THE CONTRIBUTIONBY RELIGIONS (

TO THE CULTUREOF PEACE

A meeting organizedby UNESCOand the CentreUNESCOde )
Catalunyawith the support of the CatalanGovernment
I
Barcelona,Spain, 12-18 December1994

FINAL REPORT

CONTENTS

1. Background
2, Objectives
3, Deliberations
4, The BarcelonaDeclaration
5. Unique Features
6. Conclusionsand Further Work
7, Annexes
THE CONTRIBUTION BY RELIGIONS TO THE CULTURE OF PEACE
FINAL REPORT

Photos:
JestisAlar&
Pablo Pecoustan

Written by
Kishore Singh, UNESCOHuman Rights Unit

Publishedby
CENTREUNESCODE CATALLJNYA
Mallorca, 285
08037Barcelona(Spain)

Barcelona,May 1995
LD B-22224/95

Printed in Estudi-6
Ecologicpaper

- .._ ---
Background
In our violence riven world, peace-buildinghas be-
comeimperative.In responseto the challengeof peace-
building containedin the United Nations Secretary-Gen-
eral’sAgendafor Peace,UNESCOhas assumeda new and
dynamic role, aimed at encouragingand reinforcing a
culture of peacein post-conflict,especially pre-conflict
situations.
In the past, wars and violencewere considerednatural
and inevitable. Today we know that more rational and
humanalternativesfor resolving conflicts are availableto
us. But we do not yet have the ideas,beliefs,symbolsand
methodswe need to orient culture as a whole towards
peace.In many respects,finance and industry are de-
signedby war, scienceis committedto developingweap-
ons and the media provide coverageof war and fail to
explain the pathsof peace.The role of culture needsto be
reorientatedand a new consensusreachedon the possibil-
ity of peace,the foundationsof peaceand the responsibil-
ity of peace.UNESCOwants to provide the setting, the
drive and the consensusfor reflectionson the culture of
peace.A culture of peaceis the processof building trust
and co-operationbetweenpeoples.Its basic tenet is that
the efforts of the whole of internationalcommunitymust
be mobilized in a way that the governmentsand the
people are imbued with a new culture to fight social
injustice and that their resourcesare devoted to social
progressand peace-building.It postulatesnew behav-
ioural pattern basedon tolerance,mutual understanding
and respect,and solidarity.
In order to contributeto the creationof a culture of
peace,UNESCOinitiated a dialogue with the religious
traditions and peaceresearchcentresduring the 1992-
1993 biennium. Following the decision of the Twenty
Sixth GeneralConference,a collaborationwas established
with the CentreUNESCOde Catalunya,Barcelona(Spain)
and a meetingwas organizedunder its auspicesin co-
operation with UNESCOand with the support of the
Governmentof Catalunyafrom 13- 18April 1993on (( The
Contribution by Religionsto the Culture of Peace)I.
The event brought togethernearly fifty representative
figures from the religious traditions and from peacere-
searchcentres.The aim of the Meetingwas to look at the
relationship between religions and the conflicts taking
place in the world today and stimulatereflection on the
possiblecontributionsbv religionsto the creationof a new
culture of peace. Judgingfrom level of participation,the
quality of the ideas and the testimoniespresented,the
Meeting was very successful,especially,as regardsthe
spirit of peacein which it took place.Although therewere
peoplefrom highly conflictive areaslike the Balkans,the
Middle East, Cambodiaand Tibet, all the participants
benefitedfrom very sincereand very fraternal communi-
cation The paperspresentedto the Meeting were pub-
lished by the CentreUNESCOde Catalunyain February
1994.The recommandations and proposalsput forward
during the meeting,were conveyedto UNESCO.
Importanceof following up the dialoguebeganin Bar- ~
celonareceivedwide recognition,especiallyin apprecia- ~
tion of its potential for contributing to the creationand
strengtheningof a culture of peace.UNESCOand the
Centre UNESCOde Catalunyadecided to hold another
meetingon this important subjectwith the intention of
continuing the dialogue begun in Barcelona.
Objectives
The main objectiveof this dialogueis to concentrateon
cultural aspectsof peaceand on the relationshipbetween
the culture of peaceand the wisdomof the greatreligious
traditions. For many human beings,peaceis still an im-
possibledream.In 1993and 1994,the war has continued ~
againstCroatia and Bosnia,violencehas been unleashed
in Rwandaand manycountrieshave suffered,publicly or
in silence,the effects of intolerance,discriminationand
military occupation.
Many eminent religious figures from over a dozen
religious traditions, as well as several renownedpeace ~
researchers, prominenteducators,social workersand po- )
litical personalities,were brought togetherin the meeting 1
organizedby the CentreUNESCOde Catalunyain coop- ’
erationwith UNESCOand with the supportof the Catalan
Government,at Barcelonafrom 12 - 18 December1994
(Annex I is a list of participantsin the Meeting).
As a continuationof a dialogue amongand reflection
by religious traditions of the world, initiated in1993the :
relationship between religions and the conflicts taking i
place in the world today neededto be examinedmore
closely in order to stimulate thinking on the possible
contributionby religions to the creationof a new culture
of peace.
The Meeting in December1994was conceivedto be a ~
logical and necessarydevelopmentof the first Meeting. i
Further reflexions on the themes discussedand ideas ,
expressedwere undoubtedly vital, in order to enhance
their impact and seethe resultsbear fruits tangibly. The
reflexions and discussionsat the Meeting in December
1994were, therefore,oriented towards elaborationof a
Declarationon the Contribution by the Religionsto the
Culture of Peace.In addition to such a focus,it was also
opportuneto provide a forum for the expressionby the
religious traditions of their keen interest in tolerance,
mutual understandingand respect. The 1994 Meeting
therefore,proved to be unique opportunity for the great
religious traditions to strengthenactivities of UtiESCOin
the context of the United Nations Year for Tolerance
(1995)and to contributeto the 50th AnniversaryCelebra-
tions of the United Nations and UNESCO.
Deliberations
Major themesdiscussedduring the meetingwere: re-
flectionson the culture of peace;theoriesof peace;culture
of peaceand religions; possibility of a global spirituality.
AnnexeII furnishesinformation as to the themesdis-
cussedand the presentationsby the key speakers.
In his openingaddress,Prof. J. Symonides,Director of
the Division of Human Rights, Democracyand Peace,
UNESCO,alluded to certain problems and challenges
facing international community. Elucidating a broader
conceptof culture, mark’edby toleranceand a spirit of
mutual understandingin daily life, he underlinedthe role
of religious educationin the context of consolidationof
peace.UNESCOexpectsfrom the religious traditions and
peace-makers the healing touch so much neededin the
presentday world. The world needsrebirth through spir-
itual and ethical values.
Joining Prof. J. Symonidesin welcoming the partici-
pants,DoctorFelix Marti, Directorof the CentreUNESCO
de Catalunya,raised some key issues for the delibera-
tions Acceptingpluralism so that no tradition claims a
monopoly over thruth, we must respect our different
beliefs. The balancebetweenlocal cultures and universal
cultures must be preserved.We must also respectthe
specificmessage eachreligious tradition carriesfor justice
and freedom.There cannot be peaceif we constructa
world that fails to respectthe dignity of all cultural
traditions. The contribution the religious traditions can
make to peace must be appreciated.We need a new
horizon - a more humansfuture.
Welcomingthe participants on behalf of the Catalan
Government,His ExcellencyJoan M. Pujals, the Educa-
tion Minister of the CatalanGovernmentthrew light on
the historical peaceinitiatives and peaceconcernsof the
Catalunyaregion even in the periods of conflicts.
The Meeting was characterizedby very active interac-
tion amongall the participations,and by very rich inter-
ventions and presentations,and addressesby the reli-
gious dignitaries,by the renownedpeaceresearchersand
academiciansand by the educators.
Tenzin Gyatso,His Holinessthe Dalai Lama,who was
specially invited to addressthe Meeting, dwelt on the
richnessof eachculture and of the importanceof cultural
interactionamongpeoplefor mutual respectand for pro-
moting values of a peacefulworld.
Major issue is preservationof peaceful culture. Sad
eventsoccur daily, and the prime needis for prevention,
as well as for ((internal disarmament)), to eradicateinter-
nal elementsof anger hatred and intolerance.Idea of
religious pluralism is very healthy developmentand we
mustpromoteactivitiessuchas joint pilgrimagefor peace-
building.
Meetingwas also addressedby AshkenaziChief Rabbi
of Israel who underlined the need for supporting the
efforts of eachpeople,conduciveto a culture of peacein
contemporaryhistory and international relations and
solidarity with those who have been victims of violence
and of racism, xenophobiaand aggresivenationalism.
Dr Johan Galtung elucidated peacepotential of reli-
gions and the notions of ((hard and ((soft 1) religions,
(evenas we have ((hard )) and ((soft 1)liberalism,((hard ))
and ((soft)) democracies).Religion has not beenrevealed
oncefor all ; we haveonly its partial glimpses.It is for us
to emphasizeand create ideologies that are both soft,
unifing peaceful,world encompassing,yet pluralist.
The importanceof communitylevel action for building
a culture of peace,of personalinvolvementin living the
principles in local level was highlighted by Dr. Elise
Boulding. She advocatedthe need for transformingem-
battled communitiesthrough inward struggle into the
communitiesof believers,living at peace.The challenge
we face is one of developingspecificpeacemakingreso-
lution, recognizingwomenas partnersin peaceand glo-
bal peaceservices.
Ratherthan big global conflicts, it is the internal and
social conflicts that Dr Louis EdmondPettiti wanted a
culture of peaceto eliminate.We must reflect over the
responsibility of the religions and of even the non-toler-
anceof religionsthemselves. Internationalpeaceis a matter
for the Statesand international conventions.
Inner and other aspectsof peace and non-violence,
were presentedby Dr Paul Smoker.This is a dimension
which deservesgreater attention of peace researchers.
Religionscan in the future contributeto a morepeaceful
world
According to Dr RaimonPannikar,we must propose
action for fosteringpeace,while recognizingcultural plu-
ralism. For building peace,we have to changenot only
individual behaviour but collective structures.
Valuable experienceof inculcating and nurturing a
culture of peacethrough home education and through
educational processeswas presentedby His Majesty
GanyongaIII, Fon of Bali.
The participants in the Meeting underlined that the
. -
culture of peaceis sharedaspirationby the entire human-
ity for a better future through the settling of conflictsby
non-violent means,and the establishmentof reasonable,
just and harmoniousconditions for people of different
culture to live together.Basicaffirmationsof the culture
of peaceare very related to the fundamentalcontentsof
cultural, ethical and religious traditions of humanity.
During the discussions,it was emphasizedthat for creat-
ing a culture of peace,pluralismand the diversity mustbe
recognized for promoting harmonious living among
multicultural societies.Normative basesof a culture of
peaceneed to be elaboratedbasedon a set of principles
and values commonto all humankind.At the sametime,
we must respectthe originality of each culture and its
specificvalues and reassertthat eachof all cultures con-
tributes to universal values.
As membersof different religious traditions and peace
researchcentresinvolved in the effort of international
communityto build, peace,the participantsin the Meet-
ing expressedtheir convictionthat the religious traditions
and all human communitiesmust contribute to the crea-
tion of a new cultureof peacein which the individualsand
communitiesof today’s world can live togetherin peace
and harmony. All religious traditions contain inspira-
tions, ideasand practicesthat cancontributeto the culture
of peaceand that the entire humancommunityshould be
madeawareof the principles,the wisdorn and the energy
in our traditions and their contribution to peace.
Religioustraditions can be enrichedby values of de-
mocracy,pluralism, equality betweenmen and women,
freedomof expressionand in general a willingness to
presentdoctrinesand practicesin the light of presentand
future challenges.
The participantsin the Meeting pledged to teach the
value and the importanceof humandignity, so that loving
relations betweenindividuals and peoplesare built and
all peoplecan inhabit the earth respectfullyand harmoni-
ously. For this sake,high importancewas given to encour-
aging conductsmarkedby compassion,wisdom, tender-
ness, generosity,charity, serenity, willingness, solidarity
and love, at the sametime encouragingeveryoneto choose
the path of freedomand responsability.
In order to contribute to peacebuilding process,the
different religious traditions must offer guidanceto the
faithful and to thosewho acceptthe moralauthority of our
traditions. Non-violencemust be recognizedas an abso-
lute ethical necessity.
Committedfully to the mobilisationof all forcesin the
fight against the growing manifestationof racism,xeno-
phobia,new forms of discriminationand national aggres-
siveness,the participantsin the BarcelonaMeeting called
upon their fellow brothersand sistersbelongingto differ-
ent religious or cultural traditions to join handstogether
in an endeavourtowardscreatinglasting conditionsfor a
culture of non violence,mutual understanding,tolerance
and social harmony.They emphasizedthat it is incum-
bent upon every one to work towardsand contributeto a
global ethics,which, drawing upon the true spirit of all
religions, can give strength and momentumto peace-
building and to a culture of universal peaceand solidar-
ity.
The BarcelonaDeclaration
A small, open-endedgroup of participantsexamineda
draft of a Declarationon the contributionby religions to
the culture of peace,presentedby Mr Daniel G6mez
Ibariez and Dr Raimon Panikkar.As a committee,this
group worked elaboratelyon the final draft of a Declara-
tion. Further discussionson this draft in the plenary
sessionresultedin a numberof valuablesuggestionsand
observations.Taking duly all theseinto consideration,the
final version of the Declarationwas unanimouslyadopt-
ed during the Meeting.
In his presentation,Dr K. Singh, Division of Human
Rights, Democracyand Peace,UNESCOcommendedthe
way the Declarationreinforced UNESCO’sethical mis-
sion As the Declarationshowed,peacewas at the heart of
both UNESCOand religious traditions. In deferenceto
the wishes expressedby several participants, Dr Singh
apprisedthemof the key activitiesof UNESCOfor the UN
Year of Tolerance(1995).
The deliberationsat the BarcelonaMeeting led to a
Declarationon The Role of Religion in the Promotionof
a Culture of Peace.Exhibiting the seriousnessof dialogue
among different religious traditions for contributing to
the creation of a culture of peace,the Declarationwas
signedby the eminentreligious figures and all the partic-
ipants during a public ceremonyat the Parliamentof
Catalunya and presented to the Director-Generalof
UNESCO.
Expressingthe kernel of deliberations,the Declaration
is the first of its kind for a culture of peace,exhibiting in
unequivocalterms, collective determinationand person-
al commitmentof all the participantsfor a cultureof peace.
What is remarkablewas that membersof so many differ-
ent religious traditions participating in the Meeting un-
dertookfully their responsibilityto do all that is possible
for encouragingand promotinga culture of peaceand for
spreadinga messageof peace,enshrinedin this Declara-
tion
The Declarationgives expressionto the uneasefelt by
representativesof religious traditions, peacemakers,
edu-
cators and social actors towards the phenomenumof
tolerance,violence, racism, xenophobia,aggressivena-
tionalism, the denial of human rights and exclusion.
Damagingethnic conflicts and civic strifes afflicting the
world call for necessarymeasuresto counter tendancies
towardsfanaticism,characterizedby a loss of orientation
in ethics and religion. It is of paramountimportanceto
reinforcebasic knowledgein religious ethics and values
for peopleof differentfaiths,and their valuesand waysof
life.
The Declarationis a demonstrationof firm commit-
ment of religious traditions and peacemakersto place
highest priority on activities in favour of the encourage-
ment of understanding,solidarity and tolerancebetween
people, between ethnic, social, cultural and religious
groups, and betweennations.
The Declarationacknowledgesthat ((in the courseof
humanhistory religious traditions and ethical ideals have
frequentlybeenusedto justify wars and injustices,but we
believe that the real messagebehind religious and ethical
beliefs is unerringly directedat peaceand fraternity.)) It
is a powerful statement,disowningthosegroupswho are
fanaticalin the nameof religious traditions, who become
extremistsand often justify violencein the nameof reli-
gion
Noting that even religiously-motivated((political re-
gimesmay do seriousharm to religious valuesas well as
to society,)) the Declaration’ssignatoriespledged that
((we will remain mindful that our religions must not
identify themselveswith political, economic,or social
powers.We should distinguish fanaticismfrom religious
zeal. ))
The Declarationexpressessolidarity with all non-vio-
lent peace-makers
and pledgedto ((favour peaceby coun-
tering the tendenciesof individuals and communitiesto
assumeor to teach that they are inherently superior to
others. ))
The BarcelonaDeclarationis a solemnstatementmade
by all the participantswith one voice that they condemn
violencewhereverit occurs,specially violenceperpetrat-
ed in the nameof religion. It is equally opportunein the
context of the decisionof the UNESCOExecutiveBoard
taken during its 145thSessionin Oct.-Nov.1994on the
((Necessityto promoteknowledgeof and dialogueamong
religions1)and to ((highlight the fact that peaceis the
ultimate purpose of all UNESCO’sactivities1).
The text of the BarcelonaDeclarationis presentedin
Annex II.
The Director-Generalof UNESCO,who addressedthe
public at the signingceremonyrenderedhomageto all the
religious traditions.Appreciatingtheir so valuablecontri-
bution to UNESCO’sconstitutionalmandatefor peace,he
very warmly welcomedthe momentumfor building a
culture of peacethrough sharedreligious action and de-
claredthat he would be presentingthe Declarationto the
UNESCOExecutive Board and that the Organizatioin
will fully support its disseminationand follow-up.
The Director-Generalalso addressedthe closing ses-
sion of the Meeting and commendedthe partnershipfor
peacebeing forged with religious traditions and peace-
makers He said it is time to contemplatemisfortuneof
humankindand limit what is not tolerable.Challengelies
in our responsibilityfor the future. We must attachhigh
importanceto the practice of values enshrined in the
UniversalDeclarationof HumanRights.Culture is a way
to understandand convey the values.
The closing sessionwas also addressedby the Director
of Extra-EuropeanArea and Cooperationof the Catalan
Government,Hon. JaumeGine who expressedthe sup-
port of the Catalan Governmentand the people to
UNESCO’speacemission and its activities for the UN
Yearfor Tolerance(1995).He pointedout that threespheres
of civilization face each other acrossthe Mediterranean
and that Europeis characterizedby diversity which must
be preservedas an elementof balanceand this implies the
defenceof human rights and fundamentalliberties.
Unique Features
A uniquefeatureof the Meetingwas ecumenicalprayer
eachmorning before the beginning of the day’s session.
These‘prayersfor peace’by different religions were de-
monstrativeof the path for inter-religiousunderstanding
and mutual respect.
The BarcelonaMeeting showed high interest in the
inter-relationshipbetweenhuman rights and peace.The
participants clearly recognizedthe need for educational
and other measuresfor ensuringrespectfor humanrights.
Theeducationaldimensionis alsovital with respectto the
conceptof tolerance,Whatis appreciableis that during the
Meeting,the needto perceivetolerancein a larger spirit -
encompassing respectfor the other - wasbrought in lime-
light. It was clear from the discussionsthat the vision of
tolerancemust be broad enough to connotemutual un-
derstandingand comprehension.Such a large perspec-
tive has definite value for carrying further UNESCO’s
work as a coordinatingagencyfor the UN Yearfor Toler-
ance (1995).
1
I The importancethe religions have in human life - in
influencing cultural perceptions and behavioural pat-
terns - receivedfull appreciationduring the Meeting. It
was felt that full recognitionmust be given to the role of
religious leadersas peace-builders,and to the relationship
betweenculture of peaceand great wisdom of religious
traditions.
The Barcelona Meeting demonstratedbeyond any
doubt that peaceis possible,that peacemovementcan be
built by inter-religion and inter-faith dialogue and that
spiritual strengthof religious traditions can be mobilized
in giving UNESCOa helping hand for creatingand pro-
moting a culture of peace.The Meetingmadeit clear that
peacelies at the heart of all religions, seenin their true
spirit, and that the eminentreligious figures are well dis-
posed to support UNESCO’sethical and peacemission.
The BarcelonaMeeting thus provided a commonfo-
rum for great religious traditions, renowned peacere-
searchers,prominenteducatorsand social actors,political
figures and various non-governmentalorganizationsas
well as mediapersonnelto dedicatethemselvesto a cul-
ture of peace.It underlinesthe importancereligions have
in humanlife, in cultural perceptionsand in behavioural
patterns.The dialoguewith eminentreligious figures and
membersof a vast range of religious traditions opensup
new vistas for UNESCO’sendeavourfor a culture of
peace.Though UNESCOcooperateswith several non-
governmentalorganizations,(including some having re-
ligious affiliation) which have a consultativestatus with
the Organization,it is for the first time that greatreligious
traditions from all over the world have given expression
to collectively support and strengthenUNESCO’speace
mission.
The momentumbuilt at Barcelona,indeed, provides
UNESCOa unique opportunity in getting strength from
spiritual forcesof immensepotential in its endeavourto
createa culture of peace.
Conclusionsand Further Work
The messageof peaceconveyedin the BarcelonaDee-
laration is being disseminatedthroughout the world. The
public interestit is evokingwould significantly contribute
to UNESCO’swork for the creationand strengtheningof
a culture of peace.
In appreciationof this, the DirectorGeneralof UNESCO,
Professor Federico Mayor has brought the Barcelona
Declarationto the attentionof the Membersof UNESCO’s
ExecutiveBoard, soliciting their support in strengthenig
this encouraginginitiative.
He has also requestedall the National Commissionsfor
UNESCOas well as all the PermanentDelegationsof the
MemberStatesfor mobilisingall effortsto disseminatethe
messageof peacein intellectual and scientific community
and for arousing wide public interest in this noble
endeavour.
All concernednon-governmentalorganizations have
also beenapproachedby UNESCO,so that all thoseinter-
estedcould adhereto the BarcelonaDeclarationand that
non-governmentalorganizationscould take measuresfor
making the Declarationwidely known and for spreading ~
messageof Peace.
The follow-up work discussedby the participantspre-
ceding the closing sessionwas very encouraging.Sum-
ming up the discussion on this point, ProfessorJ. (
Symonides,UNESCODivision of Human Rights, De-
mocracyand Peace,noted a number of proposalson
which consensuswas reached.They included, inter alia:-
the organizationof the follow-up conferencein 1996/97,
the publication of the conferencedocumentsand, prepa-
ration of a specialmonographon the role of religionsin the
promotionof a culture of peace.The CentreUNESCOde 1
Catalunya was asked to play, in co-operation with 1
UNESCO,a coordinatingrole rn the implementationof a
i
follow-up programme.
The BarcelonaMeetingshould be seenas an appealto (
the whole interantional community- statesand interna-
tional organizations,to emergingglobal as wee1as to
national civil societies,to social groupsand communities,
religious, political, cultural and professional organiza-
tions, associations,unions and parties, scientific bodies,
popular movements,youth and women, education and i
media personnel, and to all individuals-to contribute
fully to nurturing the culture of peace.Preventingvio- 1
lencewhereverit occursand uproot the causesof conflicts
before they take root, the Participantsin the Barcelona 1
Meetingfelt that it was imperativeto developa culture to ~
which theseare alien, and which canbe the rallying point
for solidarity and for intercultural vision of the future. 1
I
I Further Information
Copiesof the BarcelonaDeclarationin any of the official 1
United Nations languages (Arabic, Chinese, English,
French,Russian,Spanish)can be obtainedfrom:
I
ProfessorFelix Marti, Director
Centre UNESCOde Catalunya
Mallorca, 285
Barcelona08037(Spain)
Fax : (34)(3) 45758 51
or:
ProfessorJanusz Symonides,Director
UNESCODivision of Human Rights,
Democracyand Peace
1, rue Miollis
75015Paris (France)
Fax: (33)(1) 43 06 72 03
7
ANNEX1 Prof. BUHLER, HANS
LISTOFPARTICIPANTS
IN THE PADAGOGISCHE HOCHSCHULE WEINGARTEN
CONFERENCE Kirchplatz, 2
7987 Weingarten Germany
Ven. ABE, MASAO Tel. 49.703.271149 Fax. 49.751.501200
KYOTO SCHOOL OF ZENBUDISM
362 Kamigoryo Banba-Cho Kamikyo-Ku Sister DIMARANAN, MARIANI
Kyoto 602 Japan TASK FORCEDETAINEESOF THE PHILIPPINES
Tel. 81.75.231
26 97 45, Saint Mary Street Cubao
Quezon City 1002 Philippines
Mrs. ABEDIN, SALEHA Tel. 632.91136 43 Fax. 632.91254 72
INSTITUTE OF MUSLIM MINORITARY AFFAIRS
46, GoodgeStreet Mr. ELSAMMAN, AL1
London WIP 1FJ United Kingdom ASSOCIATIONPOUR LE DIALOGUE
Tel. 4471.63667 40 Fax. 44.71.25514 73 INTERNATIONAL ISLAMO-CHRETIEN
11,rue de Berri
Mr. ABI-GHANEM, ANTOINE 75008Paris France
CENTREDE RECHERCHE SUR LES DROITSDE Tel. 33.1.45612318 Fax. 33.1.45612332
L’HOMMEET DE LA FAMILLE - Facultede Droit
Byblos Liban Prof. ESTRUCH,JOAN
Tel. 961.9.906950 Fax. 961.9.906800 CENTREDE RECERCASOCIOLOGIADE LA
RELIC10
Mr. AL-DAJANI, AHMED SIDQI RamblaJardi, 43
ARAB ORGANISATIONFOR HUMAN RIGHTS E-08190Mirasol Catalunya
17, Midan Aswan. Mohandessin Tel. 34.3.67429 18
Guizeh Egypt
Tel. 20.2.34665 82 Fax. 20.2.34481 66 Mgr. FERNANDES,ANGELO
ARCHBISHOP’S HOUSE
Dr. ARAM, M. 1, Ashok Place
WORLDCONFERENCE ON RELIGIONAND PEACE 110001New Delhi India
P.17. Kovaipudur Coimbatore 641042 Tel. 91.11.343457 Fax. 91.11.3746575
Tamil Nadu India
Tel. 91.42280271 Fax. 91.422.80271 Prof. FILIBECK, GIORGIO
CONSEILPONTIFICALJUSTICEET PAIX
Rabbi BANDEL, EHUD PiazzaSan Calisto, 16
RABBISFOR HUMAN RIGHTS 00153 Roma Italia
Harlapstreet,2 (P.O.Box32225) Tel. 39.6.69887191 Fax. 39.6.69887205
91999 Jerusalem Israel
Tel. 972.2.783773 Fax. 972.2.782441 Mr. FISAS,VICENC
CENTRE UNESCO DE CATALUNYA
Ms. BECKER,JO Mallorca,285- pral 2
THE FELLOWSHIPOF RECONCILIATION E-08037 Barcelona Catalunya
P.O. Box 271, Nyack Tel. 34.3.2071716 Fax. 34.3.45758 51
10960New York U.S.A.
Tel. 1.914.3584601 Fax. 1.914.3584924 Mgr. FITZGERALD,MICHAEL LOUIS
PONTIFICIOCONSIGLIOPER IL DIALOG0
I’. BOTAM, JOAN INTER-RELIGIOSO
CENTRE ECUMENIC DE CATALUNYA Via dell’Erba, 1
CardenalVives i Tut& 16 00120Citta de1Vatican0Italia
E-08034 Barcelona Catalunya Tel. 39.6.6984321 Fax.39.6.6984494
Tel. 343.2043458
Ms. FUOSS,SIMONE
Mrs. BOULDING, ELISE c/o Prof. Biihler
INTERNATIONAL PEACE RESEARCHASSEMBLY PADAGOGISCHE HOCHSCHULE WEINGARTEN
Box 327, University of Colorado Kirchplatz, 2
Boulder, CO 80309-0327 U.S.A. 7987 Weingarten Germany
Tel. 1.303.4922550 Fax. 1.303.4926388 Tel. 49.751.501327 Fax. 49.751.501200

9
Prof. GALTUNG, JOHAN Rev. JOBLIN, JOSEPH
EUROPEAN PEACE UNIVERSITY PONTIFICIA UNIVERSITA GREGORlANA
51, Bois Chatton Piazzadella Pilotta, 4
01210 Versonnex France 00187 Roma Italia
Tel. 33.50427306 Fax. 33.50427506 Tel. 39.6.67011 Fax. 39.6.670154 13

H.M. GANYONGAIII FON OF BALI Rev. KOJA, ALEXANDER

P.O.Box01 Bali (Bamenda) MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE, INTERRELIGIOUS
North West Province Cameroon RELATIONS
Tel. 237.206321 Fax. 237.208570 Danilov Monastery,22 Danilovsky Val.
Moscow 113191 Russia
Mr. GEBHARDT,GUNTHER Tel. 7.095.954
04 54 Fax. 7.095.23026 19
WORLDCONFERENCE ON RELIGIONAND PEACE
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11

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1 ANNEX2 I

DECLARATION I
ONTHEROLEOFRELIGION
IN THEPROMOTION
OFA CULTUREOFPEACE I

We, participantsin the meeting,“The Contribution by Religionsto the Culture of Peace,”organizedby UNESCOand /
the CentreUNESCOde Catalunya,which took place in Barcelonafrom 12 to 18 December,1994,
Deeplyconcernedwith the presentsituation of the world, such as increasingarmedconflictsand violence,poverty,social
injustice, and structuresof oppression;
Recognizingthat religion is important in human life;
Declare:

OUR WORLD
1. Welive in a world in which isolationis no longerpossible.We live in a time of unprecedented mobility of peoplesand
intermingling of cultures.We are all interdependentand sharean inescapableresponsibilityfor the well-beingof the entire
world.
2. Wefacea crisis which could bring aboutthe suicideof the humanspeciesor bring us a new awakeningand a new hope.
We believethat peaceis possible.We know that religion is not the sole remedyfor all the ills of humanity,but it has an
indispensablerole to’ play in this most critical time.
3. We are awareof the world’s cuitural and religious diversity. Eachculture representsa universein itself and yet it is
not closed.Culturesgive religions their language,and religions offer ultimate meaningto eachculture. Unlesswe recognize
pluralism and respectdiversity, no peaceis possible.We strive for the harmonywhich is at the very core of peace.
4. We understandthat culture is a way of seeingthe world and living in it. It also meansthe cultivation of thosevalues
and formsof life which reflect the world-views of eachculture. Thereforeneither the meaningof peacenor of religion can
be reducedto a single and rigid concept,just as the rangeof humanexperiencecannotbe conveyedby a single language.
5 For somecultures, religion is a way of life, permeatingevery human activity. For others it representsthe highest
aspirationsof human existence.In still others,religions are institutions that claim to carry a messageof salvation.
6. Religionshave contributedto the peaceof the world, but they have also led to division, hatred, and war. Religious
peoplehave too often betrayedthe high ideals they themselveshave preached.We feel obliged to call for sincereacts of
repentanceand mutual forgiveness,both personallyand collectively, to one another,to humanity in general,and to Earth
and all living beings.

PEACE
7. Peaceimplies that love, compassion,human dignity, and justice are fully preserved.
8. Peaceentails that we understandthat we are all interdependentand related to one another.We are all individually
and collectively responsiblefor the commongood, including the well-being of future generations.
9. Peacedemandsthat we respectEarthand all formsof life, especiallyhumanlife. Our ethical awarenessrequiressetting
limits to technology.We should direct our efforts towards eliminating consumerismand improving the quality of life.
10. Peaceis a journey -- a never ending process.

COMMITMENT
11.Wemustbe at peacewith ourselves;we strive to achieveinner peacethroughpersonalreflectionand spiritual growth,
and to cultivate a spirituality which manifestsitself in action.
12. We commitourselvesto support and strengthenthe homeand family as the nursery of peace.

In homesand families, communities,nations, and the world:

13.We commitourselvesto resolveor transformconflictswithout using violence,and to preventthem through education

and the pursuit of justice.

12
 14. We commit ourselvesto work towardsa reduction in the scandalouseconomicdifferencesbetweenhuman groups
and other formsof violenceand threatsto peace,suchas wasteof resources,extremepoverty,racism,all typesof terrorism,
lack of caring, corruption, and crime.
15. We commit ourselvesto overcomeall forms of discrimination,colonialism,exploitation, and domination and to
promoteinstitutions basedon sharedresponsibility and participation.Human rights, including religious freedomand the
rights of minorities, must be respected.
16. We commitourselvesto assurea truly humaneeducationfor all. We emphasizeeducationfor peace,freedom,and
human rights, and religious educationto promoteopennessand tolerance.
17. We commitourselvesto a civil societywhich respectsenvironmentaland social justice. This processbeginslocally
and continuesto national and trans-nationallevels.
18. We commitourselvesto work towards a world without weaponsand to dismantlethe industry of war.

RELIGIOUSRESPONSIBILITY
19. Our communitiesof faith have a responsibility to encourageconduct imbued with wisdom, compassion,sharing,
charity, solidarity, and love; inspiring one and all to choosethe path of freedomand responsibility.Religionsmust be a
sourceof helpful energy.
20. We will remain mindful that our religions must not identify themselveswith political, economic,or social powers,
so as to remainfree to work for justiceand peace.We will not forgetthat confessional political regimesmay do seriousharm
to religious values as well as to society.We should distinguish fanaticismfrom religious zeal.
21.We will favor peaceby counteringthe tendenciesof individuals and communitiesto assumeor even to teachthat the)
are inherently superior to others.We recognizeand praisethe non-violentpeacemakers. We disown killing in the nameof
religion.
22. We will promotedialogueand harmonybetweenand within religions, recognizingand respectingthe searchfor truth
and wisdomthat is outsideour religion. We will establish dialoguewith all, striving for a sincerefellowship on our earthly
pilgrimage.

APPEAL
23. Grounded in our faith, we will build a culture of peacebased on non-violence,tolerance,dialogue, mutual
understanding,and justice. We call upon the institutions of our civil society, the United Nations System, governments,
governmentaland non-governmentalorganizations,corporations,and the massmedia, to strengthentheir commitments
to peaceand to listen to the cries of the victims and the dispossessed. We call upon the different religious and cultural
traditions to join hands togetherin this effort, and to cooperatewith us in spreadingthe messageof peace.

Signed by the choirpetws of the session

JOAQUIM XICOY, Presideilto/ the Ptirliamentqf C~taionia

FEDERICOMAYOR, Director-Generai of UNESCO

and the following participants

MASAO ABE, Kyoto Schoolof Zenbudism,SALEHA ABEDIN, hlstitute for Muslim Minoritnry Affairs,,ANTOINE ABI-
GHANEM,Centrede Recherche sur les Droits de I’Hommeet de In Famille,Bybfos,Liban,JOAN ALBAIGES,Ce&e UNESCO
de Catalunya, AHMED SIDQI AL-DAJANI, Arab Organisatiorzjar HumanRights,M. ARAM, World Conferewe071 Religioll
and Peace,EHUD BANDEL, Rabbisfor HumanRights, JO BECKER,Fellowshipof Reconciliation, JOAN BOTAM, Centre
Ecumt?nicde Catalunya,ELISE BOULDING,lnternationoi PeaceResearchAssembly, HANS BOHLER, Piidqogische Hochschule
Weingnrten,JOAN CARRERA,Bishopof Barcelona,MARIANI DIMARANAN, TaskForceDetainees of the Philippines,ALI
ELSAMMAN,Associationpour le Dialoguelnternationaifsfamo-Chretien,JOAN ESTRUCH,Centrede Recercnde Sociologic
de la Religi6,ANGELO FERNANDES,ArchbishopEmeritusof Neal Delhi, VICENC FISAS, CentreUNESCOde Cntalulzya,
SIMONE FUOSS,Piidagogische HochschuleWeingarten,GANYONGA III, Fon oj Bali, GijNTHER GEBHARDT,World
Conferenceon Religion and Peace, MAHA GHOSANANDA,DhammayietraCentre for Peaceand non Violence,LAMAR
GIBBLE,WorldCouncil of Churches, DANIEL GOMEZIBANEZ, PeaceCouncii,LINDA GROFF,Caiiforia State Univrrsity,
SOM RAJ GUPTA,Kirori Ma/ College,University of Delhi, TENZIN GYATSO,H.H. the Dalai Lnma,DAG HEDIN, Life and

13

I
PeaceInsfitute, SOHAIL INAYATULLAH, World Futures Studies Federation,JOSEPHJOBLIN, Pontificiu Uninersitu
Gregoriana,ALEXANDERKOJA, MoscourPatriarchate.InterreligiousRelations,MIRTA LOURENCO,UNESCO,Culture sf
PeaceProgrnmme, FELIX MARTI, Centre UNESCOde Cutulunyu,GERALDMISCHE,GlobalEducationAssociates, PATRICIA
MISCHE, GlobalEducationAssociutrs,MAXIMILIAN MIZZI, Ecumenism and lnterreiigiousDialogue,MAURICIO MOLINA,
Pax Romana,MARY MWINGIRA, Pax Romana,RAIMON PANIKKAR, Funducidliioarium, LOUIS-EDMONDPETTITI,
Cour Europeenne des Droits de /‘Hornme,JOSEPHRAJKUMAR,Pax Romunu,HELGA RIEDL, P/urn Village,KARL RIEDL,
Plum Iiilluge, SAMDHONGRINPOCHE,Centvnl fnstitute o,/ Higher TibetanStudies,BAIDYANATH SARASWATI,Indira
GundhiNational Centrefor Arts, JACOBUSSCHONEVELD,fnternationnlCouncil of Christiansund Jews,PATARAPORN
SIRIKANCHANA,The World Fellozllshipof Buddhist,KISHORESINGH, UNESCO,HumanRights Unit, PAUL SMOKER,
InternationuiPeaceReseurchAssociation,MARIE-LAURESOREL,Associationpour le DialogueInternationalIslumo-Chretien,
JANUSZ SYMONIDES,UNESCOHumanRights, Democracy and PeaceDivision, JOHN B. TAYLOR, World Conference on
Religionnnd Peace,WAYNETEASDALE,Councilfor u Parliamentof the World'sReligions,SUSANNAVILLARAN,Institute
BariomPde lus Casas,ANTE VUCKOVIC,TheologyCollegein Mnkarska, ANDRZEJWIELOWIEYSKI, Memberof the Potisk
Parliament,MAHMOUD ZAKZOUK, Fatuity oj Theologyo/ Al-Azhur Unioersity

ANNEX3
SPEAKERS
AND MAIN SUBJECTS
TREATED

OPENING SPEECHES: 2- RELIGIOUSTRADITIONS

Janusz Symonides Juduism:
FPlix Marti Rabbi Israel Meir Lau
Joan M. Pujals Catholicism:
Dr. Giorgio Filibeck
REFLECTIONSON THE CULTUREOF PEACE: Zen Buddhism:
Elise Boulding Ven. Masao Abe
Buddhism:
THE CULTUREOF PEACEAND RELIGIONS: HH the Dalai Lama
Joan Estruch lslnni:
Cheikh Mahmoud Zakzouk
PRESENTATION & DEBATEOF THE DECLARATION: Animist tradition
Daniel Gbmez Ibbriez H.M. GanyongaIII
Kishore Singh
THE POSSIBILITYOF A GLOBAL SPIRITUALITY:
PERSPECTIVE
OF THE CULTUREOF PEACE: Wayne Teasdale

l- SOCIAL ACTORS HARD RELIGIONSAND SOFT RELIGIONS:

Education: Johan Galtung
Gerald and Patricia Mische
Hans Biilher THEORIESON PEACE:
Politics: Paul Smokerand Linda Groff
Andrzej Wielowieyski
Mass Media: CLOSING ADDRESSES
Jean Paul Marthoz Joan Albaiges
Sociui Science: Jaume Gin6
Sohail Inayatullah Federico Mayor
NGOs:
Mary Mwingira

14
I ANNEX4 I
I FORMFORSIGNATURE
OF ADHERENCE I
I
I
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I
I
I 1,
I
I
I FIRSTNAME
I FAMILYNAME
I
I FULL ADDRESS
I
I
I CITY
I
I COUNTRY
I
I PLEDGE
MYSUPPORT
TOTHE DECLARATION
ONTHEROLEOFRELIGION
IN THE
I PROMOTION
OFA CULTURE
OFPEACE
I
I
I AND HEREBY
SIGN
I
I
I
I
I
I ONA PERSONAL
BASIS J
IN THENAMEOF THECOMMUNITY/ASSOCIATION
/GROUPI REPRESENT c
NAMEOFTHEBODY ~~
I
I FULL ADDRESS
I
I
I TEL./FAX
I
I IN MYQUALITY
OF ~.
I
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E
2 Pleasewrite in capital letters and return this form (original, Xeroxcopy or blank sheet)to:
2u CentreUNESCOde Catalunya- Mallorca, 285- 08037Barcelona,Catalunya- Spain

15
UNESCO Centre UNESCOde Catalunya
Human Rights, Democracyand PeaceDivision Mallorca, 285
1, rue Miollis 08037Barcelona- Spain
75015Paris - France Tel: (34.3)207.17.16/ 207.58.05
Tel: (33.1) 45.68.38.18 Fax: (34.3)457.X51
Fax: (33.1) 43.06.72.03 E-mail: ECUCOOCC.UAB.ES

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