The century that has just come to a close saw some spectacular accomplishments as well as some appalling atrocities. This is why the UN has decided to place this decade under the banner of a culture of peace. A culture of peace means making peace a way of being, doing and living in a society, rooting it profoundly in our attitudes and mentalities. Building a culture of peace does not, therefore, apply solely to faraway, warring regions, but also to our own society. Though this project is ambitious, it is within everyone’s reach.

An Ambitious Project

Building a culture of peace means going farther than simply putting an end to conflict.

Violence is not strictly limited to places where people are fighting. Violence can also be found in social inequality, discrimination towards women, poverty, the rejection of others because of their differences and unreasonable use of the environment. Building a culture of peace thus means developing, on a daily basis, the values, ways of thinking and attitudes that are in keeping with equality, tolerance, sharing, generosity and respect.

A harmonious society is thus a society in which everyone shares a culture of peace rather than one of violence.

When we look around us, a culture of violence seems to be only too present and real. Hate-filled films and cartoons, fighting in sports and school yards, aggressive driving, racism, indifference and selfishness. It is both surprising and shocking that a culture of violence conjures up such a tangible reality. This is the culture that we must replace by profoundly changing our reflexes, ways of thinking and habits. We should be able to say that a culture of peace, here, in our country, today and for us, is more meaningful and tangible than a culture of violence.

Within Everyone’s Reach

Though building a culture of peace is an ambitious project, it is within everyone’s reach.

Peace Without Borders

The groups and individuals that are working towards peace in their communities through their daily actions are working towards the same goal as the leaders of warring states who are trying to go beyond decades of hate and conflict. Because peace is a universal aspiration and reality, a culture of peace has no borders. Each small isolated action is part of a larger undertaking to which each person, on every continent, contributes. Peace in our communities is an initial and essential link for peace in the world.

Moreover, by constructing a culture of peace at home, we make a real contribution to peace elsewhere. For example,

• By helping individuals become integrated and live better in our society, we build peace and solidarity on a much larger scale among whole groups.
• By taking care of the environment in our houses, towns and regions, we contribute to the protection of the whole planet and the recognition that the environment is a global issue.
• By making consumer choices based on the source and type of products we buy, we contribute to the fight against child labour and the exploitation and abuse of workers in poor countries.

Peace on the March

A culture of peace is not an impossible dream. Numerous institutions, non-government organizations, school and student groups, artistic associations and religious groups have been working for a long time been to build a culture of peace in different forms. One does not start from scratch when building this culture. This endeavour is all the more realistic because we can begin by bringing together all the initiatives that are already heading in this direction and to which we can contribute. For example, we can take time to discover the organizations and associations in our area that are working towards peace.

I'd like to know what's going on in Canada. Take me to the UNA-Canada culture of peace calendar of events >>

Canada is one of the countries in the world where the culture of peace has the deepest roots. People in Canada can freely express their ideas, participate in politics, and depend on a fair judicial system to protect their rights. The country’s multicultural policies also help everyone to find their place in our society, whatever their sex, ethnic origin, religion or language. Likewise, Transparency International considers Canada as one of the three least corrupt countries in the world. What is more, Canada has distinguished itself internationally by putting forward such important ideas as peacekeeping and human safety, as well as proposing initiatives for certain major problems such as land mines.

Nonetheless, conditions for aboriginal peoples and the integration of new immigrants can still be improved, because many people are still excluded. Likewise, there is still tension between Anglophones and Francophones. The environment is being severely attacked through water and air pollution and deforestation. Our streets and roads are still home to different forms of violence. Children today are still victims of violence at home or at school, and some do not have sufficient food or clothes. According to a 1991 UNICEF report, 9.3% of Canadian children live below the poverty line, which represents the second highest figure in the industrialized world. These different points underline the fact that, even though Canadians have taken a large step towards a culture of peace, we must still work if it is to become deeply rooted in our mentalities, reflexes and habits.

Everyone can personally commit themselves by signing Manifest 2000 for a culture of peace and non-violence and by applying it everyday in their families, schools, towns and cities.

UNA-Canada’s Role

The United Nations Association in Canada strengthens the bonds linking Canadians and other peoples around the world through information and awareness campaigns. As part of the United Nations system, our association is working towards the common goal of peace, human rights, fair, sustainable development and the elimination of poverty.

UNA-Canada has many resources to help you get started. Take me to the site >>

Footnotes 1Transparency International is a non-governmental organization whose goal is to increase the accountability of governments and reduce corruption at all levels.