International Bulletin - May 2001

Pan Pacific Southeast Asia Women's Association 21st International Conference

10 - 18 November 2000 Strategic Action Plan 2000

Introduction

"Igniting the Power of Peace" is a theme that the Conference organisers chose to coincide with the Decade for the Culture of Peace.

Important principles to a Culture of Peace are those listed in the Manifesto 2000

The fostering of a culture of peace through education
Promoting sustainable economic and social development
Promoting respect for all human rights
Actions to ensure equality between women and men
Actions to foster democratic participation
Actions to advance understanding, tolerance and solidarity
Actions to support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge
Actions to promote international peace and security

A culture of peace encompasses not only peace as the absence of war, but focuses on the content, the substance and the conditions of peace. UNESCO provides us with the following on which the Pre Conference and Conference is based.

"there can be no lasting peace without development and no sustainable development without full equality between women and men"

To develop and maintain a Culture of Peace there is a fundamental requirement for human rights and good governance. This theme was developed in the Pre Conference, which outlined the important conventions that member countries were encouraged to lobby for endorsement and reporting.

Having provided the background for "Igniting the Power of Peace" the conference considered issues that may influence "Igniting the Power of Peace". It addressed obstacles and to the maintenance of achieving the Peace. These were discussed through keynote addresses, panellists and workshops.

Development of a Strategic Action Plan is an important outcome at the conference and will provide for all ideas and practical ways of "Igniting the Power of Peace".

This action plan culminated in the resolution that was accepted by the 21 countries of PPSEAWA.

This action plan is only the framework methodology of how these are undertaken is the decision of individual countries.

Action will lead to "Igniting the Power of Peace" in your country.

Jennifer Litau, President of PPSEAWA Papua New Guinea, a new member of PPSEAWA at the Conference opening ceremony.

Pre Conference - November 11 & 12, 2000

The Pre Conference provided the framework to facilitate the implementation of a culture of peace.

The matter of human rights and good governance has seen firm global commitment through the adoption and ratification of international treaties, which, have been agreed upon with a common goal of achieving sustainable development by setting minimum standards to achieve a global culture of peace. Countries that aspire to meet these standards often translate these global commitments into national frameworks by incorporating these principles in their national constitutions. Although, it has become a critical component in all United Nations treaties, at the implementation level, there is a degree of variation in the actual application of these principles. A number of significant initiatives have been mandated and deserve recognition, if not implementation, the International Year for the Culture of Peace, the United Nations Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace and the UNESCO Statement on Women's Contribution to a Culture of Peace.

Availability and accessibility to resources and organisational capacity are key requirements to a programme on sustainable human rights and good governance. It is acknowledged that there is a gradual decrease in the overall development assistance as compared to the last ten years as donors reassess and re-prioritise their development assistance based on what would be most strategic and beneficial for them. Therefore, it is important that existing mechanisms and linkages should be identified and utilised. Networking and sharing of experiences and lessons learnt on work carried out in the area of human rights and good governance is critical. Information on availability of both technical and financial assistance in this area should be widely disseminated to all stakeholders.

The objectives for the Pre Conference were:

To increase awareness and understanding of the principles of human rights and good governance as a pre-requisite to achieving a culture of peace.
To discuss situations of conflict where human rights and practice of good governance is being violated.
To develop strategies on how to manage and mediate a conflict situation.
Discuss experiences and lessons learnt from conflict situations in the Asia Pacific region and develop a framework that can be used by members in developing programmes for a Culture of Peace.
Identify mechanisms and linkages to assist in the implementation of programmes for a Culture of Peace.

Discussions provided the following strategies to be developed further by PPSEAWA country groups

Education and school programmes to support a Culture of Peace. These may include civic leadership, human rights, Manifesto 2000 for a Culture of Peace, implementation of a non-violence and tolerance policy
Family communicating, listening and instilling educational values to create an environment for a culture of peace including family and community role modelling
Encourage solidarity amongst women and women's organisations with special emphasis on encouraging men to participate and support these groups. This will include giving women empowerment to build capacity, access to finance, strengthening networking amongst women's organisations nationally and internationally and ensuring that women are given representation on women's issues.
Encourage woman to teach tolerance and understanding in the family and support cross cultural dialogue
Women to be encouraged to act as mediators and to nurture and understand their role as parents
Women taking a more proactive role in home, community and public life as well as representation in Parliament
Encourage positive media reporting at all levels of the community as well as ensuring freedom of the press.
Identify mechanisms to address inequality in resource distribution and allocation at all levels of society
Using women as role models
Ensure equal access to information and technology
Ensuring government assumes the responsibility for equal distribution of resources as well as social programmes to alleviate poverty. Provide adequate support for promotion and adherence to CEDAW and shadow reporting.
Encourage attendance of women to International Conferences to create greater understanding of national, regional or global issues
Lobby Government to ratify treaties and conventions and ensure compliance to treaties and conventions. Monitor the reporting requirements of Government.
Encourage dialogue with government in an effort to develop tmst and improve government commitment to a culture of peace
Development assistance should be better coordinated to avoid duplication of efforts.

Eleitino Paddy Walker speaks of her vision for Peace at the dedication of the Peace Garden. The Cook Islands conference was six years in the planning under the guidance of Paddy Walker.

Conference

The Conference provided topics that gave the participants many things to contemplate and consider:

Monday, Nov. 13, 2000

The world is changing and therefore the roles of men and women are changing. It is an opportune time for concerted efforts in developing a culture of peace. To consider the issues of the people who are the world's greatest resource. A culture of peace emerges when everyone including women has the opportunity to develop- to full potential and has equality of opportunity. We seem to be some distance away from "equality of opportunity" when we see in the research by the United Nations that in the world as a whole, women comprise 51 percent of the population, do 66 percent of the work, receive 10 percent Of the income and own less than one percent of the property.

The objectives of the Monday session were:

To understand significant global changes that will impact on the roles of men and women
To understand the specific roles for men and women in the 21st century
To identify the key challenges for women of the Pacific and Asia in adapting to their new roles
To develop strategies that will ensure equal opportunity for both men and women in social, economic and political areas.
To recognise the complementary roles of men and women in a changing environment.
To understand how these changing roles will impact on children
To explore new leadership orientations for women and men in developing a culture of peace

The video "Pacific Women in Transition" illustrated the changing roles of men and women in the Pacific and the obstacles that prevent their participation in the social, economic and political spheres of their country's development.

Panel discussions by Tonga, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Samoa discussed the following issues

in what areas are women disadvantaged
how do women accommodate the demands of work and family
what are the increasing economic demands on family resources
how do solo mothers resolve the conflict of work and family
what obstacles are hindering the development and participation of women in decision making
how have recent structural and development reforms impacted on women
how can traditional and modem roles be accommodated to result in partnership and harmony
what strategies will ensure that women gain access to resourcing that will enable them to share equally in the decision making and economic growth of their nations

Discussions provided the following strategies to be developed further by PPSEAWA country groups:

Mechanisms must be developed to address lack of opportunity and lack of access to money, land and inheritance
Obstacles to political representation must be addressed, and legal rights upheld
Different issues must be addressed as disadvantages may differ in communities.
Attitudes need changing in many communities for difficulties to be overcome and for women to breakdown barriers.
Women must actively support other women who aspire to a political career
In countries where CE DAW has not been ratified - women's groups must be active in lobbying governments
If the workplace is a hostile environment with sexual harassment or discrimination women must ensure they. support and take action
Support must be given to women as working mothers
A national development policy of gender equality and equity, and a programme of training to improve the quality of women participants in politics..
PPSEAWA and NGO's must put in place affirmative action programmes to support women in their endeavours
Childcare policy must be provided for women - Government creche in parliament, government assisted childcare/subsidy.
Gender sensitive awareness programmes, family planning programmes, value programme, and civics and citizenship programmes in schools starting at an early age.
Programmes introduced at all levels of society, primary to tertiary education and informal and formal learning
Collaboration and links with all groups in the community NGO's, government and business to support women
Discrimination in all areas must be addressed to give all women opportunity.

The Honorable Carole Mosley Braun, United States Ambassador to New Zealand plants a gardenis bush at the dedication of the Peace Garden. Ambassador Braun was the keynote speaker on the topic of Globalisation.

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000 - The New Environment

The human race is at the crossroads for survival. 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.

The address "New Environment" was delivered through a panel of speakers who gave their experiences, ideas and thoughts on the new environment. The areas covered were

Peace and Science in the Environment
Tradition within the Environment of Peace
The Region as the Environment of Peace

The objectives of the Tuesday session were:

Understanding the global environment
Identification of the positive and negative impacts of science on the environment
What is the role of global treaties in protecting our environment - what is the relationship between these treaties and globalisation?
Are global treaties working well for developing countries?
How can NGO's like PPSEAWA influence science in the Environment
What are some of the practical ways that science can be used to improve the environment now and in the future?
What traditional practices and knowledge benefit life
What traditional ethics should we recognise and foster for our continued survival
How can spirituality be in harmony with modern practices
How do we integrate modem life with tradition and how do we resolve conflict between both
What elements of traditional practices can we learn from
What should we be doing now to ensure traditional practices are preserved
To understand the negative impacts on the region that have been the result of past actions plant and animal life, population pressure, ozone depletion, pollution, civil war
How do regional actions impact on the global community
How can regional initiatives be developed to restore harmony within the region
Identify the pressures created by population growth and migration on the regional environment

Discussions provided the following strategies to be developed further by PPSEAWA country groups:

Identification of traditional leaders and other holders of traditional environmental knowledge.
Record oral traditions of myths, legends and genealogy of indigenous peoples.
Research publications, intellectual properties and copyright.

*special note: must be careful to not destroy the tradition of oral teachings through their recording. Oral traditions are as equally valid as any other kind of tradition.
Consult with traditional environmental knowledge holders.
Educate all generations on traditional practices and finding ways to integrate these practises into educational programmes
Use school curriculum in institutions to promote traditional practices
Use mass media avenues for educational purposes.
Use traditional culture to reinforce the tourist industry, and keep it strong, thereby making a place for culture to be nourished and cherished among a people
Culture and plant a tree days in school as well in towns and villages need to be formalised
Identify the authenticity of sources of knowledge
Review practices and laws of our ancestors regarding the environment, traditional spiritual knowledge should have value within its own culture with traditional teachers identified
Present to local governing bodies information about the importance of traditional practices and its links to environmental awareness.
Establish an environmental organisation with the government's commitment to ensuring its success.

Dr. Shirley Lim, keynote speaker on the subject of The New People, will serve as conference chair in Singapore in 2003.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2000- Interdependence and Globalism

The world is becoming a smaller place and we all have a role to play within it. How these roles are established and implemented will be important in the survival of each and every one of us.

National and political boundaries however are now crumbling in the wake of interdependence and globalisation. Rapid technological and economic changes are now breaking down the old order. How can mankind survive in this new order and what values and experiences do we need to survive in a planetary world.

The objectives of the Wednesday session were:

To understand the gains and benefits of globalisation
To understand what strategies need to be developed to ensure that all nations gain from the benefits of globalisation and are not marginalised from global change.
To understand the key challenges for all nations?
To understand that ethnic identity is a pre-requisite to national identity and interdependence.
To understand the linkages between sustainable development, natural resources, ethnic and cultural identity and sovereignty
To develop the role of NGO's like PPSEAWA to support strategies for harmony peace and goodwill among cultures and nations.
Identify key essential elements within a culture to ensure ethnic diversity is maintained, particularly in Asia and the Pacific.

The Video "Globalisation in the Pacific" illustrated important ideas on

Understanding how globalisation changes our values and the way we interact and communicate.
Understanding that people need global solutions to global problems to ensure survival.

Panel discussions were led by representatives from Thailand, Australia, Republic of China and Cook Islands. Discussion will highlighted examples and solutions that will prepare us for the future.

When survival and existence for most of us meant only food, clothing and shelter and simple means of using resources to live were the norm, the world and its boundaries was not considered. Groups of people lived as hunters and gatherers of food. Our world has been focussed on the survival of the individual within the family unit. National and political boundaries are, as we understand finish with our EEZ.

However, we know now that events in one part of the world can have a major and almost instantaneous effect on people on the other side of the world. Over the last few years interdependence has been increasing with the formation of the United Nations, global agencies and multinationals.

Discussions provided the following strategies to be developed further by PPSEAWA country groups
Develop a regional common approach to solving global problems.
Use the Internet and contact to understand developments around the world
Development of computer infrastructure is essential to meet the demands of globalisation
Globalisation must take into account traditional and cultural values
globalisation is complex but does not need to threaten diversity
global communities can look inwards but direction where do we want to go must be addressed
Globalisation is a function of creativity - technology is moving faster than we can absorb, where to get to is easier than addressing how therefore it is essential that we remain informed
Promote World Bank Rules of Conduct for global business to support elimination of child exploitation as well as money laundering

Ingeborg Briennes of UNESCO participated in the pre-conference workshop and was the keynote speaker for United Nations Day.

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000- Un Day and The Culture of Peace

The Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace has been adopted by the

General Assembly of the United Nations. UNESCO has also developed a Statement on Women's contribution to a Culture of Peace.

These international instruments provide the foundation for us to now move forward. They further give us the opportunity to demonstrate hew we can contribute to the programme of action and initiatives that we can develop to further the Culture of Peace activities in our own countries and worldwide.

The objectives of the Thursday session were:

To understand why a "Culture of Peace" is important.
To encourage a wider vision towards a need to foster a culture of peace as well as mobilising groups and individuals for change
To create a new vision for the future and eradicate that which is destructive to the survival of humanity and our environment
To understand the goals, ideals and strategies that comprise the movement from a culture of war and violence to a culture of peace and non-violence
To understand the shift from post conflict reconciliation to preventive, non-violent conflict resolution measures
To identify the role of women and their contribution to the culture of peace and will include identifying structural obstacles and best practises to overcome these.

The panellists from the Cook Islands and Samoa further developed the programmes that promote a culture of peace as well as demonstrating examples of what is working well in the Pacific.

Discussions provided the following strategies to be developed further by PPSEAWA country groups:

Parent Support

Recognize that parents are first teachers and therefore need to be educated in child development
Promote respect and responsibility within all spheres of society
Pre natal care and education for mothers
Encourage your children in all aspects of living
Assess the causes of what makes children disruptive
Parents need to communicate with their children often

Schools

Support parents to assist their children with school work
Parents should support PTA's and consult regularly with teachers
Schedule human rights and non violence programmes in all schools
Solicit help from police and others to do special programmes at school
Train peer mediators to help with conflict situations
Provide counselling to whom students can confidentially share problems
Music and art should be promoted in schools
Culture of Peace programme established within the education system
Teachers should be positive role models
Develop vocational education programmes
Teaching values is important at all levels

Community

Bringing outside role models for children to meet and learn from
Encourage children to escort you to PPSEAWA meetings to nurture their understanding in lending a helping hand for the greater good
Building bonds and bonding relationships to get children to develop a deeper respect for each other
Teach your children about other cultures to raise understanding and tolerance
Well trained teachers at primary and secondary school
Teach girls and boys to share duties
Provide a holistic approach to the school curriculum
Bringing outside role models for children to meet and learn from. Communication and Media
Encourage volunteerism at a young age. Go back to the community and help others
Open crisis centers in the community
Lobby for prison reforms
Establish commissions for non violence against women
Beware of the causes and take measures to reduce gang violence
Promote Music, Art, Sport, guides/scouts

Trinidad Hunt, keynote speaker, with Cook Islands children following the inspirational closing Peace Ceremony.

Friday, Nov. 17, 2000-Children as Teachers of Peace

People must be aware of their role as mothers, fathers, mentors and models in the process of guiding, supporting and nurturing our youth.

Planet Earth is a classroom and each of us is a student in the "Academy of Life". Children enter this world with heightened sensitivity. They come to learn and grow in the human experience. They carry with them and represent an enormous possibility for a new way of peace in our world.

Their potential as peacemakers requires a nourishing environment that it may grow and flourish. In order that our children become contributing members in our society, we must understand and accept our role in this process. Our youth must reach their full potential to contribute positively to society.

The objectives of the Friday session were:

Understand the importance of the parental role
Understand how virtues and values empower individuals and families to live to their highest value
Understand and learn how peer groups can be the vehicles of positive outcomes
Identify the roles and responsibilities of educators and community workers when working with young people
To offer an approach that enables people to live to their highest values
To explore mechanisms to achieve peaceful living

Discussions provided the following strategies to be developed further by PPSEAWA country groups:

Develop virtues programmes for the workplace as well as schools
Training workshops needed to educate parents for instilling values and virtues so that they provide role models to their children
Promote virtues and values as practiced in every day life
Be role models for our children
Challenge children to move from their comfort zone
Avoid discrimination of any kind
Provide an environment that is safe and secure
Give children unconditional love and time
Establish a positive attitude for learning in the home, school and community
Acknowledge what children do well but also establish boundaries
Reaffirm values and praise for what is done well
Praise and celebrate achievement
Listen to the voice of children

Last Modified: November 29, 2002