. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .
An article from City of Montevideo (translated by CPNN)
The 5th World Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace: the opening plenary session, which took place at 5:00 p.m. in the West Room of the Antel Arena, featured the participation of the Mayor of Montevideo, Mauricio Zunino, along with the Director of the International Relations Division, Fabiana Goyeneche; the President of UCLG and Mayor of The Hague, Jan Van Zanen; as well as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Valeria Csukasi; and the Vice President of the Republic, Carolina Cosse, as representatives of the national government. Zunino highlighted the importance of cities and their governance in helping to resolve different types of conflict and urban coexistence, and emphasized inequality as one of the most important factors that generate violence in the world.
The mayor of Montevideo emphasized that these types of broad-based participation events contribute to reflecting on how conflicts are resolved and “other types of violence such as xenophobia, discrimination, gender-based violence, and other ills that exist in cities.”
In the face of these types of situations, city governments can implement a set of actions that integrate processes of reflection, cooperation, and the exchange of good practices. The awarding of the Peace Prize to those cities that have worked and provide adequate solutions to these needs helps to encourage societal transformations.
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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article.)
How can culture of peace be developed at the municipal level?
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Zunino also highlighted the participation of 180 foreign representatives from all continents, which provides an important framework due to the quality and experience of the presentations, in addition to the local contribution. She also highlighted the opportunity to interact with multilateral agencies that take advantage of the meeting to network and coordinate with governments, as well as with civil society organizations that are also participating in the event.
The opening session concluded with a speech by the Vice President of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, who especially thanked those participating and highlighted the importance of the forum for Montevideo and the country.
In her address, Cosse referred to uncertainty as a fact of current reality but, based on her scientific training, reflected that in scientific work, “uncertainty is the cornerstone of the problem; it’s not a bad thing. You don’t know the solution and you don’t know what it’s about, so uncertainty is normal.” She recalled that uncertainty can “respond to an innovative surge, to an urgent need,” and becomes complex when it doesn’t respond to those needs. In this sense, Cosse asserted that in the face of uncertainty, there are also agreements, such as democracy, “that great social agreement” that provides a framework for resolving conflicts and is “one of the minimum certainties that human beings need.”
Cosse concluded by stating that, just as the truth lies locally, on street corners, in neighborhoods, “there too are the problems, but there too is hope, always, always, no matter how big the problem, if there is hope, it will emerge from there.” She expressed her pride in being part of a government that publicly recognizes the importance of multilateralism and the importance of cities.
The World Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace is one of the two activities taking place within the framework of Montevideo, Destination for Peace: an event that brings together training, exchange, and exhibition, cultural and entertainment opportunities.
Access the thematic axes and activities of the 5th World Forum of Cities and Territories of Peace.
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