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Peace Education

Discussion in Geneva about Multiculturalism

Written by UPF - Switzerland

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Geneva, Switzerland - After a few guitar and piano pieces performed by Nicolas and Nathalie Komagata the August 27 meeting of Ambassadors for Peace started with personal introductions and expressions of opinion on the topic of multiculturalism and peace. Most people present had been confronted with multi­culturalism as they were either foreigners or had grown up in a bi‐cultural family. Therefore, all brought amazing contributions to the topic.

It was expressed that multiculturalism brings a wealth of new experiences and promotes progress, but at the same time it awakens conflicts and presents challenges to be overcome. The example of a homogeneous society like Japan, with few conflicts, was given; it has the disadvantage that everything that differs from the own culture is considered wrong and there is no basis for understanding differences. So, multiculturalism helps over­come narrow-mindedness and helps people become aware of new aspects of their own culture.

The discussion was followed by a presenta­tion by Chantal Komagata about the Universal Peace Federation. She emphasized that the root of problems lies in the individual. Every person is like a cultural sphere and needs to overcome his/her own limitations by establishing intercultural ties with other individuals. This will only work if all people are taught and live by the culture of heart, which is basically “living for the sake of others.” She said that is the only universal culture that can embrace all individual, familial, ethnic, religious, and national cultures.

Belgacem Hammami was appointed Ambassador for Peace. The discus­sion and its conclusions will form part of the basis for the dis­cussion at the UN headquarters in Geneva on September 23.

Four times a year, the Komagata family organizes an event for Ambassadors for Peace in order to expand the network of Ambassadors for Peace. The topic is chosen beforehand and communicated to the network of Ambassadors for Peace about one month in advance, inviting those who are interested in it to attend and contribute their thoughts.

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