International Cities of Peace
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 The volunteers of International Cities of Peace central organization, 2024 | |
| Parent institution | Cities of Peace, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | J. Frederick Arment |
| Established | 8 April 2009 at Dayton, Ohio, United States |
| Focus | Community culture, peacebuilding, consensus values of peace |
| Chair | J. Frederick Arment |
| Website | http://www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org |
| Type: international NGO | |
International Cities of Peace (ICP) is a global association of cities of peace dedicated to developing and implementing programs that foster a community culture of peace.
International Cities of Peace is the main program of Cities of Peace, Inc., a nonprofit non-governmental organization (NGO) based in the United States. In 2017, the association achieved Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
Established in 2009, the association of International Cities of Peace has members in over 400 communities in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South and Central America, and Oceania. Each member of the International Cities of Peace network is self-organized either by government proclamation, resolution, or a community leadership team.
Whether established by community government proclamation or resolution, or by an inter-community initiative, each city of peace is a signatory of a letter of intent that includes the United Nations Culture of Peace Resolution,[1][2] which addresses a Culture of Peace, as defined by that Resolution. The association of International Cities of Peace defines peace as safety, prosperity and quality of life.
History
[edit]International City of Peace originated in 2009 when J. Frederick Arment[3] envisioned a global network of cities of peace. A city of peace is an ancient archetype that captures a universal ideal of a community of and at peace. The first city to be recognized as an International City of Peace was Dayton, Ohio in 2010, in a proclamation written by J. Frederick Arment and signed by then-Mayor Gary Leitzell.[4] The network has since expanded to include over 400 civic municipalities worldwide. Each City of Peace agrees to be a signatory to the tenets of the U.N. Culture of Peace Resolution.
Founding and early years
[edit]The founding principles of the International Cities of Peace were established to create a global network dedicated to peace. The early goals included promoting peacebuilding initiatives and encouraging cities to adopt proactive steps in fostering harmony.
Significant events include the first City of Peace Summit, held at the Dayton International Peace Museum in 2006. The accompanying map shows annual growth.
The City of Peace concept
[edit]According to the only scholarly paper to date on Cities of Peace, "Idee und Geschichte der neuzeitlichen Friedensstadt",[5] written by scholar Peter Vanden Dungen, the following are major categories for consideration as Cities of Peace. Though many Cities of Peace are now being established by resolution, proclamation, or a community action campaign, this listing shows that the City of Peace ideal has deep roots. Published only in German, the following is a rough translation of Vanden Dungen's typology.
- Cities where a particular war has been successfully concluded (through a peace treaty).
- Cities which are the seats of international institutions which are significant for the maintenance of world peace.
- Cities where important peace prizes are awarded/places where peace is being celebrated and honored.
- Cities that, having been destroyed in war, have used this tragedy to dedicate themselves to work for peace.
- Cities that have been rediscovered and now are reconnecting with historical impulses from the past, especially the remembrance of a prominent historical figure born in (or associated with) the city, and who was a great peace advocate.
- Cities where important peace institutions once existed, or which once hosted important peace conferences.
- Cities where important peace research or peace training institutions have been created.
- Cities that have joined one or more important international peace organizations, and which are playing a significant role in them.
- Cities of practical peacemaking, in ethnically diverse and polarized environments.
- Cities that have given their name to important peace documents.
Organizational structure
[edit]The International City of Peace is governed by a board of directors[6] of Cities of Peace, Inc., and is supported by a global network of facilitators, volunteers, and an advisory council. The organization operates regionally through continental coordinators.
Leadership Council
[edit]The Leadership Council of International Cities of Peace[7] consists of over 400 liaisons in over 75 countries on all six continents. They provide community leadership and communications between their communities and the association of International Cities of Peace. Each liaison leads a team dedicated to establishing goals and objectives for fostering community peace.
Peacebuilding projects
[edit]- City-to-City Program: Collaborative projects involve multiple cities working together on peacebuilding efforts, which are detailed in over 400 City of Peace profiles on the organization's member listings.
- Notable projects include the Aalborg, Denmark's[8] work in the Nakivale refugee settlement in Uganda, which successfully engaged over ten Cities of peace in a vision of the first refugee city of Peace project.
- In Nanjing, China, which established an International City of Peace in 2017, major initiatives in peace studies, developed by the UNESCO Chair of Peace Studies in China, have expanded peace literacy and peace studies programs in four other megacities in China.
Recognition
[edit]Members of International Cities of Peace are awarded this status based on their dedication to peace and their efforts and vision for fostering a culture of peace.
Examples of recognized cities include Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, known for its progress in moving from violence to peace, and Buenos Aires, Argentina where the Milenios de Paz[9] network has engaged over 40 Cities of Peace in communities throughout South America.
Impact and global reach
[edit]International City of Peace has made a significant impact on the global peace movement, with a growing number of cities joining the network.
- The network includes over 400 communities across six continents, reflecting the organization's broad influence and global reach.
- Examples of successful outcomes include Dayton, Ohio, where peace initiatives have led to increased community cohesion; Nanjing, China, where the association has helped in expanding peace studies programs in China; and Lagos, Nigeria, where a mediation program has been implemented to reduce conflict in Nigeria and other African countries.
Challenges and criticism
[edit]When the organization was founded, the main question from the public was, "What do you mean by peace?" The association defined peace as the Consensus Values of Peace: Safety, Prosperity, and Quality of Life [10] for all in the community.
The association of International Cities of Peace, and its parent organization, Cities of Peace, inc., faces challenges presented by global sanctions policies. The association receives membership applications from municipalities in countries under sanctions by the United States, the European Union, and others. Cities of Peace, Inc. has put in place membership policies to ensure compliance with global sanctions.
References
[edit]- ^ A/RES/52/13
- ^ Director-General submission, Executive Board at its 154th Session, Resolution 52/13. Preliminary Consolidated Report to the United Nations on a Culture of Peace. UNESCO Digital Library. August 11, 1998.
- ^ J. Frederick Arment
- ^ Dayton, Ohio City Council. Office of the Mayor. City of Peace Day Proclamation. September 21, 2010.
- ^ Vanden Dungen, Peter. Idea and History of the Modern Peace City - Sketch of a Typology. Reiner Steinweg & Alexandra Tschesche, eds., Kommunale Friedensarbeit: Begruendung, Formen, Beispiele. 2009.
- ^ https://www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org/about/board/. Accessed Oct. 11, 2024.
- ^ https://www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org/city-liaisons/ Accessed Oct. 10, 2024.
- ^ Aalborg, Denmark's
- ^ Mil Milenios de Paz
- ^ Safety, prosperity, and quality of life: The Consensus Value sof Peace. Licensed under Creative Commons 4.0.
Media references
[edit]- The Westerly Sun. Being a Citizen of an International City of Peace. By Frank Thacker. Published Nov. 17, 2022, Updated June 5, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024. https://www.thewesterlysun.com/opinion/guest-columns/guest-opinion-being-a-citizen-of-an-international-city-of-peace/article_f6927b5a-66e6-11ed-8853-bb4fb32e204b.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
- The Westerly Sun. Why become an International City of Peace? By Frank Thacker. Published Oct 13, 2022 Updated Jun 5, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024. https://www.thewesterlysun.com/opinion/guest-columns/guest-opinion-why-become-an-international-city-of-peace/article_7f74f3c4-4b55-11ed-8c58-1fe824fdc363.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share
- Ashland.News. Ties between Ashland and Ukraine grow closer with new sister-city relationship. “Ashland signed on as an International City of Peace years ago.” — Mayor Graham. By Holly Dillemuth. Published June 23, 2023. Accessed August 12, 2022. https://ashland.news/ties-between-ashland-and-ukraine-grow-closer-with-new-sister-city-relationship/
- Midland, Michigan. 3rd Annual Celebration of Midland, Michigan as a City of Peace
- Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland. BBC News
- Belfast Live
- Irish Central
- Irish Star
- Derry Now: https://www.derrynow.com/news/local-news/1304205/derry-declared-an-international-city-of-peace.html
- iTVx: https://www.itv.com/news/utv/2023-09-21/londonderry-declared-first-city-of-peace-on-island-of-ireland
- Derry Journal: https://www.derryjournal.com/news/people/derry-to-join-international-cities-of-peace-network-4164377
- China Daily: http://ex.chinadaily.com.cn/exchange/partners/82/rss/channel/cn/columns/j3u3t6/stories/WS65be13b6a31026469ab175a0.html
- People’s Daily Online: http://app.people.cn/h5/detail/normal/5656674790196224
- New Horizon (China, Japan, and South Korea)
- In Weifang, a special issue of peace city: https://book.yunzhan365.com/dlyu/npqi/mobile/index.html
Publication references
[edit]- Kurtz, L.R. (Ed.). International Peaceful Cities Series: 10 volumes in the first series. Peace Studies of Asian Countries. 2022.
- Encyclopedia of Violence, Peace, and Conflict, vol. 1. Elsevier, Academic Press, pp. 130–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820195-4.00183-7. ISBN: 9780128201954. Copyright: 2022 Elsevier Inc.
- Vanden Dungen, Peter. Idea and History of the Modern Peace City - Sketch of a Typology. Reiner Steinweg & Alexandra Tschesche, eds., Kommunale Friedensarbeit: Begruendung, Formen, Beispiele. 2009.