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PPSEAWA Conference, Cook Islands - Ignite the Power of Peace
The following is a preview of the proposed keynote addresses that will be delivered at the Conference. Discussions or workshops will follow the addresses.
Opening Ceremony Saturday 11 November - Formal Welcome Dinner
The address "Ignite the Power of Peace" will provide an overview of the Conference programme establishing the framework for future speakers to follow. Areas to be covered include:
- Is there hope for the future? - Provide a vision and a challenge to the Conference - What new agenda can be developed - ways to make peace a reality
- "Peace is not an abstract idea but rooted firmly in cultural, political, social and economic contexts' (Federico Mayor)
- Role of Governments, and non-government organisations
Monday 13 November
The address "The New People" will note the changing world and therefore the changing roles of men and women. This will be as a result of influences such as technology and innovation, spiritual influences, and education. Decision-making roles and conflict resolution will be addressed as well as the issue of equity. Peace-making through changing roles.
Workshop Activity
Topics for workshop activity will cover each of the major areas identified and recommendations developed including practical solutions for conflict resolution, in the home, community and country.
The outcome will provide practical solutions for changing roles of men and women.
Tuesday 14 November
The address "New Environment" will be delivered through a panel of speakers who will give their experiences, ideas and thoughts on the new environment chaired by the Cook Islands. It is expected that the speakers will be an international representative, a regional representative, a woman, a young adult and a representative from Asia. The speakers will address the home, country, and regional environment and include:
- traditional practices and knowledge
- appreciation of tradition versus science
- spirituality comes with tradition
- integration of modern life with tradition - resolving the conflicts between the two
- harmony and peace with the environment - what this means for global harmony and peace
The earth is one but the world is not. We all depend on our environment for sustaining our lives. Yet each community strives for survival and prosperity with little regard for its impact on others. Sustainability is a multi-dimensional problem.
Plenary Activity
Country representatives will be requested to provide practical demonstrations on video or a pictorial view of what their country is doing in this area. Questions will be prepared and sent to country representatives concerning the topics for the countries to answer and then pose further questions for the panel to answer.
Positive responses to working in harmony with our environment will be the major outcome.
Wednesday 15 November
The address "Interdependence, Globalism and Intercultural Dialogue" will identify the need for all to understand that the world and its people are one.
"There are no mistakes - no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from" (Elizabeth Kubler Ross). Areas that will be addressed will include reasons for hope: interdependence:
- "Peace is not a dream it is a project."
- The dynamics of developing peace in the world. "The global scenario"
- The world is in transition and in search of new points of reference. What are they?
- Technology and its positive impact.
- Peace in the political forum.
- We need a unified sense of identity and some common convictions about the value of life.
- A celebration of cultural diversity in an interdependent global community.
- The celebration will be of cultural diversity in an interdependent global community.
- Discover and design ways to make peace on the planet a reality
- Women participation in peace promotion
Plenary or Workshop Activity
The type of activity and the development of the topic will be as advised by the keynote speaker. Suggestions to date include a "DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE" coming out of the Conference and taken back for country endorsement.
Thursday 16 November
The address "United Nations Day - Year of Peace" will be given by an official of UNESCO or its representative. The address will provide discussion on our role to achieve peace in our communities, countries, regions and in the world. How to develop a Culture of Peace.
Plenary and Workshop Activity
It proposed an action plan be developed by countries and then regions for on going culture of peace activities supported and funded by UNESCO.
Friday 17 November
This day will demonstrate "Children as Teachers of Peace". It will be a day of drama and song involving over 100 children. Children are our future and it is in them we depend for peace and harmony in the world.
Plenary and Workshop Activity
Suggested that children produce a booklet on promoting peace activities. How to live and play in harmony with each other in peaceful surroundings. This may include activities by children from other countries. A positive approach on dos and don'ts for children by children would be the major outcome.
Farewell Dinner
The final address will be at the Farewell Dinner and it will demonstrate how we can all become Educators of Peace. It will provide the impetus for all participants to go away and become peacemakers and educators.