Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World
Encyclopedia
The United Nations General Assembly
proclaimed the first decade of the 21st century and the third millennium, the years 2001 to 2010, as the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. This followed resolutions about the International Year for the Culture of Peace
and the International Day of Peace
.
The action plan for the Decade proposes eight spheres of activities in which to work for the promotion of the Culture of Peace:
On 29 November 2000, the General Assembly decided to entrust UNESCO
with the coordination "of the activities of the organizations of the United Nations system to promote a culture of peace, as well as liaison with other organizations concerned in this matter."
Since 2001, some national NGOs coalitions promoting the Decade have been established in several countries, including Austria, France, Italy and the Netherlands. These national coalitions along with international organizations decided to found the International Coalition for the Decade
in June 2003.
Related to this UN Decade, in December 1998, the World Council of Churches
adopted, at its 8th Assembly, in Harare (Zimbabwe), the Decade to Overcome Violence
as one of its programmes for the decade 2000-2009.
Sue Gilmurray from the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
composed and recorded a cycle of songs to commemorate the decade. The songs tackle a variety of subjects, and they include a critique of the use of child soldiers and an attack on the promotion and marketing of violent films and games towards children.
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
proclaimed the first decade of the 21st century and the third millennium, the years 2001 to 2010, as the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. This followed resolutions about the International Year for the Culture of Peace
International Year for the Culture of Peace
The International Year for the Culture of Peace was designated by the United Nations as the year 2000, with the aim of celebrating and encouraging a culture of peace.- Origins :...
and the International Day of Peace
International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace, also known as the World Peace Day, occurs annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many nations, political groups, military...
.
The action plan for the Decade proposes eight spheres of activities in which to work for the promotion of the Culture of Peace:
- To reinforce a culture of peace through education
- To promote economically and socially sustainable development
- To promote the respect of all human rights
- To ensure the equality between women and men
- To support democratic participation
- To develop comprehension, tolerance and solidarity
- To support participative communication and the freedom of movement of information and knowledge
- To promote international peace and safety
On 29 November 2000, the General Assembly decided to entrust UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
with the coordination "of the activities of the organizations of the United Nations system to promote a culture of peace, as well as liaison with other organizations concerned in this matter."
NGOs
NGOs and other civil society organizations were urged to contribute to a global movement for a culture of peace according to the Declaration and Programme of Action for a Culture of Peace, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1999. In response, at the midpoint of the Decade in 2005, 700 civil society organizations reported to the General Assembly that the global movement is advancing despite lack of attention from the mass media. The full report is available on the website of the Decade for a Culture of Peace.Since 2001, some national NGOs coalitions promoting the Decade have been established in several countries, including Austria, France, Italy and the Netherlands. These national coalitions along with international organizations decided to found the International Coalition for the Decade
International Coalition for the Decade
On 10 November 1998, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the first decade of the 21st century and the third millennium, the years 2001 to 2010, as the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World.Since 2001, some national...
in June 2003.
Related to this UN Decade, in December 1998, the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
adopted, at its 8th Assembly, in Harare (Zimbabwe), the Decade to Overcome Violence
Decade to Overcome Violence
The Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace 2001 – 2010 is an initiative of the World Council of Churches. It was decided by the 8th General Assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe in 1998 and runs parallel to the United Nations' Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace...
as one of its programmes for the decade 2000-2009.
Sue Gilmurray from the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
The Anglican Pacifist Fellowship is a body of people within the Anglican Communion who reject war as a means of solving international disputes, and believe that peace and justice should be sought through non-violent means .-Origins and early history:...
composed and recorded a cycle of songs to commemorate the decade. The songs tackle a variety of subjects, and they include a critique of the use of child soldiers and an attack on the promotion and marketing of violent films and games towards children.