Building a Culture of Peace –
“The Human Person, The Heart of Peace”

Families, Activists, Celebrities Protest War
Washington – A raucous and colourful multitude of protesters, led by some of the ageing activists of the past such as Jane Fonda, staged a series of rallies and a march on the Capitol on Saturday to demand that the United States end its war in Iraq. The Miami Herald, January 28, 2007

“Tough part” of Somali Peace Still Ahead
Somalia may already be heading towards the divided clan society it was before the December war, peace and security experts warn. As Ethiopian troops have started pulling out, radical Islamists or ancient clan warlords may gain ground again if peacekeepers and donors are not quick to step in. But with international help, this is also a good opportunity to secure lasting peace. Afrol News, January 26, 2007

Philippines Sees Peace Ahead with Rebels
The Philippines government is confident it will sign a peace agreement this year with a Muslim rebel group responsible for a two-decade insurgency for self-rule, its foreign secretary said. Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo expressed hope Thursday that an agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front could be signed by June.
ABC News, January 26, 2007

Violence Increasing in Central African Republic
Northeastern areas of the Central African Republic are seeing more ethnically driven attacks and torched villages in signs the war in Sudan’s neighbouring Darfur region increasingly is spilling over the border, the United Nations said on Friday. Reuters, January 26, 2007

New Phase of Nepal’s Peace Process Begins with UNDP Support
The United Nations has begun registering and storing weapons of Maoist former combatants in Nepal, marking a new phase in the peace process following last year’s comprehensive agreement ending the long-running civil war in the Himalayan country. UNDP, January 2007

Make Room for Peace at the War Museum
I stood in the stairwell area known as Regeneration Hall talking with the volunteer guide about the portrayal of peace in the new Canadian War Museum. Part of her job, she explained, is to tell visitors about the intention of Regeneration Hall and point out the Peace Tower visible through the window in the east wall. She told me how, as a former teacher, she makes a special point with children to talk about the importance of working for peace in their schools and communities. As we spoke, a group of ten-and eleven-year-olds with two teachers came into the Hall, obviously on their way through. The guide turned to offer to point out the Peace Tower and explain the importance of the Hall. As the group hurried on down the stairs, one of the teachers said she was sorry but they did not have time to hear about peace as the children wanted to get downstairs to see the tanks and artillery. Too bad, I thought, another opportunity to teach about peace, lost to the allure of weapons. Peace Magazine, January-March 2007

A New Chance for Peace?
“I am concerned that public discussion of my book Palestine Peace Not Apartheid has been diverted from the book’s basic proposals: that peace talks be resumed after six years of delay and that the tragic persecution of Palestinians be ended. Although most critics have not seriously disputed or even mentioned the facts and suggestions about these two issues, an apparently concerted campaign has been focused on the book's title, combined with allegations that I am anti-Israel. This is not good for any of us who are committed to Israel’s status as a peaceful nation living in harmony with its neighbours.” Jimmy Carter The Washington Post,
January 18, 2007

Peace is in Our Hands
2001–2010 is dedicated to the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. This United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) website provides information on how individuals, local organisations, and international organisations can promote peace and non-violence. The site outlines the UN’s definition of “a culture of peace” and who is involved in the worldwide campaign. It includes an Information Exchange and Tool Box section, a listing of UNESCO activities and links to UN documents about peace and activities for developing a culture of peace.

www3.unesco.org/iycp/default.htm

The Shadows of Peace: Life after the LRA
In Northern Uganda the bells of peace are starting to ring out. But after two decades of death, displacement and trauma, the obstacles on the path toward peace could be just as challenging as the war itself. Download this film (duration 14:48 min) in Realplayer or Windows Media player.

IRIN Film Unit (part of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs)

www.irinnews.org/film/default.asp

“At the origin of many tensions that threaten peace are surely the many unjust inequalities still tragically present in our world. Particularly insidious among these are, on the one hand, inequality in access to essential goods like food, water, shelter, health; on the other hand, there are persistent inequalities between men and women in the exercise of basic human rights.”

Pope Benedict XVI, World Day of Peace Message, 2007

“If you want peace, work for justice.”

Pope Paul VI, World Day of Peace Message, 1972

PLEASE NOTE: LINKS TO EXTERNAL WEBSITES ARE NOT NECESSARILY ENDORSED BY CARITAS AUSTRALIA.