THE SEVILLE STATEMENT 0N VIOLENCE

"the same Species who invented war is capable of inventing peace."

Support Network c/o David Adams, Wesleyan Psychology Dept
Middletown, Connecticut. USA 06457

NEWSLETTER - VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1, JULY. 1989

--- The Yamoussoukro Declaration on Peace in the Minds of Men,
adopted on July 1, 1989, is enclosed. It is the product of the
International Congress on Peace in the Minds of Men, held on the
initiative of UNESCO in Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast, As UNESCO
Director-General Federico Mayor said in concluding the Congress:

"From the heart of Africa in Yamoussoukro there rises today
A song of hope -
That understanding and agreement
Tirelessly sought
Will take the place of violence, hate, and rancor."

The Yamoussoukro Congress was the first time that a congress of such
importance has taken place on the African continent, according to
the African statesman Amadou Mahtar M'Bow, Mayor's predecessor at
UNESCO, He emphasized that previously "it was considered that
peace was the exclusive privilege of the rich countries as if it
did not concern the developing countries, let alone the African
countries, Today, however, it is proved by this Congress that
Africa can be a place where one reflects on the essential problems
on which the fate of humanity depends." 

--- The Seville Statement on Violence played a central role in the
work of the Congress. The first afternoon of plenary discussion was
devoted to the themes of the Seville Statement. and many rich ideas
were expressed. These will be summarized in the rapporteur's report
from the Congress to be circulated in the next edition of this
newsletter. Reflecting the discussion, the final Declaration endorses
the Seville Statement and calls for its dissemination in as many
languages as possible together with explanatory material, It also
suggested that the work be extended through the convening of an
interdisciplinary seminar to study the cultural and social origins
of violence.

--- The importance for Africa of the message of Seville is underscored
by the letter of endorsement that is enclosed from the Association of
African Women for Research and Development. As they point out, "violence
is not only physical, but also political, economic, social; and psychological.
All these forms of violence are currently occurring in Africa,
and women and children are the first to suffer from them."

--- Support for the Seville Statement on Violence by the General
Conference of UNESCO this fall has become more likely as a result of
the work at Yamoussoukro. Members and representatives of the entire
Executive Board of UNESCO took part in the Congress and its discussions
of the Seville Statement on Violence. Meanwhile, messages of support
from UNESCO National Commissions continue to arrive. Most recently,
the National UNESCO Commission of Italy has announced its support,
which was decided at its meeting of May 9 and communicated on May 25 to
Professor Ezio Ponzo who had approached them previously on our behalf,