Peacebuilding

Michael Johnson at the United Nations in New York City.

Michael Johnson is a seasoned peace builder who draws on his many years as a meditator and a yoga practitioner for inspiration and inner tranquility. He is a representative at the United Nations for the NGO, Pathways To Peace, and helps to coordinate the Culture of Peace Initiative, a global network of active Peace Organizations. The major focus of this initiative is the worldwide expansion of the International Day of Peace, observed annually on Sept. 21.

Michael inspires people to take positive actions for peace on a variety of social, spiritual and environmental issues through his writing, personal coaching, public speaking, documentaries and community events. He has been interviewed on BBC World News, CNN World News, National Public Radio and many other local media outlets.

What is Peacebuilding?
Peacebuilding is different from “peacemaking” and “peacekeeping” in that it focuses on creating a long-term culture of peace, rather than solving existing conflicts or preventing old ones from re-occurring. Peacebuilding activities aim at building understanding and tolerance between individuals, communities and societies and establishing new structures of cooperation. Peacebuilding activities range in scale from personal acts of kindness toward others to global inter-governmental programs.

“Peacebuilding is the construction of new environments and new cultures which transform deficient structures and capabilities which unite the strengths of emerging innovations in all pathways of our local-global planetary life. Peacebuilding creates and maintains beneficial conditions for sustainable (life-enhancing) social, economic, political and spiritual development of all peoples.” (Adapted from speech given at UN by PTP and “An Agenda for Peace”, a UN Report of the Secretary-General, 1992)

“Unlike peace-making and peace-keeping, which are related to warfare and settlement of conflicts, ‘…the concept of peace-building (is) the construction of a new environment — the transformation of deficient national structures and capabilities, and — the strengthening of new democratic institutions.’” (Excerpted from “An Agenda for Peace”, a UN Report of the Secretary-General in January 1992, which globally and officially recognized the emerging field of peacebuilding.)

“We need to build not only geographical but spiritual bridges between people and strengthen the intellectual, cultural and communication linkages between our societies. (Let us) stand ready to participate in the effort to promote social integration and create a culture of peace.” (From UNESCO PRESS Report at World Summit for Social Development by Director-General UNESCO, Frederico Mayor)

“Where there is peace, there is culture; where there is culture, there is peace.” (Nicholas Roerich)

“Positive creativeness is the fundamental quality of the human spirit. Let us welcome all those who, surmounting personal difficulties, — propel their spirits to the task of peaceBuilding, thus ensuring a radiant future.” (Nicholas Roerich)

Peacebuilding Resources

Pathways to Peace
Culture of Peace Initiative
International Day of Peace
United Nations Spiritual Caucus