Tag Archives: Latin America

Peru: Second Conference “Peace Mediators: Containment, Dialogue and Conflict Resolution”

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from the Government of Peru

From September 15 to 17, the II Strengthening Workshop “Peace Mediators: Tools to Contain, Dialogue and Resolve Conflicts” was aimed at strengthening students’ abilities to deal with these situations peacefully and contribute to a school environment based on respect, empathy and dialogue.

During the sessions, students and teachers from public and private educational institutions in the jurisdiction participated in games, group dynamics, reflection and awareness activities, designed to promote socio-emotional skills and provide tools for the prevention and initial attention to situations of tension in the school environment.

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(Click here for the Spanish original of this article)

Question for this article:

Mediation as a tool for nonviolence and culture of peace

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In addition, knowledge was strengthened on the application of initial Psychological First Aid (PFA) tools , as well as strategies for assertive communication, active listening and peaceful conflict resolution, which are fundamental to building healthy relationships and safe and inclusive educational spaces.

On the last day of the event, the valuable collaboration of Aprender Sin Barreras (Learning Without Barriers) was secured. This organization was in charge of a presentation and the development of group dynamics that enriched the participants’ training experience, promoting reflection and commitment to a culture of peace from educational institutions.

This initiative reaffirms the commitment of UGEL 02 La Esperanza to strengthening school coexistence, promoting the active participation of students as agents of change capable of mediating, dialoguing and contributing to the resolution of minor conflicts in their educational communities.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Mexico: UPSLP brings together national sectors to foster a culture of peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article in El Expres

The Polytechnic University of San Luis Potosí (UPSLP) hosted the “Culture of Peace 2026” National Forum. This event served as a space for meeting, reflection, and dialogue, bringing together representatives from educational institutions, government authorities, and organizations linked to security, human rights, inclusion, and social participation, with the aim of driving actions that contribute to building a peaceful society.

Throughout the event, topics such as Education and the Culture of Peace; Technology and the Culture of Peace; Justice, Security, and Violence Prevention; Human Rights, Inclusion, and Diversity; and Society and the Collective Construction of Peace were addressed. This created a forum for the exchange of experiences and proposals among the various participating sectors, facilitated by lectures given by specialists in the field with distinguished national and international backgrounds.
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(Click here for a Spanish version of this article)

Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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At the opening ceremony, UPSLP Rector Néstor Eduardo Garza Álvarez highlighted the importance of educational institutions actively participating in creating spaces that allow for reflection on social challenges and the strengthening of values ​​such as respect, inclusion, dialogue, and coexistence.

The gathering was attended by state authorities and representatives from educational institutions—including the State Government’s Secretary of Public Security, Jesús Juárez Hernández—as well as members of organizations and agencies related to security, human rights, equality, and education.

Representatives from higher and upper-secondary education institutions were also present, reinforcing the national and inter-institutional nature of the event. By hosting the 2026 National Forum on the Culture of Peace, the Polytechnic University of San Luis Potosí reaffirms its commitment to a holistic education that extends beyond the classroom and contributes to building communities where respect, dialogue, inclusion, and participation serve as tools to address societal challenges.

In this regard, the institution aligns itself with the “Education Without Limits” vision championed by the administration of Ricardo Gallardo, promoting an education that creates opportunities and contributes to the well-being and development of San Luis Potosí.

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Latin America and the Caribbean: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

A survey by CPNN

The following 59 actions in 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries include those listed in Google during the weeks of September 17-28 this year under the key words “International day of peace”, “Dia Internacional da Paz” and “Día Internacional de la Paz”


Honduras, San Pedro Sula

Here are excerpts from the articles, translated into English.

ARGENTINA

CHUBUT, PATAGONIA: The community of School No. 179 experienced a special day commemorating the International Day of Peace, a date of profound significance for the school as it marks a decade since its designation as Ambassadors of Peace. Throughout the month, the institution promoted intensive work involving students, teachers, administrators, support staff, and families in activities designed to encourage reflection on and the practical application of values such as empathy, solidarity, and inclusion in daily life.

ESQUEL: On Monday, September 21, the Esquel Rotary Club will hold an event at 10:00 a.m. in Paul Harris Square and, at noon, will inaugurate an exhibition at the Bus Terminal. This year, the initiative involved ten kindergartens and more than 700 families in activities related to peace.

GOYA: This Monday, September 21st, at the roundabout on the eastern access road to the city, along Mazzanti Avenue, the flag of Peace was raised. It will remain there for several more days, greeting those entering the city. Present at the ceremony were Mayor Mariano Hormaechea, Councilor Gabriela Refojos, and María Lilia Urquijo, Ambassador of Peace and the driving force behind Goya’s declaration as a City Committed to Peace. Also in attendance were other leaders of the Mil Milenios de Paz (One Thousand Millennia of Peace) movement, such as Alicia Gómez and Graciela Lowles, as well as members of the public.

JUJUY: Tomorrow, September 21st, is International Peace Day, and in Jujuy, the Aves Foundation invites the community to participate in the raising of the Peace Flag at the Government House, starting at 8:00 AM. It is a symbol of unity and a commitment to dialogue, respect, and peaceful coexistence. Later, the official ceremony will take place at the Culturarte Cultural Center (Sarmiento and San Martín). It will be a space for meeting and reflecting together, “because peace is built by everyone, and every encounter is an opportunity to make it flourish.”

MALARGÜE: Week of Peace: PEACE UNITES US. From 14-21 September. Friday, September 18, 09:00-19:00 Work of sculptors, Plaza San Martin and Health Stand. 20:00 Music by Daniel Donaire, Dance by Studio Isadors

MENDOZA: The VI Festival for World Peace and Non-Violence arrives in Maipú, Mendoza, within the framework of the International Day of Peace.

PUERTO MADRYN : This Monday, September 21, at 11:30 a.m., the Flag of Peace will be raised on the auxiliary flagpole at Plaza San Martín in an event open to the entire community. Activities will continue next week with an open talk on life, mental health, and peace at School No. 150, led by the Instituto Superior de Psicología Social Argentina as part of Suicide Prevention Month. The commemoration involves the participation of the Municipality of Puerto Madryn and Carisa Domínguez Bonazzi, Ambassador of Peace for Madryn.

SAN JOSÉ : Video of International Day of Peace event at the city of San José

SANTA FE : Santa Fe celebrated International Peace Day. Local institutions and social leaders met to renew their collective commitment to a culture of dialogue, the peaceful resolution of everyday conflicts, and civic empathy.

BOLIVIA

LA PAZ: On this International Day of Peace, the interfaith meeting entitled “Building a Culture of Peace” was held in the Interpellation Hall of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia. The initiative brought together various spiritual traditions of the country through the Bolivian Interreligious Dialogue, which gathered representatives from the Jewish Community, the Catholic Church through the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, the Islamic Community Association, the Sikh Dharma Community, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Bahá’í Community, Zen Buddhism, the German-Speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the National Christian Council. During the event, the Interreligious Declaration for Peace was presented , a document that emphasized that peace is a garden to be cultivated and a bridge to be crossed.

BRAZIL

FOZ DE IGUAÇU The event will begin this Saturday, the 19th, in Foz do Iguaçu, and continue until the 27th, to mark the International Day of Peace and Tree Day. On the 19th from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, there will be a conversation on “Dialogue for Peace and Planetary Responsibility.” The event will continue next Saturday, the 26th, starting at 2:30 PM, with the activity “Human Library of Peace with Nature,” in which participants will engage in dialogue with a person in charge of connecting with individuals who have peaceful experiences with nature, as if they were reading a book.

SÃO FRANCISCO DE PAULA : “Welcoming means more than just providing shelter.” With this theme, the Walk for a Culture of Peace reaches its 25th edition this Monday (21st); however, this marks the first time it has been institutionalized by municipal law in observance of the World Day of Peace. The initiative involves both public and private schools and seeks to strengthen dialogue, social harmony, and cooperation among diverse groups in society.

SÃO PAULO : The Casa de Portugal, in São Paulo, was the setting for a noble celebration of the International Day of Peace, promoted by ABRASCI – the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, Arts, History and Literature. The ceremony, marked by great prestige and high cultural content, featured a keynote address by Ms. Ângela Gandra, Municipal Secretary of International Relations of São Paulo, who brilliantly addressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and culture in building a more peaceful and just society.

COLUMBIA

BELLO: Cultural Walk for the International Day of Peace, leaving from the Choza Marco Fidel Suarez at 4:00 PM and going to the Central Park of Bello. Published with colorful poster.

BOGOTA : This September 25, Santander Park will be the stage of the Festival for Peace 2026, a day that, from the commemorative strip, recognizes artistic expressions as tools of memory, resilience and reconstruction of links with the territory. The day will feature presentations by Culture Embera Wera, Taky Suyo, Kinesis, Tepichikua, Vallenato Fredy Carrillo, Runa Taky and @desordensocialrap as well as a space to promote the emerging economy of the center of Bogota.

CAICEDO : Caicedo-Louisville Youth Exchange On Nonviolence. Friday, Sept 25, via Zoom (not open to the public) This extraordinary event begins an ongoing conversation on nonviolence between young people in Caicedo – the first nonviolent municipality in Colombia – and 8th Grade students at Newburg Middle School in Louisville, who are making a commitment to nonviolence.

CALI : Video of Peace Week at Unicatolica (Fundación Universitaria Católica Lumen Gentium)

GIRARDOT : The Government and Institutional Development Secretariat led an event in commemoration of International Human Rights Day, held within the framework of the 2026 Peace Week. The event brought together the general public, officials, schools, and the Municipal Victims’ Committee to strengthen social cohesion and harmony in the municipality. The program included very meaningful and reflective sessions, such as a talk led by Pastor Juan Carlos Moreno, a member of the Municipal Committee for Religious Freedom, and a presentation by the National Police’s territorial group on protecting citizens’ rights. In addition, the valuable participation of the Our Lady of Pilar Brotherhood and the Mahatma Gandhi collective was also present.

LA VICTORIA, VALLE DE CAUCA : Today, Septemberr 21, the Municipal Administration of La Victoria, Valle del Cauca, invites our entire community to continue building a territory where dialogue, solidarity, and harmonious coexistence take center stage.

MEDELLÍN: Medellín is preparing a large collective song for peace during Peace Month. Victims, signatories of peace agreements, and citizens will come together for a concert that aims to transform music into a space for reconciliation and remembrance. The main attraction of the day will be the Reconciliation Choir of the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, an initiative created in 2019 as a meeting place for victims of the conflict and people involved in peace processes . The event will take place on September 18th at Belén Library Park.

COSTA RICA

PUNTARENAS: This Monday, September 21, we were present at the celebration of the International Day of Peace, held at the Casa de la Cultura in Puntarenas. We thank the Ministry of Justice and Peace for organizing this valuable event. During the day, we shared with different companies, entrepreneurs, including our affiliates, who presented with their stands and products. The event was filled with cultural activities and socializing: music, cimarrona, a cheerful parade, stage performances, and meeting spaces with the entire community.

CUBA

PINAR DEL RIO : The themes of the International Day of Peace inspired primary school children to express their ideas and aspirations in the “Children Write and Paint for Peace” contest, organized by the Pinar del Río provincial branch of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) in western Cuba. This act of love for humanity was supported by the Provincial History Museum, which hosted the event and honored the winning schoolchildren—known as “pioneers”—as well as the “Salvador González Delgado” Primary School and the “With Love and Hope” (Con amor y esperanza) sociocultural project.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

SANTO DOMINGO : In a joint effort to inspire society to become an active agent of social transformation, the Association for Social, Ecological and Cultural Aid (Adasec) and the International Federation of Associations for Social, Ecological and Cultural Aid (Fiadasec) announced the concert on the theme “United for Peace: Be the peace you wish to see in the world”. The activity commemorates the International Day of Peace. The event will feature artists José Antonio Rodríguez, Frank Ceara, Adalgisa Pantaleón, Roger Zayas, Mariela Mercado, Carolina Hernández, Dichens Salcedo, Herodys Ureña and Omar Morillo, who will create a live mural during the event.

ECUADOR

LATACUNGA : Video of Walk for Peace

GUATEMALA

COBÁN, ALTA VERAPAZ : As part of the commemoration of International Peace Day, a civic act was held at the Plaza del Parque Central La Paz, with the participation of educational institutions and authorities. The event was accompanied by poems, presentations, and dedications to peace, creating a space for expression and reflection on the importance of respect, dialogue, and coexistence.

HONDURAS

SAN PEDRO SULA : As part of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, the New Millennium Evangelical Christian University (UCENM) became the venue for the 4th World March for Peace and Non-Violence in San Pedro Sula this Monday, September 21. The event brought together students, university authorities, and special guests committed to this cause. The keynote address was delivered by MSc. Elvia Matute , Academic Vice-Rector of UCENM. She shared a message focused on institutional reflection and the university’s ongoing commitment to ethical values ​​and the development of peace. The UCENM Folklore Dance Group from the Santa Cruz de Yojoa campus graced the day with their artistic participation. As a symbolic act of unity and civic commitment, the attendees organized themselves to form the human figure of the peace symbol, highlighting the fundamental role of each individual in creating harmonious environments and mutual respect. The commemoration concluded in front of the UCENM San Pedro Sula Campus facilities with the release of balloons into the sky, a symbolic gesture of hope and of the institutional premise that peace is a collective construction based on daily actions.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2026) for the International Day of Peace?


Mexico, Jiutepec

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HONDURAS, COSTA RICA, AND GUATEMALA

WEAVING PEACE, An open virtual event : What began two years ago as an initiative led by young people from Central America now connects voices from around the world. This September 21st, International Day of Peace, we are coming together to share experiences, hear about different realities, and discuss something that unites us: how are we building peace within our own communities? Because peace isn’t built from the outside in. It is woven from our voices, our experiences, and our actions.

MEXICO

BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR : On the occasion of International Peace Day, participate in the free community event for women “Peace Begins with Us: Building Free Communities from a Place of Violence.” Monday, September 21, at 10 AM, at the LIBRE Center for Women in Ciudad Constitución.

CIUDAD JUÁREZ : This Sunday, September 20, the Binational Summit for Peace and Justice 2026 concluded , an unprecedented event that for three days brought together more than 250 activists and representatives of organizations from Mexico, the United States and Canada, and in which Greenpeace Mexico accompanied the ¡Aquí no! Collective
Convened by the People’s Movement for Peace and Justice and Global Exchange , representatives of communities affected by megaprojects, groups of searchers, human rights defenders, indigenous and Afro-descendant leaders, migrant organizations, survivors of armed violence, unions and social movements. Together with the International Tribunal of Conscience of the Peoples in Movement, the activists presented and denounced the serious situation that the region faces from each of its spheres with the aim of agreeing on joint actions.

CIUDAD MIGUEL ALEMÁN : Video of International Peace Day celebration at the Eagle College.

CULIACÁN : Through poems, songs, and traditional games, students from the María Díaz Olivas Elementary School in the Prados del Sur neighborhood commemorated the International Day of Peace, marking an occasion that highlighted the importance of harmonious coexistence, respect, and dialogue within the classroom. During the event, the children took part in various artistic activities before an audience of teachers, parents, and municipal and state officials.

CULIACÁN : Inmates at the Aguaruto Penitentiary Center commemorated International Peace Day with a series of activities focused on coexistence, respect, and the promotion of values, in addition to concluding a week of sports and cultural events. The activities were organized by the Sinaloa Public Security Secretariat as part of the actions aimed at strengthening culture, sports and social reintegration processes within the penitentiary center. The day began with a peace march , led by an escort and a marching band made up of people deprived of their liberty, who paid honors and raised the flag alluding to peace.

DOLORES HIDALGO INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY COMMEMORATED IN DOLORES HIDALGO. At the “Álvaro Obregón” park, better known as the Alameda, authorities, teaching staff, and students from educational institutions participated in the crime prevention program “Exchange of war toys for educational toys,” which aims to promote good behavior and healthy recreation among the residents of Dolores Hidalgo.

GUANAJUATO : Video: The University of Guanajuato invites you to the International Congress for the International Day of Peace as part of its commemorative events September 21 and 22.

JIUTEPEC : On the occasion of International Peace Day, we participated in the University Forum held at the Polytechnic University of Morelos (UPEMOR), in Jiutepec. These gatherings provide spaces for dialogue and participation for the youth of Morelos.

MEXICO CITY : In observance of the International Day of Peace, come visit the Community Culture Pavilion from September 22 to 27, starting at 11:00 AM. It features cultural and artistic activities that promote dialogue, social harmony, and the strengthening of bonds that build community.

MEXICO CITY : Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Penales. Be part of the Peace Culture Week! We invite you to experience something unique, open to the general public and free admission. Join us to enjoy conferences, preventive talks, and cinema-reflection to inspire and build peace together. Don’t miss this great day of learning and dialogue!

MEXICO CITY : We celebrate International University and Peace Day! The UNRC (Universidad Nacional Rosario Castellanos), through #DeporteUNRC and the Peace and Healthy Life Department, held a day full of energy, participation, and camaraderie. During the event, various activities were enjoyed, creating a space for meeting, fun, and participation among our #ComunidadChayito.

MEXICO CITY : We invite you to the next #NochedeMuseos at the Archivo General de la Nación de México. To commemorate the end of World War II and International Day of Peace, we present “Scorbix”, a butoh dance piece that embodies memory, ash, and reconstruction. A ritual of movement to never forget why we chose peace.

MEXICO CITY IZTAPALAPA :
Video: To mark the International Day of Peace, I visited the “Manuel Alcalá Martín” elementary school to share with the children the importance of building a community based on respect, dialogue, and solidarity. This school is part of “De la A a la Z Trazaremos la Meta”, a program through which we continue to transform educational spaces in Iztapalapa.

MEXICO CITY SAN RAPHAEL : Universidad del Valle de México (UVM), In commemoration of the International Day of Peace, we invite our entire Lince Community to attend dressed in white this Monday, September 21. With this symbolic action, we reaffirm our commitment to respect, empathy, inclusion, and the construction of a culture of peace. Join us and let’s make our desire to live in a more united and supportive community visible! White unites us, peace inspires us.

NACAJUCA : Video of International Day of Peace celebration by city hall of Nacajuca

NUEVA LEÓN : Secretaría de Igualdad e Inclusión Nuevo León and Subsecretaría de Prevención y Seguridad Humana. From September 14 to 21, we will observe the Week for a Culture of Peace—seven days of community activities, artistic expressions, and actions to promote respect and better coexistence.

NUEVA LEÓN : Today, we celebrated the International Day of Peace at the Ignacio J. Allende Elementary School (afternoon session). The Río Bravo Pan American Round Table (MRP), led by Dr. Diana García Salinas, thanks the school’s principal, Martín Leija Rodríguez, for all the assistance provided in making this celebration possible—an occasion where we reaffirmed that peace is built every day through respect, empathy, and dialogue.

NUEVA LEÓN : Fundación Marcelíno Muñoz. Let’s celebrate the International Day of Peace together! Join us for this special conference with Dr. Marcelino Muñoz.

PARAÍSO, TABASCO : Video of International Day of Peace celebration.

PUEBLA : Universidad Tecnológica de Puebla. Within the framework of the International Day of Peace, the university community participated in the activity “Mural for Peace,” a space for expression and reflection to express the value of respect, empathy, and coexistence. Because peace is also built with our hands, our words, and our actions.

QUERÉTARO : Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. On the occasion of International Peace Day, the Faculty of Law hosted the 7th International Forum on Culture and Education for Peace, which this year took the theme “Youth and Education for Peace: actions for the transformation of conflicts”.

SAN LUIS POTOSI : Within the framework of the International Day of Peace , which is commemorated every September 21 , the College of San Luis, COLSAN , hosted the presentation “The construction of peace in the Mexico of the Fourth Transformation” , a space in which the importance of addressing the causes that generate violence , strengthening the community fabric and promoting the participation of society in the search for solutions was highlighted. During the meeting, the Mexican government presented its vision for peacebuilding, based on addressing the root causes of violence, the presence of institutions in the field, and the active participation of communities.

SAN LUIS POTOSI : To mark the International Day of Peace on September 21, the Faculty of Medicine opened a space for reflection with the university community through the event “Beyond the Scalpel: Peace as a Diagnosis and Medicine as a Social Tool.”

SAN MIGUEL DE COZUMEL : As part of the International Day of Peace, which is celebrated every September 21, the children of CENDI 3 participated in various commemorative playful activities, while the teachers shared with them the message and the importance of this date.

SINALOA : In the context of the International Day of Peace, the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente opened a space to reflect on “Tools to build peace from the university: inner peace and community peace”, a reflection meeting aimed at the Lince Community. The Rector, Dr. Pedro Fores Leal, pointed out that the University is committed to strengthening the culture of peace through the exercise of rights, freedom, and coexistence based on respect.

TLAXCALA : Lecture Series on Peacebuilding. Held as part of the International Day of Peace. Casa de loa Saberes Juridicos, Tlaxcala.

TOLUCA : To mark the International Day of Peace, the 50+1 State of Mexico collective, in collaboration with Ágora: International Consultancy for Education, Development, and Peace, held a forum and presentation titled “Commitment to a Culture of Peace and the Rights of Women and Girls,” featuring the participation of women from various municipalities and sectors. The event was led by Mónica Álvarez Nemer, President of 50+1 State of Mexico.

XOCHIACA : At Jaime Torres Bodet Middle School on the occasion of International Peace Day, the school community experienced a very special ceremony where students performed the National Anthem in Mexican Sign Language, accompanied by the National Guard and the Municipal Police Band, demonstrating that inclusion strengthens our national identity. Because civic duty and patriotism are lived and built every day!

XOCHITEPEC : As part of the commemoration of the International Day of Peace, dozens of families and visitors enjoyed a colorful cultural show by the Symphony Orchestra and the Folkloric Ballet of the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) , presented in the esplanade of the zócalo of Xochitepec .

PANAMA

PANAMA CITY Centro de Orientación Infantil Tu Guía. Video of children with balloons celebrating the International Day of Peace.

PARAGUAY

ASUNCIÓN : September 24, The Minister of the Minestry of the Economy and Finance, Andrea Picaso, participated in the opening of the Regional Meeting of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) of LatinAmerica and the Caribbean, organized by the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, held at the National Congress. The event was attended by numerous delegations and international representatives.

URUGUAY

CIUDAD DEL PLATA : The Uruguay Climate Reality Project offered the first of two unique gatherings called “Town Hall COP”. Instead of traditional powerholders discussing climate action, they brought together community members to present and discuss nonviolent solutions for environmental justice.  Organizer Leonina Arismendi chose to hold the Town Hall COP on Wetlands, Biodiversity, and Resilient Communities on September 21, the International Day of Peace, for a specific reason. She says that: the solutions we need to confront the climate crisis are also solutions for peace. 

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

UNAM Signs Collaboration Agreement for a Culture of Peace

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article from Gaceta UNAM National Autonomous University of Mexico

As part of the Second Culture of Peace Week, the University Program on the Culture of Peace and the Eradication of Violence—affiliated with the Coordination of Humanities—signed a collaboration agreement with the Peace Manifesto International Board.


Alicia Cabezudo and Leticia Cano. Photo: PUCPAZ.

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(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

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This organization was established in 2021, in accordance with the Department of Association Regulation of the Seine-Maritime Prefecture in France, and is presided over by David Adams, a prominent researcher and international peace activist.

Its objectives are to preserve and maintain the history, memory, and tools of the culture of peace—such as news, archives, biographies, guides, books, and reports—as well as to disseminate and transmit the culture of peace and deconstruct the culture of war through education, research, and training projects.

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Latin America

Mexico: Toluca Red Cross Receives Flag of Peace and Strengthens Commitment Against Violence

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by Digitalmex

The Mexican Red Cross, Toluca Delegation, received the Flag of Peace and was designated an Organization Promoting a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence. In doing so, it committed to strengthening actions based on dialogue, respect, empathy, and humanitarian care among its staff and volunteers.

During the event held to mark the International Day of Peace—observed on September 21—Mario Vázquez de la Torre, president of the Toluca Delegation, noted that serving others is also a way to contribute to peaceful coexistence.

“May our volunteers always serve as an example that helping others is also a way to build peace.”

Toluca Red Cross signs commitment to a culture of peace

In the presence of María del Rocío Pegueros Velázquez, honorary president of DIF Toluca, a letter of intent was signed to promote a culture of peace and non-violence within the Toluca Delegation.

As part of the agreement, volunteers presented and signed a ten-point declaration establishing principles to translate this commitment into the institution’s daily activities.

“True commitment begins right now; it starts with every word we speak, every difference we resolve through dialogue, every person we treat with respect, and every act of service performed with empathy and humanity.”

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(Click here for the original article in Spanish.)

Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

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Vázquez de la Torre called on volunteers to extend these practices beyond Red Cross facilities and apply them within their families, communities, schools, workplaces, and other spaces where they represent the institution. Education and participation: keys to preventing violence

At the gathering, Alicia Cabezudo—an International Peace Ambassador and member of the *Mil Milenios de Paz* (A Thousand Millennia of Peace) Foundation—delivered a lecture on the historical development of the culture of peace since the end of World War II.

The specialist maintained that educating for peace entails assuming responsibility and fostering open, democratic participation, as well as promoting interdisciplinary work to incorporate diverse perspectives and methodologies.

“How wonderful it would be to have groups of proactive people who, drawing from their respective disciplines, contribute perspectives, viewpoints, and methodologies that enrich and strengthen efforts to build peace.”

Red Cross humanitarian work highlighted

Carolina Alanís, an international ambassador for the *Mil Milenios de Paz* Foundation, emphasized that those who join this movement embody values ​​such as respect for life, solidarity, and human development.

She noted that the principles of a culture of peace have been integral to the Red Cross’s work since its inception in the 19th century; the organization provides humanitarian aid without regard to nationality, age, race, color, or gender, always placing the individual at the center of its care.

Key Facts

Why did the Toluca Red Cross receive the Flag of Peace? The Toluca Delegation received this distinction for its commitment to promoting a culture of peace and non-violence through dialogue, respect, empathy, and humanitarian service.

What commitment did the Toluca Red Cross make upon receiving the Flag of Peace? The institution signed a letter of intent and a ten-point pledge to foster peaceful coexistence among its staff and volunteers, both within and outside its facilities.

What role will Red Cross volunteers play in promoting peace Volunteers will seek to apply these principles when serving the public and to share them within their own families, communities, schools, and workplaces.

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, Latin America

National Autonomous University of Mexico: Second Culture of Peace Week

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

Excerpts from two *Gaceta UNAM* articles: September 8 and
September 14.

Peace demands far more than the absence of conflict. It entails defending rights, addressing the root causes of discontent, and creating conditions for full participation in shared life, stated UNAM Rector Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas.

Inaugurating UNAM’s Second National Culture of Peace Week, he emphasized that this culture “is learned and built day by day in homes, classrooms, workplaces, streets, institutions, and the public sphere. It manifests in how we treat others, in our willingness to listen, and in our capacity to take responsibility for our actions.”


Frame from video of event

He also noted that universities bear specific responsibilities: generating rigorous knowledge regarding the causes and manifestations of violence; training individuals capable of preventing and addressing it; and examining our own institutional practices. . . .

Dedicated to youth

Earlier, Enrique Javier Ochoa welcomed the holding of UNAM’s Second National Culture of Peace Week, an event analyzing the challenges in this area. He added that strengthening the culture of peace is an imperative, as is the commitment to diplomacy and cooperation in a world where deaths resulting from armed conflict are rising exponentially.

At the Alfonso Caso Auditorium, Leticia Cano welcomed attendees to the gathering dedicated to young people—agents of peace who also demand social justice and respect for inalienable rights, and who embrace with hope the creation of societies based on substantive equality and democratic environments where “their voices matter, are heard, and are taken into account.”

According to Daniel Giménez, his country—Norway—defends peace by supporting multilateralism, strengthening international law, and protecting fundamental rights; they view peace as something built through international negotiations as well as within schools, universities, and various other spheres. Furthermore, young people are creating support networks, community-based proposals, and new forms of participation.

Dionisio Meade, President of the Board of Directors of Fundación UNAM, agreed that young people represent an asset in which hopes for transformation are invested, as they can turn conflicts into opportunities for dialogue, prevent violence, and foster inclusion. To this end, the Foundation and PUCPAZ formalized a partnership to provide 84 university high school students with a 10-month scholarship, enabling them to become agents of peace within their respective campuses.

Francisco Gorjón Gómez, Director of the Culture of Peace program at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, noted that the national university system faces the challenge of contributing to the building and maintenance of peace. He emphasized the need to “speak of peace from a place of peace”—rather than merely reacting to violence—and to ensure that educational curricula include the development of peace-building skills. He also stressed the importance of being proactive, rather than waiting until violence occurs to discuss this value.

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(Click here for a Spanish version of this article)

Question related to this article:

University campus peace centers, What is happening on your campus?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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For Estefani López Cruz—a member of the “Peace-Weaving Community” (Comunidad Tejedora de Paz) within the UNAM high school system and a student at the College of Sciences and Humanities (CCH) Oriente campus—peace is something one learns, then practices, and finally spreads to others. She noted that it can be put into action through the way problems are resolved: without shouting, by incorporating diverse ideas, and by caring for shared spaces.


Frame from video of event

Economics strengthens university reflection on the culture of peace

As part of UNAM’s Second National Week of the Culture of Peace (2026), the Faculty of Economics opened a forum for analysis and reflection on a phenomenon currently affecting democratic coexistence: the use of hatred as both a form of discourse and a political strategy.

In the Jesús Silva Herzog Great Hall, Manuel Torres Aguilar—Director of the UNESCO Chair on Conflict Resolution at the University of Córdoba, Spain—delivered a keynote lecture titled “Hatred: Discourse and Political Strategy.” In it, he examined the mechanisms by which prejudice, discrimination, and exclusionary rhetoric can escalate into acts of collective violence.

During the subsequent discussion, Lorena Rodríguez León, Director of the Faculty of Economics, highlighted the importance of addressing these issues from within the university—and specifically from the perspective of economic sciences. She noted that processes of violence and exclusion possess structural dimensions requiring interdisciplinary study, while also emphasizing the role of the public university as a space of resistance, critical thinking, and the construction of alternatives.

For her part, Leticia Cano Soriano, Director of UNAM’s University Program for a Culture of Peace, highlighted the importance of creating spaces for dialogue *with* university youth, rather than merely *about* them. She emphasized that a culture of peace requires community participation, critical analysis, and collective commitment in the face of contemporary scenarios of violence and polarization.

Alicia Cabezudo, a professor at the University of Rosario in Argentina and a specialist in peace education, agreed that building a culture of peace demands an interdisciplinary perspective and the strengthening of values ​​such as solidarity, cooperation, empathy, and respect.

The event concluded with a call to recognize that, in the face of discourses seeking to divide and dehumanize, educational institutions bear a fundamental responsibility: to generate knowledge, strengthen critical thinking, and foster communities capable of building societies that are more just, united, and peaceful.

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FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Brazil: Restorative Justice program trains educators to foster a culture of peace in municipal schools

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by the Court of Justice of the State of Roraima

Teachers and administrators from the municipal school system completed a Restorative Justice training course on Friday, August 7. The program focused on implementing practices that encourage dialogue, active listening, and a culture of peace within schools.

The methodology employed by Restorative Justice aims to create spaces for dialogue, strengthen bonds, and contribute to conflict prevention and resolution. Valeska Carvalho, head of the Restorative Justice Unit—coordinated by Judge Marcelo de Oliveira of the Court of Justice of Roraima (TJRR)—explained that the goal is to prepare school professionals themselves to share the knowledge gained during the training with others.

“The intention is for them to be prepared to transfer this knowledge to their own environments—their schools. It was a 40-hour course where they learned about the ‘peace-building circles’ methodology, which is the approach we use in schools. This gives schools the autonomy to manage their own projects.”

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(Click here for the original article in Portuguese)

Discussion question

Restorative justice, What does it look like in practice?

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For those who have participated in previous sessions, the impact of the training is directly visible in daily school life. Teacher Conceição Rebouças, from the José David Feitosa Neto Municipal School, participated in a Restorative Justice training program for the third time; she notes that the practices she has learned have contributed to the children’s development.

“We have achieved good results at the school because the children are developing a culture of peace. Whenever we bring the experiences shared here and the guidelines we’ve worked on into the classroom, we notice the school making progress and seeing significant benefits—especially for the children,” she stated. According to the educator, student participation also demonstrates their interest in the activities developed based on the techniques they learned.

“The results are visible. Parents come to praise the work we do, and the children actually ask when we’ll be back in the classroom to apply the techniques learned in the course. So, that is rewarding for us,” she said.

The training also covered topics such as assertive communication, listening, mediation, and conflict resolution. For Adélio Gomes, a teacher at the Senador Darcy Ribeiro Municipal School, the knowledge gained expands the educators’ options for handling common situations in the school environment.

“This is a very comprehensive course that teaches us how to communicate and listen correctly. Often, we listen but interrupt, without waiting for our colleague to finish speaking. We worked on assertive communication, conflict resolution, and how to act as mediators,” he explained.

Spanning 40 hours, the course took place over two weeks and introduced participants to the peace-building circles methodology.

Armed with this new knowledge, teachers and administrators return to their schools with tools they can apply in their daily routines—especially in conflict situations and in building relationships grounded in dialogue and listening.

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

UNAM, Mexico: Establishment of Commission to Develop Content on a Culture of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from Gaceta UNAM

An Academic Working Commission has been established at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) with the aim of contributing to and supporting high school education through the development of educational courses on a culture of peace for students and faculty,

This commission is comprised of the University Program on a Culture of Peace and the Eradication of Violence (PUCPAZ), the general directorates of the National Preparatory School and the National School of Sciences and Humanities, the High School Academic Council, the General Directorate of Incorporation and Revalidation of Studies (DGIRE), and the Institute of Legal Research.

Leticia Cano Soriano, head of PUCPAZ, led a ceremony held at the Program’s offices in the Engineering Tower. She explained that the design, development, and integration of an elective course and a training course are part of the University’s strategy to disseminate a culture of peace across all levels of education, beginning in secondary school and later being integrated into higher education.

The Master of Social Work commented that it is important to develop this elective course and training program to offer students and faculty tools that allow them to incorporate a culture of peace and violence prevention into academic activities, with an emphasis on human rights, interculturality, and community social fabric. She also emphasized integrating these themes with other subjects in the high school curriculum.

Sergio Abraham Reyes Pantoja, Academic Secretary of PUCPAZ, explained that, based on the University Program’s Founding Agreement, one of the program’s objectives is the development of its own educational content on a culture of peace. In addition to advising institutions on mainstreaming these topics into their curricula, the commission also promotes the development of human resources for teaching. The aim is to establish plans and strategies at the high school level for disseminating a culture of peace and implementing specific actions to eradicate violence in university environments.

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(Click here for a Spanish version of this article)

Question related to this article:

How can we develop the institutional framework for a culture of peace?

Is there progress towards a culture of peace in Mexico?

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During the meeting, Consuelo Arce Ortiz, secretary of the Academic Council of the UNAM High School, stated that it is essential to begin with an understanding of the regulations, specifically the General Regulations for the Presentation and Approval of Study Plans and Programs. This will provide greater academic validation, and the need to address a culture of peace has already been raised, calling the University to action.

Arce Ortiz added that the commission’s intention is to place the dignity of individuals at the center of education, fostering positive attitudes and positively impacting the lives of the school and teaching community.

Restorative Approach

Mara Hernández Estrada, from the Institute of Legal Research, mentioned that collaborative work is crucial to ensure the classroom becomes a suitable pedagogical environment for fostering a culture of peace, especially in conflict management, and with a restorative approach.

She emphasized the importance of addressing students’ needs to prevent negative impacts in the classroom, aligning with the ethics of care, and raising awareness about violence.

Speaking next, Alejandro Benítez Jiménez, Continuing Education Coordinator at the DGIRE (General Directorate of Educational Research), shared that the affiliated system serves more than 17,000 students in 28 states across Mexico, who follow 263 different curricula, and that they will now be able to incorporate these courses to promote a culture of peace.

In developing new courses, she noted, it is essential to consider the needs of affiliated schools both in Mexico City and throughout the country. She added that the new courses for students and faculty will be an important opportunity to convey not only the message of fostering a culture of peace, but also the teaching strategies to achieve it.

Finally, Jacqueline Leyva Chávez, coordinator of the Institutional Tutoring Program at the General Directorate of the College of Sciences and Humanities, emphasized that the course topics are particularly relevant because students face diverse challenges, and the training must include specific strategies to effectively support and guide them.

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DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, Latin America

Dominican Republic: Violence Reduction and Peace Culture Promotion Program in Schools

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article by Erasmo Lara Peña in Acento

Promoting a culture of peace in schools is a strategic priority for the Dominican education system. Within this framework, schools are recognized as a privileged space for the formation of citizens capable of living together respectfully, valuing diversity, and managing conflicts constructively.

After retiring from the United Nations in 2005 and subsequently serving as the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to the United Nations in 2009, I have dedicated myself to projects related to promoting a culture of peace, community mediation, conflict resolution, and international negotiations, primarily within public institutions and civil society organizations in our country.

I have carried out much of this work through the Dominican Center for Peace, a private, public-service institution that I founded in 2006. One of the most significant projects has been the establishment of peace clubs in schools throughout the Dominican Republic through the Violence Reduction and Peace Culture Promotion Program in Schools.

I would like to document the process of creating, developing, consolidating, and institutionalizing the Peace Clubs program in the Dominican Republic, highlighting the main achievements, the partnerships forged, and the impact generated within the educational community during the years of implementation.

The program originally emerged in 2017 as a pilot initiative. Subsequently, during the 2022-2023 school year, it became part of the activities of the Vice Ministry of Preventive Security in Provincial Governments of the Ministry of the Interior and Police, in collaboration with the Directorate of Guidance and Psychology (DOP) of the Ministry of Education.

By the end of the 2025-2026 school year, the main achievements included the implementation of the program in 500 schools, the training of more than 12,000 student peace promoters, the training of 700 counselors and psychologists, as well as 48 regional and district technicians. The program also has a presence in seven regional education offices and forty-one school districts.

It is important to mention that the standardization of teaching practices was also achieved through the production of printed, audiovisual, and digital materials to support the various training activities. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the program became an integral part of Presidential Goal 21 on a Culture of Peace, incorporated into the action plan of the Directorate of Guidance and Psychology until 2028. The objective is to incorporate approximately 800 new schools.

Among the main challenges faced during the program’s implementation were inter-institutional coordination, territorial expansion, and the sustainability of the training activities. However, the commitment of the regional and district technical teams, counselors, psychologists, and students allowed for the consolidation of a high-impact experience for school coexistence.

The Peace Clubs operate in schools identified by the Ministry of Education and located in priority areas within the Comprehensive Citizen Security Strategy, “My Safe Country.” Currently, the program operates in all school districts of San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo Este, the National District, Santiago, La Vega, San Francisco de Macorís, Moca, Bonao, and Piedra Blanca.

Promoting a culture of peace in schools is a strategic priority for the Dominican education system. Within this framework, schools are recognized as a privileged space for developing citizens capable of living together respectfully, valuing diversity, and managing conflicts constructively. Presidential Goal 21 on a Culture of Peace reinforces this commitment by promoting safe, participatory, and violence-free school environments.

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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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Peace Clubs are organized spaces within schools, led by and for students, with the support of counselors and school psychologists.

Their main objectives are:

• To contribute to the development of a culture of peace in schools.

• To prevent and reduce violence in schools.

• To empower students to act as peace promoters.

To strengthen students’ civic education.

Through these clubs, students develop key social-emotional skills, such as empathy, assertive communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork.

The program is implemented through three fundamental actions:

1. Training of counselors, psychologists, and students.

2. Organization of the club within the school.

3. Awareness-raising activities aimed at the entire school community.

These actions ensure that a culture of peace is not just content, but a daily practice.

To support the program, a series of printed and audiovisual materials have been designed that frame the facilitation of standardized educational content and practices on topics such as conflict, youth violence, coexistence, communication and active listening, peer mediation, and restorative practices, among others.

The Peace Club is a space run by and for students. In it, young people become agents of positive change, learning and promoting social skills such as empathy, assertive communication, peaceful conflict resolution, and teamwork.

We seek to improve the school climate and develop students committed to social peace, fostering a sense of responsibility toward their environment and contributing to the strengthening of peaceful coexistence and safety in schools.

One of the program’s main focuses has been empowering students with strategies for promoting peace and the constructive resolution of conflicts. Likewise, spaces have been created for them to construct their own knowledge and actively contribute to promoting peaceful coexistence from their own perspectives.

The enthusiastic work of counselors and psychologists involved in the program, along with the commitment and empowerment of the students, has significantly contributed to the acceptance and legitimacy it enjoys today. This 2025-2026 school year has marked a transition for the program, transferring it from the Ministry of the Interior and Police to the Ministry of Education, for implementation by the Directorate of Guidance and Psychology (DOP), which is taking the necessary steps to ensure its consolidation as a national program. These include its integration into Presidential Goal 21 on a Culture of Peace, the appointment of a national specialist to oversee it, its incorporation into the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), and the necessary budget allocation.

I feel that my seven years of work have yielded the expected results, as this effort has become a national program under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education.

I wish to express my gratitude to Engineer Ángela Jáquez, Vice Minister of the Interior and Police; to Dr. Ancell Scheker, Vice Minister of Education; to Mario Frías and Esther Custodio, two extraordinary facilitators of the hundreds of workshops given to counselors, psychologists, and thousands of student members of the club network; and, in a very special way, to Divina García, Director of Guidance and Psychology, on whose shoulders now rests the continuity and strengthening of this initiative.

Beyond the figures and the results achieved, the greatest achievement of the Peace Clubs Program has been to demonstrate that students can become active agents of social transformation when they are given the right tools to promote coexistence, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

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EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Latin America

Haiti: National Conference : Commitments of religious leaders, joint declaration

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from Ici Haiti

On Friday, May 29, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs held the closing ceremony of the National Conference of Religious Leaders for Peace, Stability, and Civic Engagement. Following the workshops, the religious leaders adopted a Declaration reaffirming their collective commitment to peace, social cohesion, civic education, support for vulnerable populations, and the effective integration of young people.

Commitments of the Joint Declaration of Religious Leaders :

1 – We commit to promoting, within our religious communities, concrete initiatives for violence prevention, civic education, and support for vulnerable populations, and to working to raise awareness among our Haitian brothers and sisters of the values of peace, tolerance, civic responsibility, and living together, particularly through community activities, mediation efforts, awareness campaigns, and youth programs;

We also commit to strengthening, within our communities, mechanisms for violence prevention, spaces for dialogue, listening, and community mediation, as well as initiatives that promote the mentoring, training, and reintegration of vulnerable youth;

2 – We call for a national mobilization around peace, civic responsibility, and the effective integration and/or reintegration of young people, particularly those from vulnerable communities and those affected by violence;

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(Click here for a French article on this subject.)

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

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3 – We call upon the State, religious leaders, those of ancestral traditions, as well as spiritual and philosophical guides, the private sector, and civil society to unite their efforts to strengthen social cohesion, promote civic education, and build a culture of peace, stability, and civic responsibility;

4 – We reaffirm our commitment to supporting victims of violence and assisting young people through training, mentoring, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual support initiatives, as well as the development of concrete alternatives to violence and crime;

5 – We recommend that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs promote the protection of places of worship and support religious leaders, those of ancestral traditions, as well as spiritual and philosophical guides in initiatives that foster interreligious dialogue, social cohesion, and the promotion of civic responsibility for peace, stability, and the strengthening of the Haitian social fabric;

• We urge the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs to establish a National Council for Interreligious Consultation (CNCI) to foster ongoing dialogue among all religious sectors, ancestral traditions, and spiritual and philosophical leaders to promote peace, security, and social cohesion in Haiti;

• We also urge the Government to declare May 28th “National Day of Religious Leaders, Ancestral Traditions, and Spiritual and Philosophical Leaders” to ensure the sustainability of this initiative, which involves groups from this sector in matters of national interest;

• We reaffirm our commitment to promoting responsible religious discourse that fosters hope, unity, fraternity, solidarity, and reconciliation in the best interests of the Haitian nation;

• Finally, we reaffirm our commitment to working alongside the Haitian State, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, and civil society, to implement strategic plans to give concrete form to this Declaration.

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Latin America, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY