A Holistic Understanding of Peace and Violence PDF

A HOLISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF PEACE AND VIOLENCE Presenter: Norhamin Liwa ▪ What is a culture of peace? The Declaration (UN, 1998) states that "a culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions, modes of behavior and ways of life that reflect and inspire: ▪ Respect for...

A HOLISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF PEACE AND VIOLENCE Presenter: Norhamin Liwa ▪ What is a culture of peace? The Declaration (UN, 1998) states that "a culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions, modes of behavior and ways of life that reflect and inspire: ▪ Respect for life and for all human rights; ▪ rejection of violence in all its forms and commitment to the ▪ prevention of violent conflict by tackling their root causes through dialogue and negotiation; ▪ commitment to full participation in the process of equitably meeting the needs of present and future generations; ▪ promotion of the equal rights and opportunities of women and men; ▪ recognition of the right of everyone to freedom of expression, opinion and information; ▪ devotion to principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding between nations, between ethnic, religious, cultural and other groups, and between individuals. ▪ In the Philippines, a culture of peace framework has been developed out of the experiences and reflections of peace advocates in the country. ▪ The figure below is a graphic representation of this framework and was culled from the work of an active Mindanao peace advocate, Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro (Ledesma, 2007). ▪ In the following figure, six dimensions and six values are indicated. The categories are not meant to be exhaustive but they represent the major concerns and the needed values for the building of a culture of peace in the Philippines. ▪ To move closer to the goal of establishing a peace culture, it is absolutely important that personal and family integrity are A PHILIPPINE FRAMEWORK TOWARD A CULTURE OF PEACE ▪ In the Philippines, a culture of peace framework has been developed out of the experiences and reflections of peace advocates in the country. ▪ The figure below is a graphic representation of this framework and was culled from the work of an active Mindanao peace advocate, Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro (Ledesma, 2007). ▪ In the following figure, six dimensions and six values are indicated. The categories are not meant to be exhaustive but they represent the major concerns and the needed values for the building of a culture of peace in the Philippines. ▪ To move closer to the goal of establishing a peace culture, it is absolutely important that personal and family integrity areprotected and promoted. A PHILIPPINE FRAMEWORK TOWARD A CULTURE OF PEACE ▪ Keeping the self and the family whole, in view of the various forms of brokenness that surround them, is a foundation of a peace culture. ▪ Respect for human dignity, fundamental freedoms, democratic participation, the fulfillment of basic needs and economic equity are also major concerns in this framework because the aforementioned are roots of peace. ▪ Likewise, intercultural understanding or the acceptance and respect for the "different other" as well as caring for the environment contribute to peace. ▪ In view of the continuing threat of armed conflicts in the country, the cessation of armed hostilities is a ma- ▪ jor concern as well as the re-allocation of scarce resources from "arms to farms" or from buying/stockpiling weapons to undertaking activities that would redound to people's benefit. ▪ The values that aptly correspond to these dimensions are spirituality, justice, compassion, dialogue, active nonviolence and stewardship of/ sense of kinship with the Earth. These values are explained in greater detail in succeeding chapters. CULTURAL TRADITIONS WITH A BROAD CONCEPT OF PEACE ▪ The Greek concept of "irene" implies harmony and justice as well as the absence of physical violence. ▪ Similarly, the Arabic "sala'am" and the Hebrew "shalom" embrace not only the absence of war but also well-being, wholeness, and harmony with one's self and also between in- dividuals, within a community, and among nations. “Shalom” also means love, full health, prosperity, redistribution of goods and reconciliation. ▪ The Sanskrit concept of "shanti" refers not only to spiritual content- ment but also to peace of mind, peace of the earth, peace underneath the seas, peace in outer space- truly a cosmic view of peace. ▪ The Chinese "ping" implies harmony, achieving a unity out of diversity, comparable to the ancient Chinese concept of integrating seemingly opposed ele- ments as represented in the principles of yin and yang (Barash, 1999). ▪ It can be said that a holistic understanding of peace has been derived, on one hand, from a critical and practical analysis of what the yearning for a durable peace really demands (that is, it demands both the rejection of violence and the pursuit of certain positive conditions.). ▪ At the same time, the holistic view is also derived from certain ethical, cultural and historical roots that have influenced today's peace thinking.