Seeds of Peace

Charter of Uprooting Hatred & Terror

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Overview

The following are excerpts from the Charter on Uprooting Hatred and Terror agreed to by youth delegations from twenty-two countries. (For the full version of the charter, please click here) We, Seeds of Peace, young people representing 22 war-ravaged nations, hereby declare that we are tired of hatred, violence and terror…The sight of humanity reduced to rubble on September 11 served as a terrible reminder of the tragedies we have witnessed in our lives. In the wake of so many tragedies, we have come together to search for enduring solutions to hatred, terror and violence. Do not dismiss this as youthful idealism. Many of us live in places where killing and humiliation, poverty and homeless refugees are commonplace. We are surrounded by an atmosphere of hatred created by unjust realities. At Seeds of Peace, we have experienced real equality, unity, understanding & joy. Having faced this stark contrast, we now refuse to accept what is when we know what can be, if we truly implement these principles in our homes and our hearts. We refuse to be victims. We now it is possible to redirect human passions, even calls for revenge, toward the positive goal of creating peace. We were raised in societies which taught us to hate each other. Despite that, we have united here to fight together for a better future for us all, in the name of the dead and the generations to come. In succeeding here, we prove to ourselves and our governments that a solution exists and peace is not impossible. The Charter on Uprooting Hatred and Terror had this to say about the following factors that contribute to hatred and terror: Education: The absence of education often leads people to resort to terrorism…In order to uproot hatred, violence and terror, we feel it is imperative that our textbooks be rewritten in a neutral manner. That the content be presented in unbiased language and the facts be accurate, and that we have the exposure and opportunity to evaluate a variety of sources of information. Economic Disparity: All people are responsible for each other. Therefore, we call on all countries to join in a global effort to minimize the economic disparities within human society. It is our duty, as well as privilege, as citizens of the world, to cooperate in order to bring prosperity to each other. Media: Only a free and independent media with integrity and humanity can assure the credibility and efficiency of this institution and show a fair and truthful picture of this world. Pop Culture: The producer, distributors, and marketers of the global pop culture mainstream often leave out the voice of the third world. This can cause a sense in the citizens of the third world that their culture is on the verge of destruction. This also causes a separation between the two cultures, as the third world feels rejected and shunned. The citizens of the third world therefore often feel the need to defend their culture and to retrieve their pride, even violently. Principles of Governing: Every individual has a right to be represented in the government through a fair elective system. Representation is the path to fulfill the people's personal and collective needs. If a government lacks…integrity, the ability to eliminate corruption, representatives who are qualified by having knowledge of governmental systems, an understanding of the people's needs, the ability to listen and translate ideas into actions…and accountability…[it will lead to] frustration and anger which are likely to build up and erupt into violence. Religion: Clergymen are significant, because they effect billions of people, especially those in whose lives religion plays a great role. Clergy should promote tolerance, peace and respect for all social groups through holy texts and in other ways…Clergy should spread constructive religious education that does not restrict the freedom of others, in order to prevent manipulation and misinterpretation. Safety and Security: Every human being has the inherent right to feel secure and safe without the fear of discrimination…Hatred is the root of violence, and introduces fear into communities. As soon as the seeds of hatred get into the hearts of thousands, the safety and security of people is threatened by uncontrollable acts of violence from the powerful majority.

Participating Delegations: