), tol be held in June 2025, in Nice, France.

(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

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Questions for this article:

What is the relation between the environment and peace

What place does music have in the peace movement?

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This goal will be achieved with the support of the La Libertad Metropolitan Park Foundation, the collaboration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religion, the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism.

Given the relevance of the aforementioned conference, the Ministry of Culture and Youth will contribute with an artistic-cultural contribution through the presentation of the “Song of Peace for the Ocean.” This work will be performed by the Costa Rican Youth Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Choir of Costa Rica, highlighting Costa Rica’s cultural heritage and musical heritage.

This initiative is part of joint actions to conserve and protect the marine environment, as part of the “Declaration of Peace for the Ocean” that was signed by ministers, government representatives, members of civil society, the academic and scientific community, as well as other stakeholders, at the high-level event on “Ocean Action: Immersed in Change”, which took place in San José, Costa Rica, from June 7 to 8, 2024.

The “Song of Peace for the Ocean” proposes to bring together instruments and voices to motivate the global movement for a more sustainable management of marine resources.

Please see the participation rules here.

Proposals meeting the eligibility requirements will be received from October 9 to 25, 2024.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Felipe Mac Gregor and the culture of peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

An article by Rudecindo Vega Carreazo in Otramirada (translation by CPNN)

This October 2nd marks the 20th anniversary of the journey into eternity of RP Felipe Mac Gregor SJ, the former rector of the PUCP (Pontifical Catholic University of Peru) and the United Nations University, the creator of the concept “Culture of Peace”, universalized by UNESCO and enshrined in a Universal Declaration of the UN. It is a shame that in Peru this universally valuable achievement is little known and recognized. Hopefully it can be taken up and valued today in a crisis of violence, insecurity and crime. Hopefully the PUCP, which owes so much of its development and institutionalization to him, can promote a permanent project of this type.

I was a PUCP student when he was no longer Rector, but his image was of validity and admiration, distant and unattainable for a student from the barrios and small towns (in my case, Camporredondo). Thanks to my teacher Marcial Rubio Correa (former PUCP rector as well) I had the good fortune and honor of working with MacGregor for 12 years, first at the Peruvian Association of Peace Studies (APEP) and then at TRANSPARENCIA. I have hundreds of teachings, anecdotes, life lessons as simple as they are profound.

Thanks to his generosity and that of Marcial, I shared with them, at APEP, the central team of multidisciplinary research on “Structural violence in Peru” (for me they were a master’s degree and a doctorate without a degree together), “Violence in the Andean Region: Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela” (another master’s degree and doctorate on Latin American reality) and; the investigation into drug trafficking and cocaine that developed proposals from Peru, Bolivia and Colombia that were presented at the summit of Presidents Barco, Alan García and Paz Zamora with Bush Sr. in 1990 (another specialized master’s degree).

Between 1988 and 1992 I learned about another of MacGregor’s concerns, little developed, the concept of “Human Security.” He said, always ahead of time, that it was one of the great problems that the world would face in the coming decades. Imagine how valuable his advice would be in times like the present where insecurity, violence and crime reign everywhere. Father Felipe moved with incredible ease in that world of influencing decision-making for worthy causes. I was very happy, running from my house in SMP to the PUCP in Pueblo Libre, then to the Colegio Inmaculada in Surco (where he was also Rector and resided) and the Universidad del Pacífico in Jesús María where he presided over the Institute for Peace.

In TRANSPARENCIA he was equally valuable and wonderful. I got to know his love for Peru and the future of Peru, his vocation for human rights and democracy. To take advantage of his prestige, he was invited by Fujimori to create and preside over the High Commissioner for Human Rights, but he rejected it in front of the ministers and presidents of the PJ (judiciary) and MP, pointing out that those functions were already in those constitutional bodies.

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

Questions related to this article:

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

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I also remember, because I accompanied him to an event organized by the JNE (National Elections Jury) controlled by Fujimori in 1999, in which the central speaker and honoree was him as a member of TRANSPARENCIA. Before the full JNE, politicians, judicial authorities, prosecutors, congressmen and the executive, his conference focused on the autonomy and independence of the JNE, the role of the rule of law and the defense of democracy and why electoral power could not be manipulated by the government. superb master class, I was an eyewitness, we left together, this time alone, without company protocol, he leaning on my arm, in the elevator with a sweet, half-broken voice he said to me “Was I right? I had to tell them what Peru deserves, but let’s get out quickly, otherwise they will only understand and not let us leave.” In TRANSPARENCIA he was a voice that gave institutional personality, how necessary his knowledge and voice would be for our Peru today, which suffers its worst moral, institutional, political, electoral crisis. Many times I comfort myself with his teachings and anecdotes.

One time he asked me what my promotion was at the Colegio Inmaculada, I told him I had studied at the GUE Nicolas de Piérola in El Agustino, that my primary school I studied at the School Center N°131 of Chachapoyas and that I was from Camporredondo; Without being surprised, with a naturalness that reached my bones, he told me “that is why we understand each other, that is why we get along so well, you are a Jesuit without being a Jesuit and I am a civilian being a Jesuit.” I admired him more, much more. He asked me again, why was I an atheist or perhaps agnostic? I told him that I was not an atheist, nor an agnostic nor a nihilist, that I was just a young man confused about his beliefs and that I had not yet found my way. Again, without any gestures of surprise, he told me that he “was also a confused priest and continued to search for his way”; and, quoting Machado, he told me “each of us will make our own way as we go.” He was a sublime teacher, a priest teaching a disciple to find his own way, not to follow his own.

I did not see him much during the last years of his life, but we were aware of each other. His death did not surprise me, but it did surprise me; At his wake, in his church, Our Lady of Fatima, without realizing it, but with much peace and security, after many years, I prayed again, for the joy of having known him, for his earthly life, for his eternal life. Today I continue to do so, sporadically it is true, and his image and name always come to my mind. He will continue to build his path in eternity, while I continue trying to build my earthly path, knowing that “that is why we understand each other, that is why we get along so well.” Glory to you, Father Felipe Emilio Mac Gregor Rolino S.J.; in my memory and heart always.

(Editor’s note: As described here Felipe MacGregor launched the initiative for a culture of peace at UNESCO.)

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Start of the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence: A global call for unity

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An article from Pressenza

On October 2, Gandhi’s birthday, the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence started in Costa Rica, an initiative launched by the organization “World Without Wars and Violence”. The march began in a country that has been committed to peace since 1948 The opening ceremony took place at the University for Peace (UPAZ), the only institution of its kind in the world. Founded in 1980 by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 35/55, it is dedicated to training students from over 120 nations to create a peaceful future.


Photo by Energia per i diritti umani

Francisco Rojas Aravena, the rector of the UPAZ, opened the event and emphasized the transformative power of education in building peace. Giovanny Blanco, coordinator of the “World Without Wars and Violence” in Costa Rica, expressed his pride that Costa Rica was chosen as the venue for the start and finish of the 3rd World March. He called for unity to create a new era of peace through active nonviolence.

Federico Monge, representative of the Office of the Ombudsman, also spoke and emphasized that peace is a universal right that belongs to all people. Raquel Zeledón Sánchez, Vice President for Student Life at the Universidad Estatal a Distancia (UNED), emphasized the role of education and women in promoting peace and developing communities.

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(Click here for a version in Spanish of this article or here for a version in French.)

Question(s) related to this article:

Latin America, has it taken the lead in the struggle for a culture of peace?

Does Costa Rica have a culture of peace?

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Rafael de la Rubia, initiator of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, called on those present to dedicate themselves to personal and social growth. He called on everyone “to contribute something inspiring to this joint effort that the World March represents”. The speeches concluded with a collective reading of the ethical commitment to not use knowledge against humanity, led by Vanessa Vaglio of “World Without Wars and Violence” (MSGSV).

The ceremony ended with a symbolic act in which the members of the grassroots team from Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Italy, Poland, Germany and Suriname, together with representatives of the authorities, students and teachers, formed a large peace symbol by holding signs with the word “peace” in different languages.

The event was accompanied by a rousing cultural performance involving the Duo Contrapunto (Alejandra Espinoza and Gerardo Cascante), the rhythm group of the Liceo Diurno from Ciudad Colón, and children from the Quizarco School, who performed dances from the Huetar de Quitirrisí indigenous community. This celebration marked the beginning of a global day of action dedicated to the promotion of peace and nonviolence, issues of vital importance in today’s world.

After the opening ceremony, the march continued from the university to the Escuela del Rodeo, where children with small Costa Rican flags welcomed the World March. A caravan of buses and vehicles then led the march to the center of the capital, San José. There, the city’s mayor, Yariela Quirós, and local government representatives joined the march, which finally led to the Costa Rican parliament. At the Parliament, the deputies presented Rafael de la Rubia with a motion in support of the 3rd World March for Peace and Nonviolence.

Finally, a collection of signatures was launched for a declaration of support from the entire population of Costa Rica, with the female parliamentarians* being the first signatories.

The event ended with a symbolic tribute to the Costa Rican Declaration of Peace to All the Peoples of the World and the Abolition of the Army. This took place in the Plaza de la Abolición Militar (Military Abolition Plaza), located next to the Costa Rican Parliament building.

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Latin America and the Caribbean: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

A survey by CPNN

The following 59 actions in 19 Latin American and Caribbean 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”


Costa Rica, Santa Ana

Here are excerpts from the articles.

ARGENTINA

BAHÍA BLANCA: For the first time, Bahía Blanca will be the setting for an international event that seeks to promote peace, within the framework of the International Day of Peace. This event has traveled to several capitals of the world. And this time it will be in Plaza Rivadavia. An initiative by renowned visual artist Martín Bonadeo, based in Barcelona, ​​who has worked for years on this project, which has been presented both at the United Nations and to Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. Both gave their consent for it to be carried out in different cities around the world, and Bahía Blanca was selected because it had not previously hosted the event.

BELGRANO In the framework of the International Day of Peace, the mayor of San Salvador de Jujuy, Raúl “Chuli” Jorge, led the central commemoration event that took place in Parque Gral, Belgrano, in the space that the city has dedicated to the location of the Peace Arch, a world symbol that decorates squares in different localities of the country and the world.

BUENOS AIRES: Here’s the many actions in Buenos Aires, Argentina: City of Peace and the home of Mil Milenios de Paz Fundación, to celebrate and contemplate the United Nations’ International DAY of Peace, September 21st each year.

COLÓN: On September 21 , the city of Colón will join in the celebration of the International Day of Peace with the first edition of the “Municipal Day of Peace .” The activities will begin with a bike ride that will start from Plaza Artigas and end at the Rugby Club Colón , where various activities will be held focused on raising awareness and promoting peace. The event, organized by the Municipality of Colón in collaboration with several local institutions, will include the planting of an olive tree as a symbol of peace, a talk on the importance of peace in society and various recreational activities. In addition, there will be artistic and cultural presentations, such as songs and readings by the Senior Citizens Choir and the writer María Magdalena Lener, who will present her work.

CORRIENTES: The Rotary Club Río Paraná Corrientes is pleased to invite the community to participate in the Commemoration of the World Day of Peace, which will take place on September 21, 2024 at the prestigious Amado Bonpland Museum of Natural Sciences. This meeting seeks to promote reflection and dialogue on the importance of world peace, offering a space for the active participation of all attendees. The day will feature various activities designed to foster awareness and commitment to peace in our society.

ESQUEL: School No. 179 ‘Sofia Kraiselburd’ commemorated the International Day of Peace with various educational activities. In collaboration with the Salesian School, the educational community promoted values of respect and harmony. . . Students and their families actively participated in decorating the “Snowman” and “La Trochita”. “We are writing messages of peace that will be placed on the doll and in the Peace Square. We have also prepared gifts and souvenirs made by the children and families.”

MALARGÜE: The 2nd Sculptors’ Meeting began on Monday in Malargüe, an activity supported by the Rotary Club and conceived and organized by local sculptor Christian Pietkiewicz. For two weeks, sculptors from different provinces will be creating works in our city. In addition to the creation of sculptures, different activities are carried out, such as dance, music, photography and talks open to the public, designed to encourage exchange between artists and the community. These events seek to bring art closer to the people of Malargüinos and generate spaces for learning and dialogue. The event will end on September 20 with a formal ceremony to commemorate the International Day of Peace, during which the finished works will be presented.

MAR DEL PLATA: Picnic in Primavesi Park to celebrate World Peace Day. The proposal comes from the Collective for Nonviolence and the community is invited to participate in different activities this Saturday, September 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There will be yoga, biodance, meditation, talks, activities for children and open radio. . . At the close of the Picnic, there will be a march with flags and banners in support of the upcoming World March for Peace and Nonviolence that will travel across the five continents and begin on October 2 in San José, Costa Rica.

MENDOZA: Today is the International Day of Peace. In its honor, the Traveling Workshop on Writing for Peace will be held in Mendoza at the Book Fair. . . The workshop is coordinated by writers and teachers Fabiana Mastrangelo (President of Argentina Society of Writers (SADE) Godoy Cruz and leader of SADE Central, Buenos Aires), Zulma Calderón (President of SADE Mendoza) and Marta Ibáñez (Taller Lápiz Creativo).

PUERTO MADRYN: On September 21, Puerto Madryn joins in the commemoration of the International Day of Peace. Following the raising of the flag, a special talk will be given on the meaning of this day and how each of us can be an active part of building a more peaceful world. . . on September 24 at 7 p.m. a training entitled “Sport as a tool to promote peaceful and inclusive societies” will be held , aimed at teachers, physical education teachers and sports institutions.

RECOLETA (BUENOS AIRES): Video of children of Sunrise Montessori school joining with Montessori schools around the world singing for peace.

RESISTENCIA: The Lions Club of Resistencia together with the Leo Club Yaponagá, planted white flowers as a symbol of World Peace. The activity took place on the “Malvinas Veterans’ Path of Honour”, located in the Ejército Resistencia Garrison, and the action was carried out in conjunction with the Malvinas Veterans’ Centre and personnel from the Third Monte Brigade Command. . . The president of the Club, Leon Claudia Kovaluk, said that “it is a day of great emotion, today we are caught up in the feelings of seeing those who were protagonists of war, together with their loved ones demanding Peace.”

SAN GERONIMO AND EL TRAPICHE: Activities to celebrate the day of peace within the framework of the celebrations planned by the Mediation Centers and Rooms of the province to commemorate the International Day of Peace.

SAN JUAN: On world peace day, this September 21st, with a special concert at the Juan Victoria Auditorium, Mozarteum Argentino San Juan will delight us with a night full of rhythm and elegance: the Pianoforte Orchestra in “Jazz Big Band” format . This is an independent orchestra from Mendoza, founded by Leonardo Pittella along with a team, and is made up of some of the most renowned musicians in the region. The repertoire will include works by composers such as Glenn Miller and Benny Golson, with the star piece of the evening being George Gershwin’s famous Rhapsody in Blue.

SANTA FE: From Lalcec Reconquista we want to tell you that together with COLORES POR LA PAZ we will be holding “PintaReconquista” on the International Day of Peace, within the framework of PintaArgentina. . . Once again we will carry out this wonderful activity in our “Nilda Tanino de Enz” merry-go-round, located in Plaza 25 de Mayo, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 , where children between 4 and 10 years old, who come to take their traditional ride, will be able to leave us their allegorical drawings. In addition, we will enjoy live painting by the artist Alberto Pucheta, and other surprises.

USHUAIA: The International Day of Peace was commemorated in Ushuaia. Municipal officials accompanied the ceremony held at the Plaza ‘Campana de la Paz’. The Secretary of Parliamentary Relations, Omar Becerra, said that “this global celebration invites us to reflect so that, through small actions, we can all build a more just and equitable society.”

BERMUDA

SOMERSFIELD ACADEMY: Slideshow of photographs from International Day of Peace Ceremony.

BOLIVIA

LA PAZ: On Friday, September 20 at 10:00 am, the Interreligious Meeting for Peace was held, celebrating the International Day of Peace at a meeting center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on Av. 20 de Octubre in La Paz, Bolivia. The event was attended by representatives of various religious traditions, including Zen Buddhism, the Catholic Church, the Islamic Community, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among others. . . The meeting concluded with the reading of an Interreligious Declaration for the International Day of Peace, by Brother Hugo De La Fuente on behalf of the Bolivian Interreligious Dialogue, in which the importance of interreligious dialogue was underlined as a pillar for the construction of a more cohesive and peaceful society.

BRAZIL

GUARAPARI: EcoPaz holds walk in celebration of International Peace Day, in Guarapari. Event takes place on September 29th with walk and ecumenical service open to the public. The ecumenical service will be held in Praça da Paz and will bring together, at the end of the walk, representatives of some religious denominations such as the Baptist Church, the Catholic Church and Spiritism, thus demonstrating respect for all beliefs.

UEMA: The Language of Peace in Teaching project at the Timon Campus of the State University of Maranhão (Uema) promotes a workshop on the theme “Non-Violent Communication”. The action begins this Friday (September 20) at the Justiniano Guedes Vasconcelos School, located in the Tamanduá Village, and continues until tomorrow (September 21), in allusion to the International Day of Peace, at the Luiz Falcão School, located in the Estiva community.

CANTO PELO PAZ: A manifesto for life. This is “Canto pela Paz (Let’s Get Along)”, the new single by artist, activist and researcher Victor Kinjo, which will be released on September 20th on the main digital platforms by YB Music, Lyra Noise label. With a strong and current message, in a world marked by wars and climate change, the song is an urgent call for peace and unity between peoples.

COLUMBIA

BOGOTA RADIO: This weekend, prepare for an emotional and revealing journey in honor of the International Day of Peace. Starting Saturday, September 21, Canal Capital’s programming presents a series of documentaries that explore the paths to reconciliation in Colombia , offering moving testimonies and evocative visuals of social and personal transformation.

BOGOTA, LA CANDELARIA: “La Candelaria, the heart of Bogotá, is also the heart of peace and reconciliation. That is why we are inviting you to enjoy the photographic exhibition that we will have in the mayor’s office until September 21. It is a peace event that, together with the Reencuentros Humanitarian Corporation, we want to show and make visible that all people deserve to be searched for and deserve to be found,” said Mayor Angélica María Angarita Serrano.

MEDELLIN: For four days, from September 18 to 21 in Medellin, Columbia University (USA), the GettIn Up Corporation and a large group of allied organizations have coordinated to open a first version of this broad dialogue on Urban Peace and its multiple dimensions. . . Through keynote lectures, thematic panels, presentations and discussion panels, topics such as the geographies and ecologies of peace, institutional architecture for peace, youth reintegration, transitional justice models with multi-crime organizations and others will be addressed. . . On Day 4 there will be a celebration of the International Day of Peace in the Antioquia neighborhood.

MEDELLIN: 
In the framework of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace , the Mayor’s Office of Medellín, the Civil Society Peace Month Board and the UN Verification Mission in Colombia will hold a symbolic event on September 21, starting at 10 AM, in San Antonio Park, in the center of the city, next to the work “El Pájaro” by the master Fernando Botero.

COSTA RICA

ALAJUELA: The Juan Santamaría Cultural History Museum will host Peace Week, from September 16 to 21, 2024. The program includes a conversation, a film and a concert, as part of the Art for Transformation and Peace exhibition. Immersive Poetry for Peace 2024.

HEREDIA: Approximately 637 students from the Academic Day School and the Technical Professional College in Guararí in Heredia walked nearly a kilometer and a half for peace this Friday as part of the activities commemorating the International Day of Peace. . . Students displayed banners and posters with positive messages such as “Let us be people of peace” or “It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it and work to achieve it.”

SANTA ANA: More than 200 high school students from different parts of the world will commemorate the International Day of Peace at the United World College. . . The students come from 70 countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Nicaragua, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Brazil, to name a few.

CUBA

REGLA (HAVANA): TogetherForPeace Workshop.,,This is an art workshop to collectively build a representation of Peace. It is held on September 20th on the occasion of the International Day for Peace within the framework of the project Revitalizing the Sociocultural Fabric of the Municipality of Regla, co-financed by the European Union. Children from the Fernando Chenard Piña primary school participate, with whom origami doves will be made with messages in favor of peaceful coexistence and a life free of violence.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

ADASEC ASSOCIATION: The Dominican Association for Social, Ecological and Cultural Aid (Adasec) carried out an emotional march in celebration of World Peace Day , with the aim of raising awareness among the population about the importance of achieving inner peace and promoting peaceful coexistence. . . The walk, which brought together citizens of all ages, took place in a festive and reflective atmosphere. Participants spoke inspiring phrases, emphasizing the value of peace in society.

SANTO DOMINGO: Students from the República de Costa Rica Elementary School together with the Prof. Germán Martínez Tavares High School in the Los Ríos sector marched through several streets of this community in search of promoting peace.

“Long live peace”; “No to violence”; “Long live peace”; “No to war”; “Long live peace”; “Peace is love”; “Peace is freedom”; “Peace is humility”; “Long live teachers”; “Long live children”, shouted the students and teachers at the top of their voices during the night.

Question for this article

What has happened this year (2024) for the International Day of Peace?


Kingston High School Drummers at the launch of the Peace Gardens in Jamaica

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ECUADOR

MALECÓN:
Video of children painting with colored handprints for peace in the initiative the initiative “Hands United for Peace” together with @mov_arteporlapaz_ecuador . Hemicycle of the Roundabout, Malecon 2000 on Saturday 21 September (09h00 – 18h00)

QUITO: In the last decade, peace justice has allowed more than 18,000 cases to be resolved nationwide. Through it, the right of citizens to access alternative mechanisms for conflict resolution and to have a system closer to the reality of the communities has been guaranteed. This was recalled by the President of the Council of the Judiciary (CJ), Mario Godoy, during the Solemn Session for the International Day of Peace and the 10 years of the establishment of the Peace Justice System in Ecuador. . . As part of the event, the Judicial Council presented credentials to the justices of the peace, thereby accrediting the work they do in their communities.

TUMBACO: Video of school children celebrating the International Day of Peace at Colegio Cervantes_ofc.

GUADALOUPE

BASSE TERRE (97): The Freedom Butterflies association celebrated the International Day of Peace this Saturday, September 21, by organizing a symbolic march of children for Peace around the Champ d’Arnaud. On the theme “In the footsteps of our children, dreams of a world in peace resonate”, the leaders of Freedom Butterflies welcomed a hundred young people aged 6 to 15 for a symbolic march around the Champ d’Arbaud. Equipped with signs and panels, these children and a few adults took a route through the capital, chanting the slogan: “I am a messenger of peace.”

HAITI

PORT-AU-PRINCE: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the organization Haitian Diaspora Resources World Wide issued a statement calling on Haitian citizens to be active promoters of peace in their homes and communities. The organization’s president, Marina Gourgue, encourages Haitians to reflect on their roles in spreading the values of respect, solidarity and love.

HONDURAS

TEGUCIGALPA: The Undersecretary of Cooperation and International Promotion, Cindy Rodríguez, participated in the Forum called “Cultivating a Culture of Peace”, organized by the United Nations (UN) in Honduras. . . She highlighted the importance of holding these spaces, which strengthen collaboration in favor of a culture of peace. . . For her part, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Honduras, Alice Shackelford, said: “One of the main messages today is that peace requires daily work, every moment, every week, every month, an effort in dialogue, in understanding, in cooperation, this is a culture of peace” Representatives of government institutions, civil society, academia and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country participated in the event

JAMAICA

KINGSTON: On the International Day of Peace, Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth and other partners, launched Peace Gardens and drumming activities in schools across Jamaica to foster peace and environmental stewardship. The launch took place on Friday at Kingston High School.

MEXICO

ANÁHUEC: Invitation to the celebration of the International Day of Peace on September 18 at the Joseph Ratzinger Auditorium.

CAJEME: On the occasion of the International Day of Peace , the municipality of Cajeme and the Technological Institute of Sonora (Itson) have joined forces to carry out the event “Together for Peace” , which seeks to promote a culture of peace within the community. This set of activities, organized by the Municipal Institute of Culture ( Imcca ), began on September 18 and will conclude on the 21st, with various artistic and informative proposals.

CHIAUTEMPAN: In the framework of the International Day of Peace and in an effort to strengthen a Municipal Government that promotes and guarantees full respect for Human Rights, this morning the City Council of Chiautempan signed a collaboration and training agreement with the State Commission on Human Rights (CEDH), thus becoming the first municipality to establish it. . . In addition, during the event, a training course entitled “Human Rights and Culture of Peace in Public Service” was given by Ordóñez Brasdefer.

COLIMA: This Saturday, September 21, starting at 6:00 p.m., the International Day of Peace Festival will be held at Piedra Lisa, as part of the State Government’s activities to promote peace and healthy coexistence among citizens. There will be an exchange module for the campaign, Let’s Play Without Violence, so that children can exchange their war toys for recreational and educational toys.

CUERNEVACA: The UAEM Faculty of Accounting, Administration and Informatics commemorates the International Day of Peace with various conferences. . . During this event, lectures were given by Tomoko Alkawa, ambassador of La Paz; Rubén Gómez , expert in peace experiences from Montevideo, Uruguay; José Acevedo, who spoke about the monument of the Dove of La Paz; as well as the keynote lecture by Dr. Úrsula Oswald Spring on expanded peace and security of CRIM UNAM.

CULIACÁN: In the framework of the International Day of Peace , various civil organizations, groups and citizens gathered this morning in the center of Culiacán to make an urgent call for unity and action in the face of the violence that plagues the capital of Sinaloa. The meeting brought together representatives from more than 30 groups, including the National Union of Parents, Building Spaces for Peace, Culiacán Participa, COPARMEX and SUMATE AC, who joined together under the question ” What is the Culiacán that we want to live in? ” During the demonstration, citizens called on people not to normalize or accept the conditions of violence and fear that persist in the city, which have left more than 60 murders and more than 70 forced disappearances. The organisations demanded that an environment be created where families can walk without fear and where young people can go to school without risk.

GUANAJUATO: The University of Guanajuato, through its Mediation and Conciliation Unit, invites the university community and the general public to take part in the activities that will commemorate the International Day of Peace, to be held next Wednesday, September 11 of this year, starting at 11:00 a.m. in the General Auditorium of the UG Central Building. . . As part of the commemorative program, the UG invites you to participate in the Grand Conference  Restorative Justice and the Re-signification of Harm as Elements for the Construction of Peace. . . The program also includes the Interdisciplinary Discussion  Deconstruction and Collaborative Transformation of Conflicts.

HUNUCMÁ, YUCATÁN: In the framework of the International Day of Peace and with the objective of promoting healthy coexistence, respect, inclusion to strengthen healthy educational spaces free of violence, more than 450 students from the “Emiliano Zapata” Secondary School accompanied by their families participated in the first “Peace to the Voice” race organized by the Secretariat of Education of the Government of the State of Yucatán. Patricia Sosa Díaz, head of the Coordination for the Prevention of Violence in Basic Education of the Segey, highlighted the importance of sport as a tool to prevent violence and to strengthen camaraderie among students through actions that promote inclusion, empathy and peace among our students.

JALISCO: “Bohemia for Peace” organized in commemoration of the International Day of Peace. Now it’s the turn of Master Carlos Palafox, who shares with us the following information: I’m the Mtro. Carlos Alberto Palafox Luna, high school teacher, lawyer and activist for Peace. Currently I preside the Collective of “Teachers for Peace” which has been working for more than 4 years in favor of the culture of peace and non-violence in schools.

JUAREZ: Students from the Municipal Nursery School celebrate the International Day of Peace. . . The children’s hands were painted with different colors, to later capture it on a canvas, even the teaching staff joined in the dynamic, which was very fun and supportive. Since the color white is representative of peace, everyone attended school dressed in denim clothes combined with either a white blouse or shirt.

MÉRIDA, YUCATÁN: Every September 21, at the initiative of the United Nations, the International Day of Peace is celebrated, and in the midst of this commemoration the Summit for Peace Societies, Ch’abajel, was held in Mérida, Yucatán. The event, which will feature more than 40 speakers, 100 organizations and representatives from 50 governments at all levels, was opened on Thursday by state authorities, organizers and special guests. . . Eunice Rendón, director of Red Viral and Agenda Migrante, as well as curator of the summit, highlighted that over the two days of the summit, peacebuilding will be discussed and insecurity and its causes will be analyzed, since difficult contexts are often the “true enemy” to building a more peaceful society. He also mentioned that even in peaceful territories there are problems that need to be addressed, such as violence against women or addictions among young people.

MEXICO CITY: On the eve of the International Day of Peace, which is commemorated on September 21, the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) launched the campaign Arm yourself with courage for a Culture of Peace! Get informed, learn and act. The Secretary General of the SNTE, teacher Alfonso Cepeda Salas, called for participation in the campaign, which aims to promote values of respect, equality, solidarity, tolerance and empathy; in addition to the daily practice of dialogue, negotiation, peaceful conflict resolution, harmonious coexistence and inclusion . . During the launch of the strategy, a message was transmitted by the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Rosa Icela Rodríguez Velázquez, who recognized the commitment of teachers in favor of the Culture of Peace, under the leadership of teacher Alfonso Cepeda. She invited education workers to continue collaborating so that schools continue to be safe places.

NUEVA LEON The State Government confirmed the attendance of 18 Nobel Peace Prize winners to participate in the World Summit to be held in Nuevo León from September 18 to 21. Former presidents such as Lech Walesa of Poland, José Manuel Ramos-Horta of East Timor and Oscar Arias Sánchez of Costa Rica will participate in the meeting, said the Secretary General of Government, Javier Navarro Velasco, who assured that the laureates will meet with union leaders in different areas to share their success stories. . . On September 21, the date on which the International Day of Peace is commemorated, a march will take place that will start at the Marco Museum and end at the Government Palace. . . . For the World Summit, 1,200 young people from more than 70 universities across the country will participate in 50 free workshops over three days, as well as panels with all the personalities who will attend. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureates World Summit is an annual event that brings together Nobel Peace Prize winners, global leaders, organizations, activists, and young people committed to promoting peace, human rights, and conflict resolution. 

QUERÉTARO: The International Forum of Culture and Education for Peace (FICYEP) was held on September 19 and 20 at the Autonomous University of Querétaro, with the theme ‘Cultivating peace through diversity’, in order to raise awareness of the problem of inclusion of diverse groups in society, such as the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities and people with indigenous cultures. The aim was to raise awareness among participants to reconceptualize peace through diversity for the generation of cultural projects in adverse contexts. . . Conferences, talks and remote discussions are included, with prominent people in peace work from other countries, such as Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Chile. 

REYNOSA: In the framework of the International Day of Peace, students and teaching staff from school institutions in the municipality met to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the promotion of peace worldwide. This celebration was attended by authorities from the Regional Center for Educational Development, led by teacher Dina Maybe Castillo Enríquez, as well as representatives of the parents’ association, chaired by Sarahí Garza and Ileana Guerrero.

ZACATECAS: “Peace is not only the absence of conflict, but a state in which respect, justice and solidarity are fundamental pillars of our society,” said the head of the Doctorate Program in Humanities with a specialty in Heritage and Culture for Peace, Lucía Muñoz Castañón, within the framework of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace – September 21. . . The program for this commemoration included the conference “Peace, as the primary objective of human rights,” given by the president of the Human Rights Commission of the State of Zacatecas, Maricela Dimas Reveles. The presidium was made up of the general secretary of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, Ángel Román Gutiérrez, the Ambassador of Peace in Zacatecas and Research Professor of the UAZ, Laura Gema Flores García, as well as the training director of the Human Rights Commission, Luis Manuel Gallardo -who also participated in the Human Rights Conference-.

PANAMA

UNIVERSITY OF PANAMA: Ministry of Social Development of Panama. Acting Minister Ricardo Landero participated in an enriching discussion at the National University of Panama, commemorating the International Day of Peace.

PERU

PIURA: Universal Peace Federation ((UPF) Peru and UPF Piura branch celebrate the International Day of Peace. The hall of the Municipality of Piura gathered Ambassadors for Peace, students, personalities of the region, the Peru National Police and guests in general. . . The program included the presentation of the girl Ayko Yamile Zapata Castro who recited the Poetry titled: “Inner peace is the calm to my anguish”. The presentation of Singer Ambassador Wilfredo Mendoza Castillo who delights with his songs to the attending audience.

SANTA LUCIA

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: On 21 September, Saint Lucia joins the rest of the world in observance of International Day of Peace.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

SOUTHWEST TOBAGO: The Rotary Club of Southwest Tobago has joined the world in observing International Day of Peace. As part of this observance, the Rotary Club erected peace poles at Signal Hill Secondary and Scarborough Secondary Schools in Tobago.

VENEZUELA

VENEZUELAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: During the ordinary session of the Ordinary Session today, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the  National Assembly  (AN) unanimously approved the  Draft Agreement for the International Day of Peace . In accordance with the provisions of Article 111 of the Internal Regulations and Debates of the National Assembly, the First Vice President,  Pedro Infante, highlighted the importance of maintaining peace in the country.

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America,

Uruguay: The book Culture of Peace

. EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from ANEP, Dirección General de Educación Inicial y Primaria (translation by CPNN)

Next Friday, August 9, in the Amphitheater of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, starting at 6:00 p.m., the book Culture of Peace will be presented, a work of support for teachers, educators, students and citizens who promote Human Rights.

Download the book here

The present edition of this book is a modest contribution from the Movement of Educators for Peace for the daily work of teachers, educators and student teachers.

(Click here for the original Spanish version).

Question for this article:

Culture of peace curricula: what are some good examples?

Promoting a culture of peace requires a set of knowledge and supportive attitudes and behaviors depends upon this basis. It is a collective construction that develops in the dynamic relationship between theory and practice in which the student and the educator are conceived as subjects of learning and teaching integrated within an educational community.

The different forms of violence that permeate our society are also expressed in institutions, but we have the opportunity to select and reproduce those that contribute to a culture of peace.

The educational institution that is based on the principles of a culture of peace constitutes the best environment for balanced and respectful personal relationships.

Learning and teaching in these conditions become a rewarding and productive effort that allows the integral development of the student and the educator. Therefore, educating in a culture of peace is not an additional effort that is demanded of educators but rather an aid to facilitate and make their pedagogical work more consistent.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

UNAOC Hosts Capacity-Building Workshop for the 7th edition of its Young Peacebuilders programme in Cáceres, Spain

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

Aspiring leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean convened in Cáceres, Spain for a transformative capacity-building workshop as part of their participation in the 7th edition of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Young Peacebuilders programme.

The in-person workshop took place from 24 to 28 June, following an extensive online training phase throughout the year. The Young Peacebuilders participated in a series of interactive sessions guided by facilitators, and were challenged to implement their newly gained knowledge by diving deeper into peacebuilding concepts and relevant skills. The participants are expected to leverage their newly acquired insights to implement the peace projects they designed during the workshop to address pressing challenges in their respective communities. These initiatives, which are an integral output of their participation in the programme, will aim to build bridges between diverse cultures and communities upon returning home from the workshop.

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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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The 7th edition of the UNAOC peace education initiative brings together young civil society leaders from Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as well as local peacebuilders from Spain. The participants were selected following a rigorous and competitive process through which they demonstrated their commitment to peacebuilding and sustainable development.

About the programme


The UNAOC Young Peacebuilders programme is a flagship peace education initiative dedicated to nurturing the next generation of peacebuilders. The programme aims to enhance the positive role of youth in issues of peace and security and in preventing violent conflict by equipping young leaders with the necessary tools and knowledge to do so. The 7th edition, focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, is implemented with the generous financial support of the Agencia Extremeña De Cooperación Internacional Para El Desarrollo (AEXCID) of Junta de Extremadura.

For more information about the Young Peacebuilders programme, please click here.

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Latin America, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY, United Nations,

Mexico: UAA inaugurates the CONEICC 2024 Meeting “Communicating for a culture of peace”

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article May 16 from the Universidad autónoma de Aguascalientes (translation by CPNN)

The Autonomous University of Aguascalientes, through the Center for Social Sciences and Humanities and in coordination with the National Council for Research in Communication Sciences (CONEICC), carried out the inauguration of the National Meeting for Communication Students 2024 “Communicate for a culture of peace”, an important communication event that brings together around 700 students from 15 different universities in the country.

Within the framework of the inauguration of this event, Dr. Sandra Yesenia Pinzón Castro, rector of the UAA, referred to the theme of this year’s edition. She pointed out that peace, although the most verbally collective goal, longed for in history, is an issue quickly forgotten, whether in domestic, public, or political contexts, both nationally and internationally.

In that sense, Dr. Pinzón recognized that, to achieve organic and lasting peace at all levels and contexts, it is first necessary to carry out an individual self-criticism examination. In the family context or in the case of each profession and activities such as students, teachers, administrators, managers, or specifically as journalists, one must be careful how information is disseminated, in order to avoid. actions such as offenses, omissions or distorted information that harm individuals and the social fabric itself.

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(click here for the original version in Spanish).

Questions for this article:

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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The rector expressed that regarding the slogan of “communicating for a culture of peace”, the meeting provides a favorable space to talk directly and indirectly about this topic, with the various perspectives of over forty specialists in communication, culture for non-violence and equity.

Dr. Sandra Yesenia recognized that the Autonomous University is fortunate to be the venue and co-organizer of this National Meeting of Communication Students, because it represents an invaluable opportunity to add reviews, proposals and commitments, in order to get closer to that still distant, but very, very longed for culture of peace and non-violence.

In the opening event, Dr. Ana María Navarro Casillas, head of the Communication Department of the UAA, expressed that these days of work should contribute to nurturing and continuing the academic professionalization of the university community of the UAA and of other institutions in the country.

Mr. Francisco Javier Pérez Rodríguez, president of the National Council for Teaching and Research in Communication Sciences (CONEICC), added that these meetings reaffirm the commitment as an organization and Higher Education Institutions to continue providing spaces for discussion and reflection for teaching. of communication and reinforce the work of innovation and research in communicators.

The event also had the presence of Mtra. María Zapopan Tejeda Caldera, dean of the Center for Social Sciences and Humanities (CCSyH); Dr. Rossana Reguillo Cruz, Researcher, activist and person in charge of the Inaugural Conference; teachers, students, graduates and communicators; as well as members of the University Executive Commission, CCSyH commission, speakers and students from public and private universities that make up the CONEICC.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Colombia: The first meeting is held in Cali to weave a network of peace initiatives in the territories

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article from the Ministry of Culture of Colombia

Between April 3 and April 5, the first national meeting took place for territorial networks for a culture of peace, an initiative of the Culture of Peace Strategy of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Knowledge.

The beginninf of the space was marked by the voices of the Cantaoras de Pogue (Bojayá) who evoked the pain of their history; an echo to leave war and seek peace.

The song invited the 25 artistic and cultural organizations from the municipalities of Antioquia, Nariño, Chocó, Putumayo, Caribe and Bogotá, attending the event, to reflect on the transformative power of unity, mutual protection and trust in the ability of the territories to forge peace.

Space for mutual recognition of organizations. Photo: Paula Beltrán.

The objective of this meeting is to recognize the artistic and cultural organizations strengthened by the Culture of Peace Strategy of the Ministry of Cultures and promote their exchange of experiences, methodologies and processes.

“In the arts you show us that other country that some have called ‘the geography of hope.’ We must move from resistance to guarantees of rights, so that we can advance beyond war and everything that has harmed us,” said Adriana Molano, Vice Minister of Heritage, Memories and Cultural Governance.

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

Question for this article:

Do the arts create a basis for a culture of peace?

What is happening in Colombia, Is peace possible?

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It is expected that during the three days of the meeting, these organizations will connect experiences, create peace networks and share their territorial processes, commitments and methodologies around the creation of a culture of peace.

For the Culture of Peace Strategy, these initiatives are platforms that, from the territories, make it possible to address daily violence, long-term violence and the factors of persistence of armed conflict.

The main purpose of the strategy is to enhance the political and transformative nature of culture in the care of all forms of life, as well as in the understanding and processing of conflicts.

“We work with children and young people, so that through culture they are part of a new world. I think that this meeting invites us to learn about the initiatives of the other groups, to know how we are all working for that long-awaited peace,” said Fernanda Tenorio Quiñones, who comes from Tumaco and is a member of the Pacific Folklore School Foundation.

A culture of peace for what?

Since 2023, Minculturas has been accompanying and supporting territorial peace culture initiatives. It does so with processes to strengthen its management capabilities, training spaces and guaranteeing the visibility of its actions. This is in line with the commitment to recognize that peace is forged from the territories and that the cultural efforts coming from the communities are decisive for the transformation of the stories of war into new imaginaries of the nation.

The proposal of a Culture of Peace is to strengthen political participation and territorial transformation, promote the sensitivity that art contains towards daily life, dignify life, process mourning and repair damage. To build, together, new stories of the nation.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Speech by Brazil President Lula at the opening of the 37th African Union Summit

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

A report from the Government of Brazil on February 17

It is with great joy that I return to Africa for the twenty-first time, once again as President of Brazil, to address the leaders of the African Union. I come to reaffirm the partnership and bond between our country and our people and the sister continent.


Lula and Africa

The African struggle has a lot in common with the challenges faced by Brazil. More than half of the 200 million Brazilian citizens recognize themselves as Afro-descendants. We, Africans and Brazilians, must chart our own paths within the emerging world order.

We must create a new global governance that is capable of facing the challenges of our time.

Minimal State theories are no longer applicable. Planning agricultural and industrial development has once again become part of public policies in all sectors.

Energy and digital transitions require government leverage and guidance.

Attempts to restore a global system based on ideological blocs are not applicable in the real world. Multipolarity is an inexorable and welcome component in the 21st century. Consolidation of BRICS as the world’s most important arena for the articulation of emerging countries is an undeniable advance.

Without the participation of developing countries, it will not be possible to open any new cycle of global expansion — combining growth, environmental preservation and reduced inequality and with increased freedoms.

The Global South is becoming an unavoidable part of the solution to the main crises that afflict this planet.

These crises arise from a model that concentrates wealth, and which mainly affects the poorest — and, among these, immigrants. The alternative to the ills of neoliberal globalization will not come from the racist and xenophobic far right. Development cannot be the privilege of a few.

Only an inclusive social project will allow us to establish prosperous, free, democratic, and sovereign societies. There will be no stability or democracy if hunger and unemployment remain.

The time is ripe to revive the best humanist traditions of the great leaders of African decolonization.

Being a humanist today means condemning the attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli civilians, and demanding the immediate release of all hostages. Being a humanist also demands rejecting Israel’s disproportionate response, which has killed almost 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza—the vast majority of them women and children—and caused the forced displacement of over 80% of the population.

The solution to this crisis will only last if we move quickly towards the creation of a Palestinian State that is also recognized as a full member of the United Nations—a strengthened UN that harbors a more representative Security Council, in which there are no countries with veto power, and which includes permanent members from Africa and Latin America. For two years now, the war in Ukraine has exposed the Council’s paralysis. Beyond the tragic loss of life, its consequences are also being felt around the world in food and fertilizer prices.

There will be no military solution to this conflict. The time has come for politics and diplomacy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Africa—with its 1 billion 500 million inhabitants and its immense and rich territory—has enormous possibilities for the future. Brazil wants to grow alongside Africa, but never dictating any paths.

The Brazilian people are recovering their political and economic sovereignty. We are adopting an ecological transformation project which will allow us to take a historic leap forward. We are reviving our democracy and making it increasingly participatory.

Through Bolsa Família and other successful public policies, we will once again leave the hunger map and lift millions of Brazilians out of poverty.

Talking about “Inclusive Education”—this Summit’s main topic—is talking about the future. Around the world, almost 250 million children do not attend school. In Brazil we are implementing full-time schools, as well as granting a benefit to the poorest high school students as a way of reducing the number of school dropouts.

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(Click here for the Portuguese version of this article)

Questions related to this article:

Where in the world can we find good leadership today?

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I am proud to say that thousands of African citizens have concluded their studies in Brazil—but we are going to do even more. We are going to increase the number of scholarships we offer so as to welcome African students to our public higher education institutions.

We are willing to develop educational programs in Africa, and to promote intense exchange of teachers and researchers. Let us collaborate so that Africa may become independent in its food and clean energy production.

Africa harbors 400 million hectares spread across over 25 countries which have the potential to make this continent one of the great breadbaskets of the world, enabling policies to combat hunger and produce biofuels.

I also want to extend our partnership to the health sector. There is much to learn from both of our health strategies, and from the possibility of structuring robust and broad-reaching public systems.

We will work alongside the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to tackle neglected tropical diseases. We will aim to expand access to medicines, avoiding repetition of the vaccine “apartheid” that we saw in COVID-19.

Taking care of the health of the planet is also our priority. The imperative of protecting the world’s two largest tropical rainforests—in the Amazon and the Congo basins—makes us protagonists in the climate agenda.

Current international instruments are insufficient to effectively reward the protection of forests, their biodiversity and the people who live in them, take care of them, and depend on them.

By recovering degraded areas, we can create a true green belt to protect forests in the Global South. Alongside African partners, Brazil wants to develop and construct a family of satellites to monitor deforestation.

To carry all this out, we are going to create a cooperation outpost with the African Union in sectors such as agricultural research, health, education, environment, and science and technology.

Our diplomatic representation in Addis Ababa will soon include employees from government bodies such as the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, EMBRAPA and FIOCRUZ—our research and development bodies in agriculture and health.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our paths will meet again at the G20 Summit, in Rio de Janeiro, and at COP 30, in Belém. The presence of the African Union as a full member of the G20 will be of great value—but including more countries from the continent as full members is still also necessary. We have common agendas to defend.

It is unacceptable that a world capable of generating wealth in the order of USD 100 trillion dollars per year still harbors the hunger of more than 735 million people. We are creating the Global Alliance against Hunger at the G20 so as to promote a set of public policies and mobilize resources to finance them.

Around 60 countries—many of them in Africa—are coming close to financial insolvency, allocating more resources to paying external debt than to education or health. This reflects the obsolete nature of financial institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank, which often worsen crises that they should be resolving.

Solutions to transform unfair and unpayable debts into concrete assets—such as highways, railways, hydroelectric plants, wind and solar energy parks, green hydrogen production and energy transmission networks—must be sought after. We need to follow the evolution of new technologies step by step.

Artificial Intelligence cannot be monopolized by a few countries and companies—and may also become fertile ground for hate speech and misinformation, as well as cause unemployment and reinforce racial and gender biases which accentuate injustice and discrimination.

Brazil is going to promote G20 interaction with the High-Level Panel created by the UN Secretary-General to support discussions on the Global Digital Compact.

In this way, we hope to contribute to effective and multilateral governance in Artificial Intelligence that fully incorporates the interests of the Global South.

My friends,
I want to close by saying that there is no Global South without Africa.

Resuming Brazil’s rapprochement with Africa means recovering historical ties and contributing to the construction of a new, more just and supportive world order. Above all, it allows us to join forces in overcoming the challenges that lie ahead.

Thank you very much.

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Africa, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America,