The main objective of UNESCO is to facilitate peace and security in various parts of the world especially in Africa. It has initiated programs that promote collaborations among African nations and cultures through education, communication and science. This is designed to ensure universal rule of law and respect of justice and human rights. It also aims to eliminate discriminations through gender, language, religion and race in Africa.

nCulture of Peace and Non-violence

nUNESCO has started culture of peace and non-violence initiative in Africa. This facilitates commitment to peace building, resolution, mediation, peace education, tolerance and mutual respect. In addition, the initiative aims to promote conflict prevention and resolution, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, acceptance and reconciliation.

nThis normative and conceptual framework inspires thoughts and actions of Africans. In this respect, it demands for cognitive and emotional ability to deal with emerging issues and rapidly changing world. The initiative aims to broaden the consciousness and willingness to establish new awareness and new way of living with fellow Africans. Building a peaceful culture among Africans requires initiatives that encourage people with different cultures, language and religion to live together. In addition, the programs encourage universal respect for justice and human rights, which are the foundations of coexistence in Africa.

nThe new program promotes the culture of peace and non-violence at regional, local, global and national levels. The aims of the program are to facilitate fundamental principles of peace that are mutually shared by different cultures. This is enabled by genuine dialogue and mainstreaming of public policies. Secondly, the programs aim to achieve everyday peace that is conceived by daily living experience both in period of crime and in ordinary periods. The program also aims to reduce tension between cultures since it uses education to create awareness to people.

nApproaches

nThe programs use two crucial approaches. First, to rethink about the advantages of cultural diversity that ensures continuous benefits between various African cultures. Secondly, to encourage the idea of learning that enables peaceful coexistence and facilitates the art of unity-in-diversity among Africans.

nGoals

nThe program pursues three fundamental goals in promoting peace through culture. First is to develop a new conceptual, political, programmatic and conceptual approach with regard to robust commitment by civil and state society to promote every day peace. This should involve women and youth by engagement is social media and ICTs. Secondly, the program goal is to enhance the understanding of Africans and eliminate false ideas. This is achieved by emphasis on the future of humanistic desires on shared values. Thirdly, is to encourage African movement in favor of practices and ideals of a culture of non-violence and peace. This enables the engagement of the youth in democratic and society activities. For instance, these goals aim to establish hubs of peace in African societies.