The World Civil Society Report on the Culture of Peace (2005) has now been joined by a new report, Youth for Culture of Peace (2006). Youth from 475 organizations in 125 countries responded to the question of what they would do for a culture of peace if they had funding. As you can see from the attached report, they provide a wealth of ideas, showing that they are ready to change the world from culture of war to culture of peace. The report proposes the establishment of a Global Youth Solidarity Fund and Programme.

The culture of peace is advancing, according to the 2005 World Civil Society Report. This is the conclusion from information submitted by 700 organizations throughout the world available on the information board for the Decade report. A summary report, shown here, has been has been received and commended at the plenary session of the UN General Assembly devoted to the midpoint of the culture of peace decade that took place on October 20, 2005. Printable PDF versions are also available for the summary report and for a book containing the summary report, introductions, participating organizations, and relevant UN resolutions.

The World Report is taken note of in the resolution adopted by the General Assembly on October 20, and was specifically recognized by Bangladesh, the European Union, Qatar, Fiji and Thailand in their statements during the plenary debate. The recognition, no doubt, was due to the remarkable efforts of a Youth Advocacy Team that distributed and discussed the Report at UN missions during the weeks prior to the debate. For more information on the debate, see the overview and country statements.

This report provides the first comprehensive view of the progress of the global movement for a culture of peace, since it was called for in 1999 by United Nations Resolution A/53/243. The assessments of progress and obstacles are summarized by region: International NGOs (two pages), Africa, Arab States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. There is also a two-page summary of advice to the United Nations from participating organizations which addresses all eight programme areas for the culture of peace in United Nations Resolution A/53/243.

You are invited to send in news articles published in the mass media about events and initiatives contributing to the global movement for the culture of peace in any of its components: peace education, sustainable development, equality of women and men, human rights, democratic participation, understanding, tolerance and solidarity, free flow of information and international peace and security. Please register on the News Information Board, or simply go to the News Board to read recent news from around the world.

Information about media reports is especially important because the advance of the culture of peace has come despite almost total neglect from the mass media, according to most accounts from all regions. Therefore, it is important that during the second half of the decade, we can ensure that news of the global movement for a culture of peace is recognized and documented by both the mass media and alternative media.

As we enter the second half of the Decade, it is a time for reflection and new thinking. Therefore, you are invited to write your advice and discuss the advice of others about strategy for the second half of the Decade. Please register on the Strategy Information Board, or simply go to the Strategy Board to read the strategy discussions from people around the world.

An e-mail bulletin of progress in these sites is sent out each month. If you would like to subscribe, please send your e-mail address to subscribe@decade-culture-of-peace.org.

For further information, please e-mail:
mail@decade-culture-of-peace.org