|
DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS
By Paul Kimmel
The UN designated 2000 the Year of the Culture of Peace and 2001-2010 the Decade
of the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence to the Children of the World. A culture
of peace has "caring and just relations among individuals, groups, and nations
based on full realization of their positive interdependence with one another and
with their environment -- it entails social justice, norms of equity and
multicultural sensitivity and social relations conducive to nonviolence,
sustainable development, and human well-being." UNESCO 1994, p. 2.
To become more caring and sensitive internationally, Americans can get in touch
with individuals in other countries to share ideas and experiences, feelings and
beliefs. Through programs like the International Network of Local Projects for a
Culture of Peace (www3.unesco.org/iycp) we can set up dialogues and visits to
learn more about each other so that everyone grows. Increasing world peace
requires an active effort to work together beyond differences of class or creed,
race or religion, language or lineage.
When we experience the realities of other people's lives, feelings of connection
and empathy naturally arise. All viable cultures have patterns of belief,
affect, behavior and social relations, but only cultures of peace nourish
nonviolence and individual, social and ecological well-being. Americans will
identify with diverse peoples and build cultures of peace when they know people
from other places as friends rather than "foreigners." Their dialogues and
projects are especially important as law and order governments discourage
international contacts.
+ A WORLD
SUMMIT ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
+ U.S.
NEGOTIATING STYLES
|
WFI PANEL PRESENTATIONS
Opening Remarks
By Mariel Leonard
A UNITED NATIONS EMERGENCY PEACE SERVICE:
TO PREVENT GENOCIDE AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
By Saul Mendlovitz
DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS
By Paul Kimmel
TRIBALISM, GREED, AND THE ARROGANCE OF POWER:
THE MOTIVES OF AMERICAN MILITARISM
By Steve Damours
Corporate Social Responsibility – Time for CGS to get
Involved?
By Marty Resick
|
