The Etiology Of A Culture Of Violence And Maturation Toward A Culture Of Peace

Abstract

The concept of a culture of peace as an alternative to cultures of war and violence was initially discussed at a conference in 1989 at Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast. Based on the assumption that peace is more likely to occur if there is acceptance of common values and beliefs and a common governing body that could mediate any differences, a Program of Action with eight areas was developed as a foundation for a culture of peace program. The founders of this program proposed that, if practiced by all nation-states at the macro level, it could move nation-states from cultures of war and violence to a culture of peace. A relationship between a culture of war and a culture of violence has been established as has the direction of learning violent behaviour which is top-down. What has not been demonstrated to date is the relationship between cultures of war and violence and a culture of peace, and the direction of learning attributes of culture. In addition, what has not been demonstrated is whether the macro areas of UNESCO's Program of Action can be successfully applied at a micro individual level. This research demonstrates that there are similarities between cultures of war and violence at the macro level, and a culture of peace at the micro level, and that education and praxis at the latter will facilitate intervention at the former. This will occur as individuals become aware and gain the skills to implement the eight areas within UNESCO's Program of Action as a means of dealing with differences and, as a result, mature toward a culture of peace. The direction of the learning attributes of culture is bottom-up. Peace building, peace maintenance and the prevention of conflict should be facilitated as a result of the maturation process.