No Progress without Conflict

This month’s CPNN bulletin illustrates clearly that we cannot make progress towards a culture of peace without engaging in conflict. The divestment from companies that aid the Israeli apartheid oppression of the Palestinian people is a good example. Several years ago we carried an article at CPNN by a young Palestinian activist at Wesleyan University who … Read more

The Use and Misuse of Human Rights

In this month’s CPNN bulletin, we consider both positive and negative sides of the discourse about human rights. On the positive side, the state of human rights is a good indicator of progress towards a culture of peace. In this regard, the lead taken by Latin American countries to ratify and enforce human rights treaties reflects … Read more

Can a Culture of Peace be created in only one zone of the world?

Again this month we indicate in the CPNN bulletin that Latin America and the Caribbean continue to be in the vanguard of the Global Movement for a Culture of Peace.  This month it is the national governments that have taken the leadership with their declaration in Havana that the region will be a “zone of peace” privileging … Read more

Nelson Mandela and Africa’s Contribution to the Culture of Peace

As the other peace leaders in this month’s CPNN bulletin testify, Nelson Mandela provided us a model of leadership for a culture of peace. He left us “a vision of a new and better life and the tools with which to win and build it.” 20 years ago in Psychology for Peace Activists, I wrote: “At the present … Read more

Leadership for a Culture of Peace

This month’s CPNN bulletin raises the question, “What is good leadership for a culture of peace?” An initial answer is provided by the Elder, Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and international leader for health and sustainable development: “To be bold; to have the courage of your convictions; and to think long-term, not short-term or … Read more

The paradox of disarmament

The latest CPNN bulletin illustrates clearly the paradox of disarmament. On the one hand, there seems to be no progress at all, and then we see what seems like a “breakthrough” in the agreement to inspect and destroy the chemical arms of Syria. Immediately, a Nobel Peace Prize is awarded! But is it really a breakthrough? I … Read more

A United Nations without government interference: Could it manage a culture of peace?

The latest CPNN bulletin provides good evidence that the answer to this question is “Yes!” We are not surprised that air traffic, postal services and telecommunications are managed effectively by agencies of the United Nations.  Why should we be surprised that a culture of peace could also be effectively managed? Let us begin with the two articles … Read more

What kind of peace education?

I was struck by an important difference between the two international summer schools mentioned in this month’s bulletin of CPNN. The summer school of young human rights activists at the University of Connecticut invited me to speak on the transition from culture of war to culture of peace. The summer school of young activists by … Read more