Culture of Peace for Public Policies - 1st Cycle of Conferences in São Paulo
an article by Lia Diskin, Association Palas Athene

From March to June, 2007, the Conselho Parlamentar pela Cultura de Paz (São Paulo, Brazil) is promoting six conferences for "mulipliers" by specialists in strategic tools for culture of peace building. The purpose is to offer support for the creation of public policies based on culture of peace principles and values at the São Paulo legislative branch. Admittance is free for opinion formers, civil servants of the judiciary branch, social agents and ConPaz counselors. Prior to each conference participants receive reference texts and materials in order to intensify participation during conferences.

"It is an honor to be here with those who are working to build a Culture of Peace", said José Gregori, President of the São Paulo Human Rights Committee, ex-Foreign Affairs Minister, when he opened the first conference on March 21. 60 persons, among deputies, leaders of ONGs, journalists, lawyers, civil servants of the legislative branch, and parliament representatives attended.

At the second conference on April 10, Lia Diskin concluded with a quotation from Artistotle that "Amongst all human activities that of the politician is the most noble, for he invests his time and talents in the welfare of the community". Reminding us of the origins of the word ethics - home, habitat, refuge - Lia Diskin outlined the history of this concept leading us to a fresh approach. It is necessary to transform values if we are to build a Culture of Peace, and this will require redirecting potency. "We must stimulate young persons to become political protagonists". Ethics must be discussed and put into practice in all areas of our life if we are to coexist in peace and partnership.

"We have to regain the ability to think together", was the motto of the third conference on April 26. The 55 participants were challenged from the start: they had to choose a subject and try to reach consensus. After taking note of the reactions Arnaldo Bassoli explained how thoughts are formed. Psychologist and coordinator of dialog groups based on David Bohm's ideas, Arnaldo Bassoli admits "it is not easy to listen to others, but we must recover our ability to think together".

Further conferences will be held on May 10 (Democracy, Power, and the Legislative Process), May 22 (Restorative Justice and Public Policies) and June 14 (Complexity in Public Policies). The Series will be concluded on June 27 with presentation of the Monologue: "Gandhi, a serving leader" by actor João Signorelli. Certificates will be given to those with over 75% attendance.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

How can culture of peace be developed at the municipal level?


As a reader, you are invited to join in the discussion of this article based on any of the above question(s): just click on the question, read the previous comments and add a new reply. You may also enter a new discussion topic on this article - see bottom of this page.

Thematic forum(s) in which this article is being discussed:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE OF PEACE

Latest reader comment:

Brazil in general and São Paulo in particular are leading the way in showing how a culture of peace can be developed at the municipal level.

As described in an earlier CPNN report, Culture of Peace Advances in Brazil, culture of peace commissions have been or are being established in the Brazilian cities of São Paulo, Itepecirica da Serra, São José dos Campos, Diadema, Curitiba, Ribeirão Pires and Cotia.  More recently a commission is being established in the city of Londrina.

Based largely on the Brazilian leadership, several of us have proposed a project to mobilize a network of cities that would measure progress toward a culture of peace.  The project proposal may be found on the Internet at the strategy site of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace.

This report was posted on May 17, 2007. The moderator is CPNN Administrator.

If you wish to start a new discussion topic on this article, please copy the title of this article which is Culture of Peace for Public Policies - 1st Cycle of Conferences in São Paulo and its number which is 344 and enter this information along with your discussion question and a brief text on the new topic form.

A few stories are retained on the main listings if they are considered by readers to be a priority. If you have not already done so, please take the time to check a box below: should this article be considered as a priority?