Culture of War to Culture of Peace

Culture of War to Culture of Peace 

The United Nations resolutions on a culture of 
peace are based on an analysis of the values, 
attitudes and behaviors that are necessary for 
a culture of war and violence. What are they? 

Audiences throughout the world have responded to 
the question by making their own lists of 
the characteristics of the culture of war.The lists 
differ in the terms used and in the order they are presented, but they have a remarkable consistency. Apparently, the culture of war and violence is present and recognized throughout the world.In the following table these results are presented in terms of eight characteristics, each expressed in several ways: 

Power based on force / Belief that violence works / Military training Enemy images/ Intolerance and prejudice against people who are different / Extreme patriotism / Religious intolerance (suspicion and fear) 

Authoritarian governance / Corruption / Obedience to orders from the top down (subservience and fear) 

Propaganda / Secrecy / Government control of media / Militaristic language / Censorship 

Armaments / Armies / War preparations / Military industry Disregard for human rights (people living in fear) Profiting from the exploitation of people and 
nature within and/or between countries (greed) 
Male domination and power / Patriarchy 

In drafting the UN Programme of Action on a Culture 
of Peace the eight characteristics of a culture of war were taken into consideration and alternatives 
proposed to each one.To quote the document, 
it provides a "conceptual framework" to address 
"the deep cultural roots of war and violence" 
and "the basis for a coherent strategy for 
a transformation to a culture of peace and non-violence."To give one example, the document states "There has never been a war without an 'enemy', and
to abolish war, we must transcend and supersede 
enemy images with understanding,tolerance and solidarity among all peoples and cultures." 

Audiences around the world come up with the same alternatives, shown here in the form of a table with
the culture of war values,attitudes and behaviors 
on the left and, on the right,those of a culture of 
peace corresponding to the eight programme areas 
in the UN resolution 

CULTURE OF WAR AND VIOLENCE 
CULTURE OF PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE 

Belief in power that is based on force 
Education for a culture of peace 

Having an enemy 
Tolerance, solidarity and international understanding 

Authoritarian governance 
Democratic participation 

Secrecy and propaganda 
Free flow of information 

Armament 
Disarmament 

Exploitation of people 
Human rights 

Exploitation of nature 
Sustainable development 

Male domination 
Equality of women and men 

It was a bit different than the UN resolutions which 
were designed for nation-states.For example,education for peace was not included as such in the Manifesto 
and disarmament was translated to reject violence.
Both democracy and women's equality were included, 
in addition to community development, under "rediscover solidarity."Both the free flow of information and tolerance, solidarity and international understanding were included in listen to understand.
And "preserve the planet" was considered so important that it was separated out from "share with others" 
as daily life equivalents of sustainable development. When the eight peacekeys were formulated at 
a later time,democracy and women's equality 
were recognized as separate keys. 
Also, the share with others peacekey took on an education for peace content. 

Education for a Culture of Peace 
(implied in all other points) 
Developing attitudes and skills for living together (content of share with others) 
  
Tolerance, solidarity and international understanding 
Rediscover solidarity and Listen to understand 
Rediscover solidarity 
  
Democratic participation 
(included in Rediscover solidarity) 
Participate in democracy 
  
Free flow of information 
Listen to understand 
Listen to understand 
  
Disarmament 
Reject violence 
Reject violence 
  
Human rights 
Respect all life 
Respect all life 
  
Sustainable development 
Share with others 
Share with others (title only) 
  
Sustainable development 
Preserve the planet 
Preserve the planet 
  
Equality of women 
(included in Rediscover solidarity) 
Work for women's equality 
  

Here, you have a strategy for the transition from 
a culture of war and violence to a culture of peace 
and non-violence:starving the culture of war of 
the nutrients it needs and without which it cannot continue. In so far as a culture of peace grows, 
the culture of war can no longer survive. Without 
an enemy there can be no war.Without authoritarian governance, propaganda and secrecy,and the belief 
that power comes from force, the people will no 
longer accept to go to war.Without armaments it becomes more difficult to carry out wars. 

At the same time, peaceful alternatives are provided 
for the necessary functions now performed by 
the culture of war and violence,including governance, solidarity and economic and social development. 
The very concept of power is redefined as listening, dialogue,negotiation and cooperation instead of force. 

Culture... A Neglected Aspect of War

Culture... A Neglected Aspect of War

   

American culture is based upon the values 
of democracy, peace, and the rights of the individual. Violence, war, oppression of the weak, and human suffering are regarded as universal evils. 
The strength of these values are prevalent throughout America and institutionalize a common bond among Americans. Since these values are so dominant throughout society, Americans readily and incorrectly assume their values are universal, and that other countries should embrace and share these same views. However, history proves this untrue.

The desire of American culture is to avoid armed 
conflict or to seek quick resolutions to a conflict 
once it has been initiated. Unless an act of war has threatened the sovereignty of the United States, Americans will normally go to war only after all other political measures of arbitration have failed. 
Once the decision has been made to enter a war, 
society expects victory quickly. Americans are 
impatient and resistant to protracted operations. 
The intolerance to accept casualties, ingrained in 
the value of the individual, also contributes to 
a lessened resolve of commitment in other than vital interests.

Cultural similarities and geographical factors helped shape the boundaries of the emerging states. 
With few exceptions, the wars "of the kings" were 
over, and the wars "of the nations" had begun. 
Cultural-differences became subordinate to 
the political and economical needs of the nation,
and the traditional cultural struggles were eclipsed 
by wars of territorial expansion (a physical cause). Nations fought to become the predominant political 
and economical influence in Europe and throughout 
the world. Balance-of-power politics characterized Europe from the period of the mid-seventeenth century through the beginning of the twentieth century.

Why will cultural conflict dominate the future nature 
of war? Demographic and environmental stressors, combined with the resurgence of irredentism, will
cause people to seek similar cultural-preferences.  
These boundaries will act as the "fault-lines" of future conflict. Consequently, this results in conflicts among some adjacent civilizations that attempt to expand 
their influence and control over each other.

The emergence of the nation-state and colonialism 
led to the establishment of geographical boundaries 
that are based on western prototypes rather than 
cultural similarity. The concept of the state as 
a sovereign  community--unified politically, morally, 
and territorally--is being subjected to the processes 
of erosion in all parts of the world. Its substance is being worn away by fragmentation and separatism 
along narrow ethnic or linguistic lines; by civil disobedience and a faltering faith in law; and by war, covert foreign interventions or military aggression 
from without.

Cultural conflicts, often embodied with their unbridled savagery, are an ominous portent of the twenty-first century. The cataclysmic response of cultural war, combined with natural and man-made disasters, will require that the United States become even more actively engaged in world events in order to effect stability. 
The daunting temptation to view the problem, 
its causes and solutions exclusively from the American perspective will likely continue. However, in the 
multi-cultural environment of the modern world, 
foreign policy-makers and military strategists must recognize and analyze the multiple and distinct differences of cultures, as well as the different political and economical systems of both their enemies and allies. The approaches to the issue of culture and conflict may be diverse, but without embracing culture as a contributor to conflict, we will fall to develop 
the correct political and military means for 
their solutions.

The nature of war today underlines the importance of quality of leadership as technology and unconventional conflict will place greater responsibility on small unit leaders. A Chinese philosopher stated over 2,500 years ago:If you know the enemy and know yourself, you 
need not fear the result of a hundred battles. lf you 
know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. lf you know 
neither the enemy or yourself, you will succumb 
in every battle.

                                                         Major B. C. Lindberg, USMC
                                                         CSC 1996

Documentary about Mother Teresa

Documentary about Mother Teresa

Documentary about Mother Teresa 

Mother Teresa, who was awarded 

the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize,

 dedicated her life to the sick and hungry. 

Her simple message was 

"the poor must know that we love them". 

Her followers regarded her as a saint, 

but Mother Teresa believed she was only 

doing God's work. Amidst the poverty and

 slums of Calcutta, Mother Teresa's efforts 

provided shelter to thousands of the sick

 and dying, and ensured that thousands 

of children were cared for and given 

foster parents.More than two million sick,

 including nearly fifty thousand lepers,

 were treated by mobile dispensaries 

and special clinics. But for Mother Teresa, 

the Nobel Peace Prize was simply 

a gift to the poor.

'We need to find God, 

and he cannot be found 

in noise and restlessness. 

God is the friend of silence. 

See how nature 

- trees, flowers, grass- grows'

'Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.” 

                                        ― Mother Teresa 

http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/

index.php?id=396

IPYG- International Peace Youth Group

IPYG- International Peace Youth Group

What International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) Does? 

 IPYG aims to unite the youth of every nation, 

and pave the way to a peaceful future for our world.

 IPYG strives to do this through fostering

 a new culture of world peace, a heavenly culture 

that will respect and embrace the beautiful 

diversity of humanity and restore faith in mankind.

 The purpose of IPYG is to create positive and

 lasting change internationally through uniting 

major youth associations around the world.

IPYG supports the development of their communities and encourage them to set the examples in 

educating and motivating their nation's active 

pursuit of peace. As a global community 

we cannot deny that our socities and futures 

lie in the hands of the youth. It is through them

 that humanity will be carried forward and shaped

 IPYG accipts and advocates that it is the youth 

of today that share the responsibility and 

desire to be united. It is the young people 

in today's global village that strive to 

understand and embrace different cultures. 

It is this new generation's unwavering 

determination that our world can be renewed. 

Youth bare witness to this imperfect world 

and still have the heart to want to change it

 this is the true power that a united youth have.

IPYG Seoul East is located in east Seoul, 

S.Korea where it is actively communicating 

with cultural systems.We aim to gather Youths

 wish of peace through cultural events.

 Through Cultural events, we hope to deliver 

our happiness and love of peace to all in the world.

 IPYG Seoul East is now having events

of Nan-ta performance, Classical Dancing, 

Photos, A cappella, Taekwondo performance and etc. 

For more information,copy and visit us~! 

http://ipygseouleast.blogspot.kr/2014/05/

what-international-peace-youth-group.html

1st anniversary of the International Peace Walk for World Peace and Restoration

1st anniversary 

of the International Peace Walk 

for World Peace and Restoration

Last year 27,000 Youth called for peace 

in International Peace Walk

SEOUL, South Korea –

 In one of the largest international demonstrations,

 over 100 youth organizations from over 

50 different nations, including youth leaders 

from United States, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Belarus and Columbia 

and 27,000 local Korean citizens marched

 for peace in the International Youth Walk

 for World Peace and Restoration.

Hosted by the International Peace 

Youth Group for World Peace and Restoration, 

the 1.5km course was divided into seven sections, 

ending at the Seoul Olympic Park, representing the world’s seven continents and the Republic of Korea 

– the place where world peace is being fulfilled.

During the event, a declaration of peace 

was read by Mr. Man Hee Lee, the Chairman 

of the Heavenly Culture, World Peace and the Restoration of Light. His address comprised 

a request to nations to join in the signing 

of an international agreement to end all wars,

 an exhortation for the youth of the world 

to unite in making a stand for peace, 

and for all people to become more aware 

of the daily requirements of peace. 

He also appealed to journalists and members 

of the media to broadcast the event in an effort

 to encourage all members of society 

to stand together for peace.

“I’m proud to marching in this peace walk 

on behalf of the sacrifice they made 

for our country, and ultimately this world” 

said Shannon Turk, from the United States 

who is visiting S. Korea. Similarly, Dol Anastasiya 

from Belarus who is the representative of 

Youth Peace Group of Belarus said, 

“I wish the people of the world would love 

and be aware of peace like we do. 

The people of the world must realize that 

peace is needed not only in the Korean peninsula 

but also in Belarus and the whole world”, 

said Atif Javaid from the United Kingdom said, 

“it is a wake-up call for world leaders,

the public does not want war but wants

 to become one family and we are taking action

 to make it come true”.

This year on 25 may,1st anniversary of 

the International Peace Walk for World Peace

and Restoration was held at the peace plaza

of Olympic Park in Seoul,S.Korea.

At the same time it was also held 

at the UN memorial Park and the Park 

for Peace in Pusan successfully.

South Korean peace activist Oh Jae Shik

South Korean peace activist Oh Jae Shik 

Dr Oh Jae Shik, an ecumenical peace activist 

from South Korea was remembered 

by the World Council of Churches (WCC) 

general secretary as “friend of the weak and marginalized”. 

A former WCC staff member, 

Oh worked as director of the Commission 

of the Churches' Participation in Development 

from 1988 to 1993. He was a member of 

several peace and justice movements in Asia, 

and was known as a human rights activist 

committed to inter-Korean reconciliation and humanitarian aid. 

In his condolence message, 

the WCC general secretary Rev.Dr Olav Fykse Tveit acknowledged Oh’s work for justice in countries

faced with challenges of poverty. 

“His commitment and love for the people 

he served during his years at the Christian

 Conference of Asia (CCA), the WCC and 

the numerous organizations he sponsored 

in Korea are a source of inspiration for 

those who seek to carry on the work 

of loving one’s neighbor with tenderness 

and walking humbly with the Lord,”said Tveit. 

Oh served at the Social Education Institute 

of the Korea Christian Academy in Seoul,

 World Vision, Korea Student Christian Federation 

and Urban Rural Mission program of the CCA.

He also worked with the Young Men's

 Christian Association and the National 

Council of Churches in Korea.  

ONE WORLD ONE FAMILY

ONE WORLD ONE FAMILY

let us enter

in a new world

a world

of no boundaries

a world

of no walls

a world 

of no terror

a world

of no poverty

a world

of no weapons

one world

of one family

no countries

no politicians

no wars

just imagine

a paradise

let us awake

contribute

your self

for a

new world

of oneness

today you imagine

tomorrow you do

one by one

global awakening happens

one world

one family

happens one day 

                                                    by Ramesh Kavdia

How beautiful it would be~!

one by one,step by step.

Live in love as one.

God wants so.

we do also.

U too.

I do.

All.