French Spanish

On the left below, please find an article for the Culture of Peace News Network and on the right the discussion related to this article. You are invited to read and join in the discussion by clicking on any of the questions listed here, or, if you wish, you may enter a new discussion question as described on the bottom of this page. Please take the time to check one of the boxes below as to whether this article should be given a high priority, a medium priority or no priority

by program area by region by category by recency

United Nations and Culture of Peace Global Movement for a Culture of Peace Values, Attitudes, Actions

Rules of the Game Submit an Article Become a CPNN Reporter

	The Social Geography Project of Hamilton an article by Culture of Peace Hamilton Although much collaborative work is already being done, Culture of Peace Hamilton [Ontario, Canada] is conducting research to assess the size and social attitudes of literally hundreds of Hamilton individuals and groups whose voices of concern and compassion are often overlooked or discounted when important decisions are being made. click on photo to enlarge The missing link that binds so many smaller groups together is their passion for social justice and the desire to be heard. This is the bond that links faith groups with environmentalists; those who support food banks with youth gyms; disaster relief workers with women’s shelters; and anti-bullying programs with health promotion or poverty reduction. The outcome of this research will contribute to the establishment of a Culture of Peace Commission in Hamilton, based on the six principles of a Culture of Peace as sponsored by the United Nations. Using the principles of the Manifesto 2000 as guides for poverty reduction, social inclusion, environmental protection, and anti-bullying, a Culture of Peace Commission could use our kind of research to audit progress towards a more equitable, less violent society. The Manifesto’s six principles are applicable to small groups as well as nations. They can apply to powerful institutions like corporations, city councils, school boards, and even the police. See examples below: Respect All Life: City Council Public education – Schools, Colleges, Universities Safe and respectful Police Services Upholding human rights – International and Charter Reject Violence: Anti-bullying groups Violence against women, sexual assault etc. Victim services John Howard Society, Elizabeth Fry Society etc. Share with Others: Public services – water, electricity, transportation, etc. Poverty reduction Food Banks etc. Immigration Services Listen to Understand: Restorative Justice Gay rights initiatives Non-violent Communication (NVC) Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Healing circles and circles of support Preserve the Planet: Anti-pollution – all environmental groups Alternate energy initiatives Greenhouse gas reduction targets Conserving green space Rediscover Solidarity: Interfaith Groups Block Parent Women’s groups Local citizen initiatives		DISCUSSION Question(s) related to this article: What is a culture of peace city and how does one become one? Thematic forum(s) in which this article is being discussed: CULTURE OF PEACE CITIES - VILLES CULTURE DE PAIX LATEST READER COMMENT: I believe that the development of a network of culture of peace cities can be a decisive factor in the transition from a culture of war to a culture of peace based on a profound reform of the United Nations system.  The following are excerpts from my book World Peace through the Town Hall. My experience working in the United Nations system for ten years and observing it closely for seven years since my retirement makes me optimistic that the UN system is capable of managing a transition to the culture of peace. The various specialized agencies that deal with health care, education, food and agriculture, science, communication, not to mention technical questions such as aviation, shipping, atomic energy, etc. are staffed by a capable international secretariat with experience in the day-to-day management of global issues. The UN General Assembly, as well as the international assemblies of other agencies such as the General Conference of UNESCO, provide important forums. Even the Security Council, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund which are now in the hands of a few powerful states and used to support their culture of war could play important roles in the transition to a culture of peace if they were transformed under control of "we the peoples" instead of the state.. . ...more.
This report was posted on August 11, 2011. If you wish to start a new discussion topic on this article, please copy the title of this article which is The Social Geography Project of Hamilton and its number which is 530 and enter this information along with your discussion question and an introductory response to the question here. 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?