DELEGATES STRESS NEED FOR TOLERANCE, EQUALITY, RESPECT FOR LIFE AS ASSEMBLY OPENS DEBATE ON CREATING `CULTURE OF PEACE' CORRECTION

Press Release
GA/9342/

DELEGATES STRESS NEED FOR TOLERANCE, EQUALITY, RESPECT FOR LIFE AS ASSEMBLY OPENS DEBATE ON CREATING `CULTURE OF PEACE' CORRECTION

In Press Release GA/9342 of 31 October, the first paragraph on page 5 should be deleted and replaced by the following:

"Introducing the draft resolution on the agenda item, "Towards a culture of peace" (document A/52/L.4), MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, said a "culture of peace" -- although an evolving concept -- was rooted in a culture of social interaction and sharing, tolerance and respect for human rights, the foundations of democracy and freedom and the common quest for peaceful coexistence. The concept, as elaborated by UNESCO, was already being actively promoted at many levels and in many countries and was gradually evolving as a global movement. United Nations actions to promote a culture of peace could complement its other efforts, including peacekeeping, disarmament, development, human rights and the advancement of women. The task of developing culture of peace would rely on comprehensive educational, cultural, social and civic action based on common interests and shared goals.

"He said a culture of peace was essentially a process of transformation and institutional development based on the particular socio-economic and cultural context of individual societies and institutions. Peace was a dynamic, participatory process intrinsically linked to democracy, justice and development by which differences were respected, dialogue was encouraged, and conflicts were transformed into cooperation. The promotion of the concept in every society to forge better understanding and harmony among various groups and at the bilateral, regional and international levels would complement existing efforts and programmes with similar objectives. In promoting a culture of peace as a global movement, alliances would, therefore, have to be established with various intergovernmental and governmental organizations and actors in civil society. The adoption of a draft declaration and programme of action by the Assembly in 1999 would provide the necessary impetus to the UNESCO recommendation to observe the year 2000 as the International Year for the Culture of Peace."

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