Whilst we are planning behind the scenes for 2007 we would like to bring to your attention two important Conferences held at the end of 2006 to which we were invited:

1. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION  FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY,  Antalya, Turkey 19 -23 November 2006-

This was co.hosted by Israelis and Palistinians. The 'HINDU' published an article on the Conference which sums up very well the general content of the Conference:

Click Here to Read The Full Article .

Organized by the World Unity & Peace Education Department of  the City Montessori School, where the Conference also took place.

By Aditi Bhaduri - The Hindu

Two hundred Israelis and Palestinians engage each other in a refreshing climate of openness and honesty in the Turkish Mediterranean resort of Antalya.

EVEN as human chains were forming in Gaza to protect people from Israeli fire, an unusual sight was to be seen in the lobby of the five star Porto Bello hotel in the Turkish Mediterranean resort of Antalya. Some 200 Israelis and Palestinians arrived by a chartered flight for a four-day conference on peace education, in a bid to listen to each other's stories and to dialogue, discuss and ultimately find ways to end the senseless conflict that has been unleashed on all the inhabitants of that beautiful land for almost a century now.

A Ministry for Peace for Italy To Implement a Culture Of Peace

Drawing inspiration from the Ministry for Peace initiatives in Australia, Canada, UK, Japan and US, the proposed Minister would hold PEACE as an organizing principle in our Society and we would identify the following objectives as being part of the Minister's mandate:

1. Promote the role of Italy as a European and Global Peacemaker/Peacebuilder developing new approaches to conflict prevention and the transformation of conflicts by peaceful means, at home and abroad.
   
   
2. Foster a Culture of Peace through education at all levels of school/University and society in general by introducing training programmes in creating DIALOGUE, conflict prevention, and conflict transformation skills.
   
   
3. Promote RESPECT for all Human Rights by distributing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at all levels of society - which includes access to clean water - and fully implementing international instruments on Human Rights.
   
   
4. Ensure equality between men and women in social, economic and political decision making. Eliminate all forms of violence against women in crisis situations resulting from war and other forms of violence at home and in society.
   
   
5. Ensure greater involvement of women (art.1325) in conflict prevention and transformation.
   
   
6. Promote international peace through actions such as the promotion of HUMAN SECURITY, the promotion of disarmament and the strengthening of non military means of peacemaking.
   
   
7. Promote dialogue among civilisations, actions in favour of vulnerable groups, immigrants, refugees, displaced persons, stateless people and traditional groups. Promoting respect for religious and cultural diversity.
   
   
8. Target the eradication of poverty, focusing on the special needs of women and children, working towards environmental sustainability, fostering national and international co-operation to reduce economic and social inequalities.
   
   
9. Facilitate the development of peace and reconciliation initiatives and encourage the development of peacebuilding programs in local communities.
   
   
10.   Support for independent media in the promotion of a Culture of Peace, create measures to address the reporting of violence in the media, share knowledge and information through new technologies.
    

Given the recent escalation of conflict at home, in the media, in politics and across the world today, we are convinced that this is an idea whose time has come and we are committed to carrying this project forward together with our international colleagues everywhere.