NEW YORK | The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Reconciliation (A/61/L.22) to recognize that ‘reconciliation processes are particularly necessary and urgent in countries and regions of the world which have suffered, or are suffering, situations of conflict that have affected and divided societies in their various internal, national and international facets.’ This resolution invites international and non-governmental organizations as well as governments to support reconciliation processes among divided societies. It also asks them to plan and implement adequate cultural, educational and social programmes to promote the concept of reconciliation including holding seminars and conferences in order to disseminate information on this issue.
On January 22, Janet Wallach, Seeds of Peace President Emeritus, was honored to take part in a panel discussion at the UN along with UNICEF and the Hand-in-Hand organization, to discuss the importance of bringing people from opposite sides of the conflict together to engage in meaningful dialogue as a way to break down cultural and historical barriers of prejudice, fear and mistrust.