The Commission on Human Rights,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 50/173 of 22 December 1995 and 51/101 of 12 December 1996 on a culture of peace and resolution 51/104 of 12 December 1996 on the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education and public information activities in the field of human rights,

Reaffirming that, since war begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defence of peace must be constructed,

Taking into account that a culture of peace actively fosters non­violence and respect for human rights, strengthens solidarity among peoples and dialogue between cultures, and promotes democratic participation and the right to development of women and men on an equal footing,

Considering that a culture of peace is a process of integral transformation and institutional development that has its roots in social interaction and tolerance, and which expresses itself through the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, peaceful cohabitation and cooperation among peoples,

Recognizing that culture is an integral whole and a basis for the intellectual development of all human beings, affirms the need for access, on an equal basis, by children, men and women, including the elderly, to the science of knowledge, in particular to an education for peace, to the enjoyment of the beautiful legacy of mankind, for the full development of individuals as human beings,

Underlining the need to develop, at the dawn of the new millennium, preventive policies for the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including through encouraging all human beings to adopt a culture of peace,

Noting that, in its resolution 52/13 of 20 November 1997, the General Assembly requested the Secretary­General, in coordination with the Director­General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to present a consolidated report containing a draft declaration and programme of action on a culture of peace to the Assembly at its fifty­third session,

1. Welcomes General Assembly resolution 52/13 entitled "Culture of peace";

2. Also welcomes General Assembly resolution 52/15 of 20 November 1997, in which the Assembly proclaimed the year 2000 the International Year for the Culture of Peace;

3. Urges States to promote a culture of peace based on the principles established in the Charter of the United Nations, respect for human rights, democracy, education for peace, promotion of sustainable development and the wider participation of women as an integral approach to preventing violence in its diverse manifestations;

4. Decides to consider the question of a culture of peace at its fifty­fifth session under the same agenda item.

52nd meeting
17 April 1998

[Adopted without a vote. See chap. IX.]