In the Netherlands, the Peace Palace is home to the international court of justice the permanent court of arbitration and The Hague Academy of International Law. Some cities have great icons of peace, but all cities and communities have a legacy of peace building that needs to be recognized and honored.
{ A note just for a more exacting word clarity, feel if this definition may reflect You witness still today. Let’s begin with the definition of “citizen” which in tracking has connotation relating to :
“fealty” ~ In Fuedal law; Fidelity; allegiance to the feudal lord of the manor; the feudal obligation resting upon the tenant or vassal by which he was bound to be faithful and true to his lord, and render him obedience and service. ~ Black’s Law Dictionary, 4th edition with Guide to Pronunciation, 1951, Original copyright 1891.
Does this seem/feel/sound like any folks/situations You know.
It does not surprise me that the words: “people” & “person” have been twisted over the many decades far from the common humans usage; and the word “being’, and even the word”human”. do not even occur in Blacks Law. ;>)
Be alert to the words You read and choose to express and/or follow. ~ L’iv }
An Association of Cities of Peace
International Cities of Peace is an association of citizens, (humans}, governments, and organizations who have by proclamation, resolution, or by citizen (human}, advocacy established their communities as official Cities of Peace. Every community has a legacy of peace, whether it is by a historical event or by a local peace heroes or group who has contributed to their citizenry’s (humanity}, safety, prosperity and quality of life.
The Idea of Cities of Peace
According to the only scholarly paper to date on Cities of Peace, “Idee und Geschichte der neuzeitlichen Friedensstadt,” written by scholar Peter van den Dungen,
the following are major categories for consideration as Cities of Peace.
Though many Cities of Peace are now being established by resolution or proclamation, or even through a community action campaign, this document shows that the City of Peace movement has deep roots. Published only in German, the following is a rough translation of Peter’s typology.
{ For the full website see: http://www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org/ }
1. Cities where a particular war has been successfully concluded (through a peace treaty). Such cities may or may not officially declare themselves, then or later, a City of Peace. It may be the city itself, or its inhabitants, who initiate this process. Examples: Münster, Osnabrück, Dayton.
2. Cities which are the seats of international institutions which are significant for the maintenance of world peace. The city authorities in The Hague have declared their city a City of Peace, justice etc., but in Geneva (so far) such a denomination has been bestowed by citizens (human}, groups (only). Examples: Geneva, Den Haag.
3. Cities where important peace prizes are awarded/places where peace is being celebrated and honoured. Oslo is really the main city in this category, with a long and famous tradition because of the Nobel peace prize. Examples: Oslo, Frankfurt/M., Aachen. {Although we must be aware that in instances the Nobel Peace awards sometimes are given to humans who take us into more wars! So, do not believe all You are told.}
4. Cities which, having been destroyed in war, have used this tragedy to dedicate themselves to work for peace, with the focus being on either
– warning against nuclear weapons
– reconciliation
– tolerance and multicultural living
This is the largest category of peace cities. Examples: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Osaka, Coventry, Gernika-Lumo, Ypern, Antwerpen.
5. Cities which have 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. This is to do with the nature, and construction, of historical memory. Traditionally, war heroes are remembered, but slowly the notion of peace heroes is making headway, and cities are rediscovering their peace history and tradition. Examples: Rotterdam (Erasmus), Atlanta (Martin Luther King, Jr.).
6. Cities where important peace institutions once existed, or which once hosted important peace conferences, and which are rediscovering their peace past, and now want to remember this and build on it (similar to 5). Example: Luzern.
7. Cities where important peace research or peace training institutions have been created (and which have not been significantly affected by wars or conflict). Examples: Stadtschlaining, Bradford.
8. Cities which have joined one or more important international peace organisations, and which are playing a significant role in them (these cities have not been significantly affected by wars or conflict). Example: Manchester.
9. Cities of practical peacemaking, in ethnically diverse and polarised environments. Examples: Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam, Philadelphia.
10. Cities which have given their name to important peace documents of one kind or another, but which up to now have not (yet) taken any initiative to build on this and become self-consciously a peace city (even though their name is associated with peace). Examples: Pugwash, Dartmouth, Göttingen, Talloires, Krefeld, Sevilla, Mohonk.
Please note that ‘cities’ occasionally also refers to villages, or more generally ‘places’. Stadtschlaining (7), Neve-Shalom (9), or Pugwash (10) are villages.
With permission of:
Dr. Peter van den Dungen
University of Bradford
Idee und Geschichte der neuzeitlichen Friedensstadt. Skizze einer Typologie
Please also see the “Oxford Encyclopedia of Peace: Four Volume Set,” edited by Nigel Young with articles by Peter vanden Dungen. It’s available from the publisher as well as Amazon.com.
contact: info@internationalcitiesofpeace.org
blog.liveloveandprosper.org 