FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

From : The Nobel Peace Prize Laureates

To : Heads of States of all member countries of the General Assembly of the United Nations

Today, in every single country throughout the world, there are many children silently suffering the effects and consequences of violence.

This violence takes many different forms : between children on streets, at school, in family life and in the community. There is physical violence, psychological violence, socio-economic violence, environmental violence and political violence. Many children ­ too many children ­ live in a "culture of violence".

We wish to contribute to reduce their suffering. We believe that each child can discover, by himself, that violence is not inevitable. We can offer hope, not only to the children of the world, but to all of humanity, by beginning to create, and build, a new Culture of Nonviolence.

For this reason, we address this solemn appeal to all Heads of States, of all member countries of the General Assembly of the United nations, for the UN General Assembly to declare:

That the first decade of the new millennium, the years 2001-2010, be declared the "Decade for a Culture of Nonviolence";

That at the start of the decade the year 2000 be declared the "Year of Education for Nonviolence";

That nonviolence be taught at every level in our societies during this decade, to make the children of the world aware of the real, practical meaning and benefits of nonviolence in their daily lives, in order to reduce the violence, and consequent suffering, perpetrated against them and humanity in general.

Together, we can build a new culture of nonviolence for humankind which will give hope to all humanity, and in particular, to the children of our world.

With deepest respect,

Signed by all living Nobel Peace Prize Laureates

Nonviolence: Cultivating the Way of Peace
Ways to nonviolence -overviews, activities and ideas for leaders.

Nobel Laureates Appeal Discussed in Lutheran Theology Journal

Canadian Commission for UNESCO website on the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence

Building a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence

Conflict Transformation, Nonviolence, and Justice:An Annotated Guide to Over 400 Outstanding Books, Manuals, Audiovisuals, and Web Sites

Institute for Peace and Justice

Family Pledge of Nonviolence

Peacemaking Discussion and Activity Resources

The Promise and Challenge of the Nobel Peace Appeal

What can our student group do for peace?

Our Congregation as Peacemaker

Alternative versions of the nobel resolution for a:
City Council, Community Group, Church, School, College or University

See more at: Decade for Peace Resources