All posts by CPNN Coordinator

About CPNN Coordinator

Dr David Adams is the coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.

Morelos, Mexico: UAEM Promotes a Culture of Peace Within Its Community

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico

Promoting a culture of peace within the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos (UAEM) is a fundamental pillar for strengthening coexistence, respect, and non-violence in academic, administrative, and student spaces, said Fernando Mendoza Vergara, head of the Training Department of the Gender, Equality, and Non-Discrimination Unit.

On the occasion of the School Day of Non-Violence and Peace, commemorated on January 29, Fernando Mendoza emphasized that educating for peace in higher education institutions is a shared need for all universities in the country, as these are spaces where professionals and citizens with social responsibility are trained.

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(Click here for the Spanish original of this article)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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Mendoza Vergara explained that UAEM actively participates in generating strategies and tools aimed at reducing and eradicating violence within university spaces, based on the development of skills that allow for the transformation of conflicts through dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

He noted that, at his unit, the training area’s work focuses on fostering educational processes for faculty, administrative staff, academics, and students, with the goal of strengthening relationships based on respect, equality, and human dignity.

The university official emphasized the importance of differentiating concepts such as educating for peace, building peace, and fostering a culture of peace, the latter understood as a set of values, attitudes, and daily practices that guide how people relate to themselves and others. He also highlighted that the university has promoted awareness, visibility, and training campaigns, aligned with regulatory frameworks such as Mexican Standard 025 on Labor Equality and Non-Discrimination. These processes require the commitment of each academic and administrative unit to move toward certification.

He emphasized that many violent behaviors have been normalized within the institutional culture, making awareness-raising crucial for the university community to identify practices that violate the integrity of individuals and to consciously transform them.

Finally, he invited those aspiring to join UAEM to adopt a proactive attitude, respect for diversity, and a commitment to peaceful coexistence, as essential elements for strengthening Morelos’s leading university.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Sinaloa, Mexico: UAIM promotes the Culture of Peace

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

A post on the Facebook page of Mochicahui Unit UAIM (translation by CPNN)

A workshop titled “Culture of Peace,” led by Dr. Gerardo Pérez Viramontes, an expert in culture of peace and conflict resolution and an active member of international research networks in the field, was held for senior management at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UAIM) located in Mochicahui, state of Sinaloa.

Lasting two days, this initiative aimed to strengthen institutional leadership through reflection, dialogue, and the development of practices geared toward harmonious coexistence and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

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(Click here for the Spanish original of this article)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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At the opening of the workshop, Rector Jesús Rodolfo Cuadras Sainz welcomed the participants, emphasizing the importance of leadership involvement in promoting harmonious coexistence and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. “If we, as administrators, are not capable of resolving our own conflicts, how can we set an example for the university community?” he stated. He also emphasized that a culture of peace is a legal and educational commitment already established in the UAIM Organic Law and the General Education Law.

For his part, Dr. Pérez Viramontes pointed out that peace is not an abstract concept, but a process that requires will, projects, and tools to be consolidated. He noted that UAIM, as a cultural institution, has the responsibility to promote practices that strengthen sustainable reconciliation in divided societies, which will allow it to consolidate its institutional commitment to fostering a culture of peace and reaffirm its role as an educational institution that seeks to train leaders capable of promoting harmonious coexistence and respect at all levels of university life.

The course addressed fundamental topics such as the deconstruction of violence, the regulation and transformation of conflicts, the identification of mediations and pacifist empowerment, as well as reflecting on new epistemologies applied to the culture of peace and sustainable reconciliation in divided societies.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Peru: Peace Promoter Training Program

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An announcment from the Peruvian State government (translation by CPNN)

The Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations (MIMP) invites women and men over 18 years of age, university students, professionals, community leaders, committed neighbors, and the general public who wish to contribute to spreading a culture of peace in their neighborhoods, communities, and workplaces, with the goal of building a more just and respectful environment in families, schools, and community spaces.

Three free sessions will be held, aimed at acquiring knowledge, skills, and tools that, upon completion of the program, will allow participants to exercise positive leadership based on what they have learned:

Session 1: Culture of Peace, Areas of Action.

Session 2: Tools for Positive Coexistence / Basic Concepts in Human Rights

Session 3: Basic Concepts on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women, Gender Equity, and Constructive Conflict Management / Replication Session Project

Dates: February 5, 12, and 19, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Format: In-person
Location: Auditorium of the National Comprehensive Program for Family Welfare – INABIF

Av. San Martín 685, Pueblo Libre
Certificate: 15 hours of instruction (3 sessions of 4 hours each) and 3 additional hours.

General Objective

To promote a culture of peace as a cross-cutting theme for healthy, respectful, empathetic, and violence-free coexistence, through the participation of committed citizens who, based on the skills and abilities acquired in the culture of peace training module, can replicate what they have learned in their community, family, neighborhood, workplace, school, university, etc.

Content by Session

Session 1 | Thursday, February 5

Culture of Peace and its Areas of Action
° Concept of Peace and Culture of Peace
° Components of a Culture of Peace

Session 2 | Thursday, February 12

Tools for Positive Coexistence
° Self-Esteem
° Empathy
° Communication: Concept, Channels, and Techniques

Human Rights
° Concept and Characteristics
° Identifying Rights

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(Click here for the Spanish original of this article)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

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Session 3 | Thursday, February 19

Equal opportunities between men and women and gender equity
° Concept
° Inequality between men and women
° Stereotypes
° Building equality from within our families

Constructive conflict management
° Concept
° Conflict analysis

Replica session project
Prepared by the participant

Methodology

The activity will be developed through participatory workshops that will include diagnostic tests, interactive activities, group work, and plenary sessions. These spaces will promote the exchange of ideas, the resolution of doubts by the participants, and the reinforcement of the key ideas of the topic. A PowerPoint presentation will also be used as a visual aid.

This is a space for collective construction that integrates theory and practice around the proposed topic, valuing and leveraging the experience of the participants.

The workshops are facilitated by specialists from the Directorate of Displaced Persons and Culture of Peace.

At the end of the workshop, participants must conduct a follow-up session on one of the topics covered. (Minimum 1 hour)

Why should you not miss this workshop?
° You will learn and strengthen your soft skills.
° You will be able to be an agent of change in your community by sharing what you have learned.
° You will recive an official Certificate from the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations.

Evaluation and Accreditation

Certificates of participation, worth 15 hours of instruction, will be awarded to those who:

° Register and attend all three scheduled sessions.
° Participate in the diagnostic (pre-workshop) and evaluation (final) tests.
° Achieve a final average grade of 14 points or higher, considering both the test and class participation.
° Conduct at least one follow-up session of 1 hour on one of the topics covered in the workshops.

Registration

Register by February 1st or until all available spaces are filled, using the following link: https://facilita.gob.pe/t/43068

On Monday, February 2nd, we will confirm your participation via email, WhatsApp message, or phone call to the number you provided on the pre-registration form.

Organized by:
Directorate of Displaced Persons and Culture of Peace
General Directorate of Population, Development, and Volunteering

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Mexico: Al Sharpton and Rigoberta Menchú to Join Mérida Peace Conference

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article by Carlos Rosado van der Gracht from Yucatan Magazine

The International Peace Conference in Mérida will feature prominent voices such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum and civil rights leader Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr., better known as Al Sharpton, the firebrand TV pundit and activist.

This regional gathering, organized by UADY, The World House Project Inc., and the Yucatán state government, will take place at the Siglo XXI convention center.

Over three days starting Feb. 4, civic, business, academic, government, and student leaders, as well as activists, will discuss actions to address today’s challenges in peace and justice through dialogue, education, and strategic action.


The conference aims to build a global network for civic awareness and create social infrastructure focused on promoting peace and justice. It will also invite analysis of significant challenges and opportunities for international peace.

Rigoberta Menchú will share her vision for building peace through human rights and social justice. Johnny J. Mack, founder of The World House Project, will present a talk on the World House vision and the metalogic of nonviolence.

Additionally, Rosa Wolpert Kuri, a UNESCO representative, will give the presentation “Without Education, There Is No Peace.” Other experts, including Francisco Javier Gorjón Gómez, Roberto José Beltrán Zambrano, Alberto Manuel Athié Gallo, and Fernando de la Mora Salcedo, will address key topics such as a culture of peace, nonviolent action in the 21st century, and current global scenarios.

The sessions aim to identify three main focus areas: Direct Action, which uses peaceful tactics to mobilize people, challenge injustice, and create pressure for change; Cultural Transformation, which shifts mindsets and social norms through art, storytelling, education, and spiritual leadership; and Structural Change, which reforms policies, systems, and institutions to build equity, justice, and peace.

The conference will also feature a Youth for Peace Agenda. This includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, intergenerational dialogues, and cultural activities with performances by the UADY Ballet, the University Regional Orchestra, and other musical groups.

Members of the general public may attend the conference by completing the online registration and paying the participation fee of MX$2,800 via bank deposit or transfer, or MX$2,910 via PayPal. Deadline is Feb. 2. Visit https://conferenciadepaz.uady.mx/.

About Rigoberta Menchú

Rigoberta Menchú grew up in a small Mayan village in Guatemala. As a young woman, she experienced injustice and violence during her country’s long civil war, in which family members were killed. Her courageous work for social justice and peace was recognized globally when she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992. She used this honor to bring even more attention to the struggles of Indigenous communities everywhere. Today, she continues to travel and teach, emphasizing that lasting peace must be built on a foundation of human rights, dignity, and fairness for all people.

Menchú remains one of the Maya world’s loudest voices on social justice, enduring peace and cultural preservation.

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Question related to this article:
 
The Nobel Peace Prize: Does it go to the right people?

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The Program

World House Project 2026 International Peace Conference

The World House Project 2026 International Peace Conference takes place over three days at the Centro de Convenciones Siglo XXI, bringing together global thought leaders, activists, and students to explore pathways toward peace and justice. The conference halls were renamed for the occasion.

Wednesday, February 4

The conference opens with a special youth-focused morning session, the JuventudES Paz Agenda, exclusively for high school students from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Mahatma Gandhi Hall (Chichén Itzá 6).

General registration begins at 3 p.m. at the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Passage, followed by the Opening Ceremony at 4 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. Hall (Chichén Itzá 4 and 5).

The inaugural keynote at 5 p.m. features Master Joaquín Díaz Mena, Governor of the State of Yucatán, presenting the “Allies for Life Program.” This is followed at 6 p.m. by Reverend Al Sharpton, who delivers the day’s second keynote address.

Concurrent with the opening sessions, the Mandalas Peace Hub hosts a Human Rights Journey from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Malala Yousafzai Hall (Uxmal 4) and Nelson Mandela Hall (Chichén Itzá 2 and 3).

The first day concludes with a cultural performance at 7 p.m. featuring the UADY Ballet and University Folk Orchestra in Nelson Mandela Hall.

Thursday, February 5

The day begins at 9 a.m. with a keynote address by Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum in Martin Luther King Jr. Hall, followed by three consecutive morning sessions: Dr. Francisco Javier Gorjón Gómez speaks on “Peace from Peace: Foundation for Building Peace” at 10 a.m., and Dr. Roberto José Beltrán Zambrano presents “The Right Time for Peace: Culture of Peace and Nonviolent Action in the 21st Century” at 11 a.m.

After a midday break from noon to 1 p.m., Dr. Johnny J. Mack delivers his keynote “Vision of the World House and the Metalogic of Nonviolence” at 1 p.m.

The afternoon shifts to interactive formats with panel discussions, presentations, and workshops running from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Mahatma Gandhi Hall. Simultaneously, an Intergenerational Dialogue for the Next Generation takes place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., also in Mahatma Gandhi Hall, while the Mandalas Peace Hub continues its Human Rights Journey programming in both Malala Yousafzai and Nelson Mandela Halls.

The evening features a cultural performance by the musical group Polifonía and collaborating artists at 7 p.m. in Nelson Mandela Hall.

Friday, February 6

The final day opens at 9:30 a.m. with Master Rosa Wolpert Kuri from UNESCO presenting “Without Education There Is No Peace” in Martin Luther King Jr. Hall.

At 10:30 a.m., Master Alberto Manuel Athié Gallo addresses “Where Are We Going? Between Uncertainty, Surprise, Emerging Doubts, and the New World Order,” followed at 11:30 a.m. by Master Fernando de la Mora Salcedo speaking on “Mexico, the World, and the Culture of Peace.”

The conference concludes with a panel discussion at 12:30 p.m. titled “Where Are We Going in Building Peace and Justice in Latin America? Next Collective Steps,” featuring Master Rosa Wolpert Kuri, Master Héctor Dada Sánchez, and Dr. José Luis Espinoza Navarrete, moderated by Dr. Celia Rosado Avilés.

The closing ceremony takes place at 1 p.m., bringing the three-day international gathering to its conclusion.

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DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, Latin America

Federico Mayor: A Culture of Peace, Now More Than Ever

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

A book review by Ángel Aguas from Noticias Obreras (translation by CPNN)

The Hour of Citizenship: Dignity, Human Rights, and a Culture of Peace
Federico Mayor Zaragoza and Emilio José Gómez Ciriano
HOAC Editions (2026)
84 pages

The recent statement by Pope Leo XIV, addressed to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, that “war is back in fashion and the enthusiasm for war is spreading,” confirms the growing global trend of recent years. In this context, the new publication from HOAC Editions of the Catholic Workers’ Brotherhood (Hermandad Obrera de Acción Católica) champions peace as the only alternative for building a future of hope for all humanity.


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( Click here for the original version in Spanish.)

Question for this article:

What are the most important books about the culture of peace?

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This book recapitulates, in his own words, the extensive pacifist legacy of Federico Mayor Zaragoza, professor and former president of UNESCO, among many other things. When Emilio José Gómez Ciriano, university professor and co-author of the book, invited him to participate, no one knew it would be Mayor Zaragoza’s posthumous work, as he passed away on December 19, 2024.

“This work emerges as an urgent manifesto and an ethical and prophetic compass. It is not only an analysis, but a call to civic action in the face of what its authors perceive as a dangerous global drift toward militarization and the abandonment of humanist foundations…”

Culture of Peace, Now More Than Ever

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, global

Mexico: Pablo Lemus and Rigoberta Menchú Agree on Actions to Build a New Culture of Peace in Jalisco

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

An article by Samantha Lamas in Cronica (translation by CPNN)

With the aim of strengthening the construction of a new culture of peace in Jalisco, the Governor of the State, Pablo Lemus Navarro, and Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, have signed a agreement to collaborate actions focused on priority sectors of the state.

The agreement, signed between the Government of Jalisco and the Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation, outlines the development of a proactive and forward-thinking strategy that will prioritize the needs of Indigenous communities—primarily in the northern region of the state—as well as women and children.


Rigoberta Menchú and Pablo Lemus (Courtesy)

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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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During the meeting, the state governor expressed his appreciation for Rigoberta Menchú’s career and emphasized the importance of initiating a collaborative effort with her foundation. “It is an honor for me to welcome you to Jalisco and to begin working together with you and your foundation; it is something that excites me and that we had dreamed of for our state,” he stated.

Lemus Navarro stressed that this agreement will allow progress in addressing the needs of Indigenous communities and in promoting a culture of peace with a social and inclusive focus. “We are going to begin working together for Indigenous communities, for the women of our state, and for a new culture of peace, for which you and your foundation are a global leader,” he added.

Rigoberta Menchú Tum, winner of the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize, is internationally recognized for her work in defending human rights, promoting reconciliation, and fostering intergenerational respect. During her remarks, she thanked the Mexican people and the Government of Jalisco for demonstrating the political will to promote peace as a path to dialogue and the vindication of rights, especially for women and indigenous communities.

“I believe in peace as a culture, as education, and as dialogue. I believe in peace as the transmission of experiences and knowledge to our youth, to our communities who must become the next generation of our society,” she stated.

Finally, Menchú Tum emphasized that the value of the agreement will lie in the implementation of a simple and productive agenda, with clear actions, aimed at generating concrete results for the benefit of the people of Jalisco.
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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

UN General Assembly Calls Upon Warring Parties of Current Armed Conflicts to Boldly Agree to ‘True Mutual Ceasefires’ during Upcoming Olympic Winter Games

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article from the United Nations

Ahead of the upcoming 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the General Assembly today took note of a Solemn Appeal by the President of its eightieth session, who urged all warring parties to agree to “true mutual ceasefires” during the Games in line with the ancient principle of the Olympic Truce.

“The Olympic Truce proves that, even in times of division, humanity can still find common ground through sport,” said Annalena Baerbach (Germany), reading her Appeal (document A/80/598) into the Assembly’s official record.  “I call upon all warring parties of current armed conflicts around the world to boldly agree to true mutual ceasefires for the duration of the Olympic Truce, thus providing an opportunity to settle disputes peacefully.”

(click on image to enlarge)

Today’s Appeal recalls the ancient Greek tradition of the ekecheiria, translated as “Olympic Truce”, which serves as a hallowed principle of the Olympic Games, she said.  In modern times, the Assembly has taken up the related agenda item “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal” every two years, in advance of each summer and winter Olympic Games, adopting a resolution by the same name.

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Question for this article:

How can sports promote peace?

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Noting that the XXV Olympic Winter Games will begin shortly in Milano-Cortina, Italy, Ms. Baerbach cited the Assembly’s most recent resolution, which urged Member States to observe the truce individually and collectively from the seventh day before the Games’ start until the seventh day following the end of the XIV Paralympic Winter Games.  (See Press Release GA/13732  of 19 November 2025.)

“Through friendly competition, we can rise above our divisions and reaffirm our common humanity,” she said.  “The Games will bring together athletes from all parts of the world in the greatest of international sports events as a means to promote peace, mutual understanding, the rule of law and goodwill among nations and peoples — goals that are also part of the founding values of the United Nations.”

Pointing out that the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games are on track to be the most gender-balanced in history, she added that the International Olympic Committee has decided to fly the UN flag in the Olympic stadium and the Olympic villages as a symbol of peace. 

“I welcome the leadership of Olympic and Paralympic athletes in promoting peace and human understanding through sport and the Olympic ideal,” she said, urging all Member States to demonstrate their commitment to the Olympic Truce and take concrete actions to promote and strengthen a culture of peace and harmony.

“May the implementation [of the Olympic Truce] reaffirm our shared conviction that, even in a divided world, unity remains possible and respect for our common rules means that we all win,” she said.

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, global, United Nations,

USA: Judge orders 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his dad released from ICE detention

. HUMAN RIGHTS .

An article from CNBC

A 5-year-old boy and his father must be released by Tuesday from the Texas center where they’ve been held after being detained by immigration officers in Minnesota, a federal judge ordered Saturday in a ruling that harshly criticized the Trump administration’s approach to enforcement.

Images of Liam Conejo Ramos, wearing a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack, being surrounded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers sparked even more outcry about the administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.


U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, who sits in San Antonio and was appointed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton, said in his ruling that “the case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.”

Biery had previously ruled that the boy and his father could not be removed from the U.S., at least for now.

Liam and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, who is originally from Ecuador, were detained in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights on Jan. 20. They were taken to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas.

Neighbors and school officials say that federal immigration officers used the preschooler as “bait” by telling him to knock on the door to his house so that his mother would answer. The Department of Homeland Security has called that description of events an “abject lie.” It said the father fled on foot and left the boy in a running vehicle in their driveway.

The government says Arias entered the U.S. illegally from Ecuador in December 2024. The family’s lawyer says he has a pending asylum claim that allows him to remain in the country.

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Questions related to this article:

The struggle for human rights, is it gathering force in the USA?

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Their detention led to a protest at the Texas family detention center and a visit by two Texas Democratic members of Congress.

In his order Saturday, Biery said: “apparent also is the government’s ignorance of an American historical document called the Declaration of Independence,” suggesting the Trump administration’s actions echo those that then-author and future President Thomas Jefferson enumerated as grievances against England’s King George.

Among them: “He has sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People” and “He has excited domestic Insurrection among us.”

Biery included in his ruling a photo of Liam and references to two lines in the Bible: “Jesus said, ’Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” and “Jesus wept.”

He’s not the only federal judge who has been tough on ICE recently. A Minnesota-based judge with a conservative pedigree described the agency as a serial violator of court orders related to the crackdown.

Stephen Miller, the White House chief of staff for policy, has said there’s a target of 3,000 immigration arrests a day. It’s that figure which the judge seemed to refer to as a “quota.”

Spokespersons from the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The Law Firm of Jennifer Scarborough, which is representing the boy and his family, said in a statement that it was working “to ensure a safe and timely reunion.”

“We are pleased that the family will now be able to focus on being together and finding some peace after this traumatic ordeal,” they said.

During Wednesday’s visit by Texas Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, the boy slept in the arms of his father, who said Liam was frequently tired and not eating well at the detention facility that houses about 1,100 people, according to Castro.

Detained families report poor conditions like worms in food, fighting for clean water and poor medical care at the detention center since its reopening last year. In December, a report filed by ICE acknowledged they held about 400 children longer than the recommended limit of 20 days.

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HUMAN RIGHTS, North America

Spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam leads Interfaith Harmony Week

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from AWAZ The Voice

World Interfaith Harmony Week will be observed globally from February 1 to 7, 2026, continuing a tradition that inspires unity across faiths and nations. First proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2010, it was adopted through a UN Resolution on October 20.

The resolution affirmed that mutual understanding and interfaith dialogue are essential for a culture of peace and invited all people, regardless of belief, to celebrate through the inclusive principle of “Love of God and Love of the Neighbour,” or “Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour.” Since the first observance in 2011, the movement has become a worldwide call for coexistence and compassion.

The 2025 observance in Delhi was a luminous reflection of India’s pluralistic spirit. Organised by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India, the three-day Interfaith Conclave 2025 combined India’s ancient wisdom of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family—with contemporary peacebuilding frameworks. Leaders from Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Jain, Sikh, and Parsi traditions gathered to reaffirm faith’s unifying role in a divided world.

The conclave opened with Dr Markandey Rai, Chairman of GPF India, invoking India’s civilizational ethos of unity beyond boundaries. Goswami Sushil Ji Maharaj, convener of the Bhartiya Sarv Dharm Sansad, recalled Swami Vivekananda’s 1893 address at the Chicago Parliament of Religions as a timeless message of harmony. Speakers such as Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Fr. Rajakumar Joseph, Imam Faizan Muneer, and Swami Sarvalokananda highlighted shared moral values—truth, service, and compassion—that transcend religious identity.

What distinguished the Delhi observance was the participation of youth and creative engagement. A pre-event poster competition, Art for Harmony, invited young artists to visualise peace, while workshops on “Skills for Interfaith Dialogue” trained students in empathy and respectful communication. Youth-led roundtables on peacebuilding showed how dialogue, when combined with action, can transform communities. These initiatives align with global best practices that link interfaith learning to arts, service, and civic participation.

Across the world, interfaith dialogue has evolved into a vital tool for peace. The United Nations promotes it through the Alliance of Civilisations and UNESCO’s intercultural programs. Regional examples abound: Indonesia’s grassroots Forum Kerukunan Umat Beragama promotes local religious cooperation;

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Question related to this article:
 
How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?

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Europe’s institutional frameworks like the UK Inter Faith Network support structured engagement; and Nigeria’s Interfaith Mediation Centre unites pastors and imams to rebuild communities torn by conflict.

 Such models demonstrate that spiritual traditions can strengthen reconciliation and social trust.

India’s role in this global movement remains distinctive. Its history is shaped by inclusion—Ashoka’s tolerance, Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi, Guru Nanak’s universalism, and Gandhi’s interfaith prayers. In an era of polarisation, India’s constitutional promise of fraternity remains its guiding light. The 2025 conclave reaffirmed that harmony means not passive tolerance but active collaboration—religious leaders and citizens working together for education, the environment, and women’s empowerment.

Globally, youth have become key agents of peace. Studies show that interfaith exposure in early years nurtures empathy and reduces prejudice. GPF India’s initiatives—Youth Peace Clubs and Indo-Pacific Peace Forums—reflect this belief that harmony must grow from communities, not be imposed from above.

As the world prepares for Interfaith Harmony Week 2026, the Delhi conclave stands as a reminder that dialogue rooted in shared values can heal divisions. It also showed that interfaith cooperation is not an idealistic aspiration but a practical necessity in a world confronting identity conflicts, environmental degradation, and social fragmentation. The Indian vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, echoed in the G20 theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” gives fresh meaning to this universal movement for peace.

When Interfaith Harmony Week 2026 unfolds from February 1 to 7, temples, mosques, churches, gurdwaras, and monasteries around the world will again open their doors in friendship. In classrooms and communities, art, music, and service will reaffirm that peace begins with the heart that listens.

The lamps of faith that light Delhi and distant cities alike will remind humanity that beyond every difference lies the same yearning for goodness.

In a time when the world struggles to rediscover empathy, India’s example offers a moral compass—showing that harmony is not a dream but a daily practice. As people of every faith join hands to celebrate this week, they affirm the simple truth that when love of the good guides our actions, humanity indeed becomes one family—a message of hope for a world learning again to live as one.

The author, Pallab Bhattacharyya, is the former Police Chief of Assam.

(Editor’s note: Interfaith Harmony Week is formally supported by the Arab League.)

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Mexico: Ethics as a Path to a Culture of Peace at the University of Colima

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Comentario

The Ethics and Conflict of Interest Prevention Committee of the University of Colima conducted a series of training sessions for staff from High School 1 and the Faculty of Accounting and Administration in Colima. These sessions focused on the practical application of principles, values, and rules of integrity in university workplaces.

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(Click here for the Spanish original of this article)

Question for this article:

Where is peace education taking place?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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The activities were led by Rosa Elizabeth García Uribe, the institution’s Comptroller General, and Brenda Lizeth Aguilar García, Director of Administrative Obligations Research. They emphasized the importance of strengthening ethical conduct in daily work as the foundation for respectful and harmonious coexistence.

These actions were supported by the General Directorate for Integral Development, the area responsible for promoting the cross-cutting theme of a culture of peace at the University of Colima. This support helped consolidate a comprehensive vision focused on respect, dignified treatment, and the promotion of human rights within the university community.

During the sessions, participating staff demonstrated openness and dynamism, and recognized the importance of the institution creating training opportunities that strengthen an organizational culture based on integrity, ethics, and peace.
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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America