Looking around I believe that the culture of peace and non-violence is receiving wider and wider global acceptance-through the efforts of the UN at the global level-through activities undertake nationally and regionally-through declaratory statements by many multilateral organizations-through symposiums andworkshops help all over the world like this one-and through widespread involvement of civil society.I am referring to the indispensable contribution of non-governmental and interfaith organizations-you being a part of that endeavor-we are witnessing the movement gather momentum.
The United Nation had observed the year 2000as the international Year of a Culture of Peace and the present decade is being celebrator as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World.It is important that we remind us constantly that the movement for culture of peace must be seen as complementary to the efforts toward economic development and social justice.Non-violence can truly flourish when the world is free of prove，hunger，discrimination，exclusion，intolerance and hated.When women and men can realize their highest potential and live a secure and fulfilling life.Until then，each and every one of us world have to contribute-collectively and individually-to build peace through non-violence.We have to succeed together or together we shall perish.The choice is obvious.
How can we contribute in enabling societies to rise above all the divisions and doubt and anger？How can we contribute towards societies that possess the inner strength to demonstrate their cohesiveness when time is really difficult？I would say that we need to start from the children and women in our societies.
In my mind，they are the main constituencies for building a culture of peace worldwide.
O ne of t he mo st sig n i f ica nt ways to promote a culture of peace is，in fact，through peace education.I would like to stress here that peace education needs to be accepted in all parts of the world，in all societies and countries as an essential element in building a culture of peace.Peace studies in all educational institutions mustbe incorporated as part of their curricula.Peace studies must be an essential part of our educational process as much as reading and writing are.In many parts of the world，this could very well be linked to the studies about the United Nations.
The international network supporting the objectives of Global Campaign for Peace Education，carried out so effectively by the Hague Appeal for Peace，must receive the continuous support of the entire international community.Educators in schools and communities look up to the peace practitioners for help in addressing complex issues such as teaching the skills of reconciliation，understanding diverse culture，accepting difference.
The Hague Appeal for Peace concluded in October 2004a very successful conferee in Tirana，Albania，that I had the pleasure of addressing where a group of educators came together with representatives of ministries of education and issued a Tirana Call for Peace Education.I invite all of you to become familiar with it and spread its appeal.
Never has it been more important for the next generation to learn about the world and understand its diversity.The task of educating children and young persons to find non-aggressive means to relate with one another is of primary importance.At higher levels，curricula must include human rights，the rules governing international law，the United Nations Charter and the goals of our global organization，peace，disarmament andsustainable development.The participation of young people in this process is very essential.Their inputs in terms of their own ideas on how to cooperate with each other in order to eliminate violence in our societies must be fully taken into account.
During the last years，these has been an increasingly strong recognition by governments，international organizations and civil society of the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women in the continuing struggle for equality，poverty reduction，peace，security，democracy，human rights and development.In nearly every country and region of the world，we can point to areas in which there has been progress on achieving gender equality and women"s empowerment.Yet，this progress has been uneven and the gains remain fragile.Virtually nowhere are women"s rights given the priority they deserve.And，despite increased global awareness，in many countries the rights of women are still under threat.Intensified efforts from all of us are needed to promote women"s rights at the country level and develop effective mechanisms-both national and global-to fully implement and monitor them.
That women make a difference when in decision and policy-making positions is no longer in dispute.When women par ticipate in peace negotiations and in the crafting of a peace agreement，they keep the future of their societies，their communities，in mind.They think of how their children and grandchildren will live in their country，how they will benefit from the peace agreement.They have the greater and longer-term interest of society in mind.Whereas，historically in post-conflict situations，men are interested in ensu r ing t hat ，fol low ing t he p eaceagreement，they will retain authority and power in the government or in the cabinet orin any other power structure.
