'Culture of Peace' exhibit at UN shows role of both ordinary and renowned peacebuilders

The potential of both renowned and ordinary individuals to contribute to lasting global stability is the focus of "Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World," an exhibition which opened today at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Illustrating the importance of building a culture of peace at all levels and across geographical lines, the exhibit highlights the work of a dozen people famous for their role in conflict resolution, while showcasing the essays and artwork of children who are destined to inherit this task.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has observed that, "It is not enough to send peacekeeping forces to separate warring parties. It is not enough to engage in peace-building efforts after societies have been ravaged by conflict. It is not enough to conduct preventive diplomacy. All of this is essential work, but we must also act at a deeper level if we want enduring results. We need, in short, a culture of peace."

The exhibition is being launched in the context of the UN International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010). It is a joint venture of the UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS), the Permanent Missions of the Bahamas, the Laos, Mozambique and Tuvalu as well as the Soka Gakkai International (SGI)-USA and the International Committee of Artists for Peace.

Stressing that peace and development go together, High Representative Anwarul K. Chowdhury said, "One is not achievable without the other." He added that it is important to ensure durable peace in least developed countries so that they can benefit from overall development efforts.

"The exhibit basically focuses on building a culture of peace for young people and we would like as many children as possible to come to see" it, he told the UN News Service. "They are the future of our world and inculcating a culture of peace will contribute to global peace and development."

The exhibit will be open to the public through 27 February.