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Basic principles
culture of peace consists of values, attitudes, behaviours and ways of life based on non violence and respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of every person. These rights have been recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the full text of which is given here as an appendix.
In a culture of peace power grows not from the barrel of a gun but from participation, dialogue and co-operation. It rejects violence in all its forms, including war and the culture of war.
In place of domination and exploitation by the strong over the weak, a culture of peace respects the rights of everyone, economic as well as political. It encourages a caring society which protects the rights of those who are weak such as children, the handicapped, the elderly and the socially disadvantaged.
Although its fundamental principles are clear, the culture of peace is a complex concept that is still evolving and growing as a result of practice. The culture of war has pervaded every aspect of our lives, even in ways that we do not realize. So, too, a culture of peace will transform every aspect of human behaviour, both individual and institutional, in ways that cannot yet be fully predicted.
As the movement of a culture of peace, like a great river, is fed from diverse streams from every tradition, culture, language, religion, and political perspective its goal is a world in which this rich diversity of cultures live together in an atmosphere marked by intercultural understanding, tolerance and solidarity.
In a culture of peace, people assume a global identity which does not replace, but is built upon other identities gender, family, community, ethnic group, nationality, etc. Where there are contradictions among these identities, it is committed to their non-violent resolution. It rejects all xeno-phobia, racism and the designation of others as enemies.
Preamble
(excerpts) Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law....
Now therefore, the General Assembly, proclaims this
Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance...
10 December 1948
A culture of peace consists of values, attitudes, behaviours and ways of life based on non-violence, respect for human rights, intercultural understanding, tolerance and solidarity, sharing and free flow of information and the full participation of women.