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• encourage the world wide dissemination of results of peace research.

Peace researchers not only conduct scientific studies and surveys of topics and activities which contribute to a culture of peace, but they are often involved as activists themselves. For example, Elise Boulding, former Secretary General of IPRA, edits a newsletter which exchanges information about the many individuals and groups who are mobilizing volunteers around the world for service in the cause of non violence.
Several regional associations of peace researchers associated with IPRA have adopted the culture of peace as a major priority for action.
Establishing a new network in Latin America, peace researchers met in Guatemala in August 1995 under the theme Construction of Peace, Culture of Peace and Democracy'. The meeting was sponsored by the Institute of International Relations and Investigations for Peace (IRIPAZ) and co sponsored by the Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Relations, several universities and a number of academic networks. In addition to invited speakers, panels and forums addressed:

• changes in the international system in the post cold war era;

• United Nations, peace building and the international system;

• globalization, free trade and integration processes;

• the peace process in Central America;

• peace processes, social development and democratization.

The Contribution by Religions to the Culture of Peace

Appeal

Grounded in our faith, we will build a culture of peace based on non-violence, tolerance, dialogue, mutual understanding, and justice. We call upon the institutions of our civil society, the United Nations system, governments, governmental and non-governmental organizations, corporations, and the mass media, to strengthen their commitments to peace and to listen to the cries of the victims and the dispossessed. We call upon the different religious and cultural traditions to join hands together in this effort, and to cooperate with us in spreading the message of peace.

Barcelona, 12-18 December 1994


In the Lebanon, in co-operation with UNESCO and International Alert, IPRA has been engaged in developing training workshops for conflict resolution. The objectives are to enhance the capacities of conflict resolution of Lebanese NGOs, to increase their co-operation with international NGOs for conflict resolution and reconciliation, and to explore and enhance approaches to conflicts and their resolution relevant to the cultural environment of the Lebanon and its region. A training manual that should be useful in other contexts is being prepared as a result of the workshops.

Religious organizations

Representative figures from the various religious traditions of the world have met annually since 1993 under the sponsorship

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The culture of peace is increasingly the subject of scientific and scholarly study - including by the International Peace Research Association which unites peace researchers - both organizations and individuals - from around the world in a network of co-operation.


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