Building a Culture of Peace in a World of Conflicts

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is going through a very difficult time and torn by conflicts raging in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. In Eastern Europe, there are tensions between USA, NATO and Russia which threatens peace in the region. As a result, militarism is on the increase and military expenditure is at all time high - $1.76 trillion. At the same time, 62 rich people in the world have as much wealth as 3.5 billion people, increasing inequality and lack of opportunity. With so much violence, turmoil and chaos around the world, there is a worldwide desire for peace which has never been achieved besides the efforts of the peace movements, NGO's worldwide who are challenging the governments to engage in dialogue and constructive engagement rather than military confrontation.

The keynote speaker of the 2016 Annual Erskine Childers Lecture is Federico Mayor Zaragoza, Former Director-General of UNESCO and the title of his talk is "Building a Culture of Peace in a World of Conflicts" The lecture will focus on how can we end violence and wars and establish Culture of Peace and an equitable international order. After the lecture there will be opportunity for the audience to have interactive Q&A session.

"Now, we have to go forward in the giant undertaking of building democratic United Nations to make the real world safe, just and sustainable for all its children" - Erskine B. Childers


FREE public meeting - Donations welcome