As members of the Plymouth State University community, committed to engaging in partnerships at the local, national, and international level, we have come together to promote a culture of peace in higher education.

UN Resolution (53/25) in 1998 proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. In 1999, the UN passed another Resolution (53/243) titled “Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace”. A specific resolution was made pertaining to the role of higher education:

(h) Expand initiatives to promote a culture of peace undertaken by institutions of higher education in various parts of the world, including the United Nations University, the University for Peace and the project for twinning universities and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Chairs Programme.

Eight action areas were developed as follows:

1. Fostering a culture of peace through education
2. Promoting sustainable economic and social development
3. Promoting respect for all human rights
4. Ensuring equality between women and men
5. Fostering democratic participation
6. Advancing understanding, tolerance and solidarity
7. Supporting participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge
8. Promoting international peace and security