Paris, September 18 {No.2000 - 89}- More than 50 million people have already signed the Manifesto 2000 for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence, launched by UNESCO and several Nobel Peace Laureates in March 1999. The signature campaign for the Manifesto 2000 will continue at least until the end of the year 2000, which the United Nations has declared the International Year for the Culture of Peace.

The Manifesto 2000 is not a petition, but a commitment by each person who signs it to follow the six principles of a culture of peace in his or her daily life, family, work and community: respect all life, reject violence, share with others, listen to understand, preserve the planet and rediscover solidarity. These principles correspond closely to the six values adopted recently in the final Declaration at the Millennium Summit: freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and shared responsibility.

Commenting on the huge number of signatures, UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura said: "It is a sign of hope that decision-makers, gathered at the Millennium Summit, and civil society, represented by the millions of signatories of the Manifesto 2000, share the same commitment. For peace cannot be brought about by decree. Whilst political, economic or military settlements are necessary to establishing peace, they are not enough. Each individual must uphold the commitment in practice, in his or her daily life, through the simplest of acts. I am delighted to see that the world movement for a culture of peace is gathering momentum. During the International Decade for the Promotion of a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World, we will increase our efforts so that it triumphs."

The signature campaign for the Manifesto 2000 has already engaged more than 1,400 partners from civil society. Actions run across a wide spectrum and include school initiatives, exhibitions, concerts, sporting events, conferences, publications and Internet websites. National focal points in each country, usually the National Commission for UNESCO, are responsible for co-ordinating these actions. National campaigns have been particularly effective in India (24.8 million signatures), Colombia (11.7) and Brazil (5.9), the Republic of Korea (1.6), Japan (1), Nepal (0.9), Algeria (0.7), Italy (0.4) and Azerbaijan (0.4).

Teachers have taken the lead in this campaign. In many countries they have made the values of the Manifesto 2000 the subject of courses in their schools. A special kit for teachers has been prepared by Education International, which has 23 million members in teachers unions around the world. Universities have also contributed to the signature campaign in Brazil, Azerbaijan, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Jamaica. Local communities and cities have been especially active in many countries, including France, Venezuela, Spain, Costa Rica and Brazil.

Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have contributed to the signature campaign. They include the Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University in India and Nepal, the World Confederation of Teachers, most notably in South Africa, the Jubillenium and Dhammakaya Foundation in Thailand, Pax Christi International, in particular in the Netherlands, and the Peace Boat initiative, which has collected signatures during its voyages around the world. In addition to signature collection by NGOs, schools, universities and national campaigns, 2682 individuals have volunteered to be "messengers of the Manifesto 2000" to gather signatures in their communities. Sixteen Nobel Peace Laureates as well as 38 heads of State have also signed.

Delegations of children and youth representing Brazil, India, Colombia, France and Algeria will make a symbolic presentation tomorrow - the International Day of Peace - to the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Harri Holkeri, of the signatures gathered for the Manifesto 2000 for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence. A number of public figures are expected to take part in the ceremony at United Nations Headquarters in New York. They include Nane Annan, wife of the Secretary-General, Nohora Puyana de Pastrana, the First Lady of Colombia, Ambassadors Abdallah Baali (Algeria), Anwarul Karim Chowdhury (Bangladesh), Kamalesh Sharma (India) and Anthony Garotinho, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

For further information: http://www.unesco.org/iycp