Dear Friends,

I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year 2004.

Peaceful?  Not so easy!

How does one follow up the mobilization of 75 million people for the International Year for the Culture of Peace? Taking advantage of the Internet, I have put documents like the history of culture of peace on my personal site. I am pleased to say that there were over 58,000 substantial visitors to the site in 2003 (i.e. individuals reading more than one page).

But that's so little in comparison to the enormous reach of the mass media which, for the most part, feeds into the dominant culture of war (I consider CNN to stand for the culture of war news network). When I was at UNESCO I proposed that we need the equivalent of CNN, but promoting peace.  Hence the origin of CPNN (the culture of peace news network).

I remain convinced that this is a good idea that can promote the transition from a culture of war to a culture of peace.  And the UN General Assembly agrees.  Its most recent resolution on a culture of peace, adopted November 10, 2003, continues to call for "expansion of the Culture of Peace News Network as a global network of Internet sites in many languages."

Now, on the first anniversary of CPNN-USA.ORG, I see that this is not easy to implement.  

We need a change in people's attitudes and behaviors if CPNN is to succeed.  Instead of considering the news as something that one receives passively from above, like manna from heaven, we must begin to consider the news as something that we create.

If you share this vision, please help develop CPNN in your country or region.

There are CPNN sites in Australia and Japan, but they need more input from you if you live in those countries.  During 2003 I have been in touch with people interested in establishing CPNN sites in Brazil, Canada, UK, France and Cyprus in relation to UNESCO National Commissions or field offices for those countries, but we need more people involved if we are to ensure successful programs there.

If you come from yet another country and are interested, please tell me and I will help explore the possibilities with you.  

In addition to establishing CPNN sites for particular countries, it is also possible to establish a CPNN site that is managed on an international basis by a particular international NGO or consortium of NGOs with status at the United Nations.

Looking forward to hearing from you and working with you for peace in the New Year.

David Adams
adams1peace@aol.com