Promoting a Culture of Peace

In homage to the conscience and heart of those who are working for an end to violence, the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the Rural Mission Latin American Corporation, with the support of the Bigott Foundation, today presented in Caracas the launch of the book The Words of Peace, published by these institutions in an effort to strengthen pacifist thought and promote values such as reason, reflection and tolerance.

The book launch took place during a forum attended by CAF Executive President Enrique Garcia and other distinguished panelists in the José Félix Rivas Room of the Teresa Carreño Theater. The guests also enjoyed an interpretation of Beethoven´s 9th Symphony by the Venezuelan Children´s Symphony Orchestra.

The Words of Peace is a selection of the speeches of Nobel Peace Laureates from 1950, when the honor went to Ralph J Bunche, until 2001 when the United Nations received the prize.

Fifty-three years ago, García told the guests, with words that are very relevant today, Bunche said: "In this very troubled period of the history of humanity, the subject of peace, more than any other, deserves the solemn attention of all men of reason and goodwill," adding that in such critical times, it was not easy to talk of peace with conviction or determination.

A region like Latin America needs to rethink its development model in view of the increase in poverty and unemployment rates, deteriorating income levels and the existing inequality, the CAF president said. It is essential to ensure the existence of sustainable human development in a climate of democracy and governance that guarantee peace, and political and social stability.

Anna Mercedes Botero, CAF cultural and community development director, said that peace is an overriding need to have life, or what is the same, existence. "Peace is a fundamental condition and basis for development. There is no social development without culture. There is no social development without peace. Peace is in itself a cultural view, and culture is a spiritual and historical enrichment of individuals and societies. This is why, through its Cultural Program, the CAF is promoting a culture of peace as the foundation and inspiration for reflection and hope in a region that is in urgent need of respect, justice, freedom, tolerance and reconciliation - pillars of democratic coexistence and citizen participation."

The Words of Peace is an example of CAF´s decision to reaffirm the indivisible link between peace and development. Its pages vindicate the best humanist thinking, which sees peace as the most precious of social conquests.

The book´s prologue, written by Mexican author and journalist Elena Poniatowska, describes how the Nobel Peace prizes have been awarded. Some of the women who have received the honor are Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan in 1976, Mother Teresa of Calcuta (1979), Alva Myrdal (with Alfonso García Robles) in 1982, the Burmese political activist Aung San Suu Kyi (1991) and the Guatemalan leader Rigoberta Menchú (1992).

The list of prizewinners since 1950 also includes 41 men and eight associations, particularly UNHCR (UN High Commission for Refugees) which has received the prize twice. Other winning organizations include the International Committee of the Red Cross, UNICEF, the ILO (International Labor Organization) and Amnesty International.