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Order Promotes UN Culture of Peace

The 2002 General Chapter of the Order of St. Augustine decided that the Augustinian presence at the United Nations (U.N.) will focus special attention on the movement referred to as the Culture of Peace.

Culture of Peace is a movement developed in a series of documents sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (U.N.E.S.C.O.).

The Program of Action for the Culture of Peace was adopted in 1999. The years 2001 - 2010 have been proclaimed the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World.

Jack Deegan, O.S.A. and Hilary Tagliaferro, O.S.A., the Augustinian team at the U.N., and Midwest Augustinian John Paul Szura, O.S.A. are promoting the Associated School Project, an educational program for elementary and secondary schools that will focus on the creation of the culture of peace.

Culture of Peace is a movement based on six attitudes and values or keys that are meant to give rise to a world of respect, peace and justice. The keys are

• Respect for every human being's life and dignity

• Rejection of violence in all its forms (physical, social, sexual, economic, psychological), especially that violence which affects the vulnerable, such as children

• Sharing of resources to put an end to exclusion

• The defense of one's freedom to express one's views, opting to engage in dialogue as opposed to rejection

• Responsible consumerism that will foster respect for life and the balance of nature.

• Help to develop one's local community and give special attention to the promotion of democratic principles and the inclusion of women to create solidarity.

These values parallel basic Christian moral tenets, and are given concrete expression in traditional Catholic social teaching. It is hoped that, by the adoption and implementation of these principles on a broad basis, a Culture of Peace can be promoted.

Culture of Peace considers education as the means to achieve its goal. It asserts that the first step to getting the people to adopt the key principles is to help them to be aware of problems, not just in their communities but also in the world at large.

Along with the educational programs, the U.N. team will encourage teachers in Augustinian educational institutions to incorporate culture of peace education into lesson plans on a regular basis. They will also make an effort to keep Augustinian parishes and communities informed of global events that affect the creation of the culture of peace.

More Information

      » The U. N. Culture of Peace (Opens new window)
             Official United Nations information on the program

      » Associated School Project Network (Opens new window)
             U.N.E.S.C.O. program preparing children to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world

       » U.N.E.S.C.O. Associated Schools Project - U.S. State Department (Opens new window)
             A.S.P.Net in the U.S.A.; How your educational institution can apply to be an Associated School

      » InterConnections 21 (Opens new window)
             Global opportunities for schools in the United States

      » The Fight for Peace (.pdf file - Opens new window)
             Reflections on building a Culture of Peace in the 21st Century

Learn How Your School Can Be Part of ASP - Culture of Peace

We especially recommend that schools consider association with the Culture of Peace Program through participation in the Associated School Project Network. Specific information regarding associating an academic institution with the Culture of Peace movement may be obtained from

      Rev. John Paul Szura, O.S.A.
      Saint John Stone Friary
      1165 E. 54th Pl.
      Chicago, IL 60615-5109
      Telephone 773-684-6510, Ext. 17
      Request information by E-mail