In 1999, the UN General Assembly adopted the “Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace” (A/RES/53/243). As stated in the United Nations definition, “a Culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, traditions and modes of behaviors and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations.” 

Eight action areas are identified in the Programme of Action:

1. Foster a culture of peace through education
2. Promote sustainable economic and social development
3. Promote respect for all human rights
4. Ensure equality between women and men
5. Foster democratic participation
6. Advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity
7. Support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge
8. Promote international peace and security

As expressed in our mission and vision statements, we believe that each individual is capable of fostering the culture of peace. The culture of peace is a framework that enables us to approach the various issues at the UN—which are reflected in our focus areas—as interconnected and interrelated. Be it disarmament, sustainable development, human rights, or gender and women’s empowerment, they all are integral to the “peace” we envision, in which each person can make meaningful contributions. 

SGI has been working to advance the culture of peace through various efforts such as conducting lectures and forums, and creating educational resources such as exhibitions, publications and videos, resulting in large civil society engagement worldwide. As a founding member of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace, we are actively involved in supporting the UN High Level Forum on the Culture of Peace convened by the President of the General Assembly since 2012. 

1. Download the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace 20th anniversary commemorative version booklet here 
2. Download the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace booklet here
3. Download the Culture of Peace bookmark with 8 action areas here
4. Read our news articles on the culture of peace:

• • • Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN, Founder of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace
    • Dr. Sarah Ann Wider, Professor of English at Colgate University
    • Dr. Kevin Clements, Toda Peace Institute Director
    • Ms. Beatrice Fihn, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Executive Director
    • Dr. Betty Reardon, Peace Educator
    • Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Co-President of the Club of Rome
    • UN Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
    • 2017 High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace
    • 2019 High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace