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NESCO has engaged in activities to promote peace from its very beginning when it was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War to construct the defences of peace in the minds of men and women. As early as the fifth General Conference, it was noted that 'all UNESCO's work in every field is directed to securing improved international understanding'.
With the end of the Cold War and the renewed capacity of the United Nations to reach decisions on the issues of war and peace by consensus, it became evident that a new approach was needed by UNESCO that would contribute more effectively to UN efforts for peace.
In October 1992, the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 140th session debated an operational programme for promotion of a culture of peace. The proposal (140 EX/28) was submitted by the President of the Board's


Decision adopted by the Executive Board
of its 140th Session
(excerpts)

Recalling that the purpose of UNESCO, by virtue of its Constitution is 'to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, for the rule of law and for the human rights and fundamental freedoms which are affirmed for the peoples of the world, without distinction of race, sex, language or religion, by the Charter of the United Nations'.

Decides that an action programme shall be established, aimed at promoting a cutlure of peace, in particualr by strengthening and coordinating activities that have already been carried out in this connection under the various major programme areas.

Programme and External Relations Commission, Mr Ahmed Sayyad. Placed in the framework of An Agenda for Peace which had recently been issued by United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali, it called for local activities of reconciliation and co operation in countries where peace keeping operations had been implemented or could be anticipated. It envisioned this as a process in which the energies of peoples are channelled into a common struggle which benefits everyone.
Inspired by the proposal, the Board adopted a decision (140 EX/Decision 5.4.2) which invited the Director General to consult leading experts in the field and submit an action programme setting out practical activities to be undertaken for promoting a culture of peace.
In the debate of the twenty seventh General Conference in November, 1993, the Member States supported the Action Programme to Promote a Culture of Peace, stressing its linkage to a culture of democracy and human rights. They made provisions for its activities in UNESCO's Programme and Budget for 1994 1995.
In February, 1994, the Director General established a Unit for the Culture of Peace Programme under his direct authority assigning it the following functions:

• to co ordinate the refinement, through reflection, research and evaluation, of a methodology for the fostering of a culture of peace;

• to provide an integrated approach to the activities in the various units and field offices of UNESCO which contribute to the promotion of a culture of peace;

• to develop national and sub regional programmes of a culture of peace;

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The culture of peace is a process in which the energies of people are channelled into a common struggle for the benefit of all.

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