The Austrian Network for Peace and Non-Violence: an initiative for the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World 2001-2010

Preamble

As a result of an appeal from several Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously decided to declare the years 2001-2010 as the "International Decade of a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World". At the General Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Harare, the same time period was declared the "Ecumenical Decade for the Overcoming of Violence".

The necessity and up-to-datedness of these appeals has been demonstrated not least by the events of September 11, 2001 and what followed. However, in Austria we are also leagues away from achieving a culture of peace and non-violence in many areas of life. On this basis, the Austrian Network for Peace and Non-Violence arrived at common agreement on several issues and demands in four areas of concern.

1. Peace-building and Education in Non-Violence

* Incorporating and anchoring education in non-violence and conflict resolution in the upbringing of children through the school system by:
- the introduction of "political education" during all mandatory school years (secondary level until 5th year/junior high and high school to age 15) as an underlying principle of teaching and education and/or as a separately taught subject. "Peace upbringing", from age 6 to 11;
- peace-building as an integral part of teacher and "multiplier" training;
- the promotion of school projects, partnerships and activities that engender peace, respect for human rights, awareness of gender issues and racism, multi-cultural and inter-religious tolerance and understanding, global learning, etc.
* Adoption and promotion of peace-building and the upbringing of children to a culture of non-violence in the realm of broader education such as children and youth work, adult education, universities (e.g., via the establishment of "peace studies" either as it stands or as a new discipline) etc.

2. Democracy and Human Rights

* The integration of the UN Charter for the Rights of Children in the Austrian constitution and its implementation through:
- the establishment of at least one center for the protection of children in every political district in Austria;
- appropriate procedures and protection, especially for unaccompanied refugees who are minors.
* Fair procedures and guarantee of basic needs for those seeking asylum, reduction of deportations to a minimum;
* Implementation of the demands of the referendum for the cause of women through concrete measures;
* No infringements of citizens' rights through controls and security measures.

3. Active Peace Politics

* The retention, i.e., reactivation of Austria's neutrality - no participation in military unions and military interventions by the Euro army;
* Gradual dismantling of the military with the utilization of freed resources for peace-building and the implementation of active, non-violent, peaceful political policies, e.g., the creation of a peace foundation with a starting capital of Euro 75 million;
* Active commitment of Austria to disarmament in general and in particular for
- global nuclear disarmament and the elimination of all chemical and biological weapons,
- the reduction and control of the ownership, use and trade of small arms.
* The establishment and guaranteed financial support for service and activities for peace as an instrument for civil conflict resolution.
* Development and implementation of a concept for "peace zones" (local communities, institutions, etc.) in Austria.

4. Peace Economics

* A written commitment to the reduction of poverty as a basic goal of development aid and the corresponding concrete activities:
- the increase of development aid to 0.7% of GDP as a first step.
* The introduction of guaranteed basic subsistence for all people living in Austria as a further development of the social welfare state principle.
* Measures on an international level to create a just economic world order:
- Advocacy of the introduction of the Tobin-tax on the EU level;
- Commitment for the introduction of minimum social standards in the WTO.

CONTACT:
Österreichisches Netzwerk für Frieden und Gewaltfreiheit
Austrian Network for Peace and Non-Violence
c/o Internationaler Versöhnungsbund
Lederergasse 23/3/27
A-1080 Wien
Tel., Fax: +43-(0)1-408 53 32
Email: office@versoehnungsbund.at
Homepage: http://www.friedensnetzwerk.at
Bank: Account Nr. 300031-06424, BLZ: 20111