UN High-Level Forum on the 20th Anniversary of the Culture of Peace

Written by Isys Onodera

In observance of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace convened on September 13, 1999, the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held a high-level forum on that date of this year to renew the commitments made to further strengthen the global movement for the culture of peace. 

At this year's forum, WFWPI members had the opportunity to volunteer and collaborate with the The Global Movement for the Culture of Peace (GMCoP), one of the organizers of the event, preparing materials and welcoming the participants to the forum. WFWPI representatives were present when the major statements were given in the UNGA hall and had the opportunity to meet some of the people who gave these addresses. 

The day long event opened with remarks by the President of the 73rd Session of the UNGA, H.E. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, in which she addressed the importance of being committed to peace and recognized the essential role the UN plays by providing a platform for all stakeholders to work together as one in order to achieve peaceful societies. “Peace is more than an absence of war. It needs constant nurturing through the pursuit of dignity and equality, of human rights and justice, of respect and understanding - and of cooperation and multilateralism,” she said.  

Following the plenary discussions in the GA Hall, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for 2011, Ms. Leymah Gbowe, delivered a message of solidarity, and in which she stated: “It looks like a population of satisfied people: healthy children, educated children, a functional health system, responsive justice structure, an empowered, recognized, appreciated and fully compensated community of women; food on the table of every home, and a lot more. It is the full expression of human dignity.” 

During the panel discussion in the afternoon that was led by H.E. Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN, the importance of the concept of the Culture of Peace and its contribution to sustainable peace was discussed by a select group of experts. Ambassador Chowdhury was the one  responsible for the initiative that resulted in the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace at the UNGA in 1999. In his opening, he declared: “The Culture of Peace as a concept, as a motivation, means that every one of us needs to consciously make peace and nonviolence a part of our daily existence.” 

Ambassador Chowdury acknowledged and thanked WFWP, International for launching the 20th anniversary commemorative year with its annual event, the Horizon Summit, which was held in March 2019 with the theme of “Advancing the Culture of Peace.”

The need to shift the mindset of people from a culture of war to a culture of peace was addressed by H. E. Ambassador Miguel A. Morationos, High Representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations (AOC), “from tolerance to respect of the other; from minorities to citizenship rights; from co-existence to living together peacefully; from dialogue to an alliance and a commitment to peace,” he said.

Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). She spoke of the need for governments to commit to include those that are more vulnerable in the system, particularly women. 

Following Ms. Barron’s comments, the Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security, appointed by Canada, Ms. Jacqueline O’Neil, reminded the participants that peace should be a goal sought by all. She also called for the inclusion of women if the culture of peace is to succeed. 

Sharing the challenges faced in Afghanistan, the Permanent Representative to the UN, H.E. Ambassador Adela Raz, explained that the existing conflicts in her country result from external factors and are not due to the lack of tolerance. Also, she said that the transformation from conflict to an agenda focused on development is possible because of the participation of women.  

The panel discussion concluded that the culture of peace needs to be nurtured by all people, and that women are vital agents to prevent conflict and create a peaceful environment. It also highlighted the important role education plays in the development of peaceful human beings. The panelists agreed that everyone must be a stakeholder in this process.

Toward the close of the event, the discussant, Mr. Francisco Rojas Aravena, Rector of the University for Peace, summarized the relevant points brought by all panelists and talked about the importance of the University for Peace to the promotion of peace education, solidarity and non-violence for the past 40 years. 

The Chairman of the Foundation for a Culture of Peace and former UNESCO Director-General, Mr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza gave his comments expressing concern about the increase of military spending, and encouraging the UN to lead its discussion on peace and security with a new approach, which places the human being as a top priority.

At the conclusion of the high level forum on the Culture of Peace in 2019, the President of the 73rd Session of the UNGA gave the closing remarks, inviting all to build bridges of peace and solidarity in order to create an environment that supports inclusion, equality, and education. She thanked everyone for their contributions and efforts towards peace.