APPEAL OF THE NOBEL PEACE LAUREATES

From: Nobel Peace Laureates To: Heads of States of all member countries of the General Assembly of the United Nations

FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

"Today, in every single country throughout the world, there are many children silently suffering the effects and consequences of violence.

"This violence takes many different forms: between children on streets, at school, in family life and in the community. There is a physical violence, psychological violence, socio-economic violence, environmental violence and political violence. Many children – too many children - live a 'culture of violence.'

"We wish to contribute to reduce their suffering. We believe that each child can discover, by himself, that violence is not inevitable. We can offer hope, not only to the children of the world, but to all of humanity, by beginning to create, and build, a new Culture of Non-Violence.

"For this reason, we address this solemn appeal to all Heads of States, of all member countries of the General Assembly of the United Nations, for the UN General Assembly to declare:

"That the first decade of the new millennium, the years 2000-2010, be declared the 'Decade for a Culture of Non-Violence';

"That at the start of the decade the year 2000 be declared the 'Year of Education for Non-Violence'

"That nonviolence be taught at every level in our societies during this decade, to make the children of the world aware of the real, practical meaning and benefits of non-violence in their daily lives, in order to reduce the violence, and consequent suffering, perpetrated against them and humanity in general.

"Together, we can build a new culture of nonviolence for humankind which will give hope to all humanity, and in particular, to the children of the world.

"With deepest respect,