Page 308 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

tolerance is instilled into the behaviour of each individual. This is in full
conformity with the goal for the "Peoples of the United Nations" proclaimed in
the UN Charter "...to practice tolerance and live together in peace as good
neighbours".

Particular attention should be paid to tolerance with regard to cultural dif-
ferences. More than that, what is needed is respect for other cultures rather
than clashes between them. Mutual enrichment and a veritable partnership of
cultures instead of annihilation. "Unity through diversity" must be the corner-
stone of the culture of peace.

A culture of peace also demands a new humanitarian approach to all
aspects of activity. Next year, the 50th Anniversary of the Geneva Conventions
on international humanitarian law opens up a tremendous opportunity to
further promote the noble ideas of humanitarism.

It is evident that tolerance, human rights, democracy and peace are inter-
related. Without tolerance. the foundations for democracy and respect for
human rights cannot be strengthened, and the achievement of peace will
remain elusive.

The advancement of the culture of peace through tolerance, is a difficult
task because the antithesis - the culture of violence, war and extremism - is still
present. In order that the culture of peace not become a new utopia - but
instead a programme of actions - public mobilization is crucial. The universal
rejection of violence and the acceptance of a culture of peace must be affected
by society as a whole. All of us must work consistently, day in and day out, to
change our outlook, to educate our children with values of tolerance and
dialogue, to replace the logic of violence with the logic of reason. In other
words, the dialogue should overcome the basic instincts of the struggle for
survival, which Charles Darwin articulated.

Switzerland. as a long-standing stable, multi-cultural, democratic society is
an exemplary model of the practical embodiment of the culture of peace. We at
the United Nations highly appreciate the fact that Switzerland, while not a full
Member State of the UN, provides substantial support to UN programmes
directed to the promotion of peace, development and democracy. Switzerland
is in fact the UN's fifth per capita contributor to these programmes and
through its contributions vividly demonstrates that we jointly share the same
objectives in our rapidly changing world.

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