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Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, many more people are looking for some way out of the escalating cycle of violence in the world. People are looking for a way to achieve justice without vengeance. Unfortunately, the US government has poured oil on the flames by unleashing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and threating further wars. And, in return, there is a rising wave of Islamic militarism. Attacks take place almost daily from which no continent or country is free. It is possible that we have already entered World War III. The cycle of violence is not new. Read the Old Testament or the Iliad or epics of other civilizations. In fact, there is an eerie resemblance in recent events to the crusades of the Dark Ages, and the inquisition that accompanied them. Does this mean that there is no way out? Does it mean that our species is inherently, genetically violent? That war is in our human nature? No. The same species that invented war is capable of inventing peace. This is the conclusion of the Seville Statement on Violence, drafted by leading scientists from around the world during the UN International Year for Peace in 1986. The scientific arguments based on evolution, genetics, animal behavior, brain research and social psychology are examined one by one, and the conclusion is drawn that biology does not predestine us to war and violence. In fact, our biological legacy of aggression is the basis of our capacity for righteous indignation against injustice which is essential for peace activism and peace education. This is the conclusion of my book on The Aggression Systems If war is not in our genes, where does it come from and why has been so persistent throughout history? The answer is in our culture. Over the course of history, humans have developed a culture that permits and encourages war and violence: a culture of war. The culture of war is broader and deeper than war itself. Think of it this way. What do you need to have a war?
In fact, if any one of these is missing, you can't have war. No enemy - no war. No armaments - no war. No control of information - no war. And if people don't follow orders and if they don't believe that power can be maintained through violence - no war. Add to these three other important aspects of the culture of war:
There is only one way out from the cycle of violence: a culture of peace:
Global Movement for a Culture of Peace Utopian, you say. Yes, but all social change begins from those who dream and who strive to make their dreams come true. And the culture of peace is an dream whose time has come. All of the Member States of the United Nations voted for the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, calling for a Global Movement for a Culture of Peace. And during the United International Year for a Culture of Peace, more than 1% of the population of the world (over 75 million people) signed the Manifesto 2000, pledging to practice a culture of peace in their family, school and community. I was privileged to take part in the development of the culture of peace concept at UNESCO beginning in 1992. We developed it as a United Nations alternative to military force for reconcilation and peace in war-torn regions. We proved that a culture of peace is possible; see, for example the report from the successful El Salvador Culture of Peace Programme. Unfortunately, the Member States of the UN, mired as they have been for centuries in the culture of war, would not grant the political power or material resources needed to continue culture of peace programs and enable them to work in practice. What is the answer? The priorities of the nation-states must be transformed. It is my hope that this personal Website will help you find a way to take part in this Global Movement for a Culture of Peace, and that together, throughout the world, we can transform the nation-states from their culture of war and violence to a culture of peace and non-violence.
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