Decade of Nonviolence
A group of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates has come together to appeal to the United Nations for the establishment of a decade of nonviolence, spanning the years 2001-2010, to be declared the "Decade for a Culture of Nonviolence." This effort is particularly aimed at reducing the suffering of children due to violence in all forms in their lives. The United Nations responded to the Nobel Laureates' appeal by passing resolution A/RES/53/243 that invites us:
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To foster a culture of peace through education
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To promote sustainable economic and social development
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To promote respect for all human rights
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To ensure equality between women and men
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To foster democratic participation
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To advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity
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To support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge
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To promote international peace and security
Our organization has begun supporting Houston-based efforts relative to the Decade of Nonviolence by attending organizational meetings and gathering information regarding opportunities for involvement in the coming year and decade. For more information about the Houston area's response to the U.N.'s resolution, see Houston Decade of Nonviolence. UPM is now listed as one of the actors in the global movement for a culture of peace on the UNESCO site.