UNESCO’s perspective on peace, peacebuilding and Health

Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of menthat the defenses of peace must be built. Many of you will befamiliar with this statement from the preamble of UNESCO’sconstitution. UNESCO was founded immediately after theSecond World War in direct response to the experience ofunprecedented conflict and violence. This statement from theconstitution attests to the fact that building a culture of peace isindeed the raison d’être of UNESCO. Since 1946, when itsconstitution came into force, Member States have come togetherin UNESCO to build peace in the minds of men and women.The mandate to build peace and promote the intellectual andmoral solidarity of mankind , to cite another phrase coined by thefounders of UNESCO, is certainly today as relevant as it was 72years ago. We are still faced with violence, armed conflict,intolerance, and xenophobia in many parts of the world.UNESCO promotes a culture of peace first and foremost byfacilitating international cooperation in education, the sciences,culture and communication – to bring us closer together, buildtrust and understanding through dialogue.One of the many examples from UNESCO’s programs is theWorld Heritage Convention, one of UNESCO’s flagships. TheConvention establishes a platform with clear standards andprocesses for countries to come together and jointly designatecultural and natural heritage sites of universal significance. In sodoing, it promotes an ethos not only of heritage protection, but ofvaluing and cherishing something beyond national and culturalboundaries.