Today, Wednesday 21 September, is International Day of Peace. Caritas Australia’s aid and development work is shaped by the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), and these principles provide a moral framework which we live by – one being Promotion of Peace.
Peace is more than the absence of war. It is an action-oriented concept implying ‘right relationships’. Caritas Australia views peace as the fruit of justice, dependent upon right order among humankind, and promotes this concept of peace in our work.
Over the years, Caritas Australia has been implementing non-violence programs to promote peaceful communities around the world; in countries such as Kenya, Peru and Indonesia. Our programs are for people of all ages, and our aim is for communities to live in harmony and with mutual respect for one another.
Peacebuilding Programs
In South Africa, the Towards Social Integration: Building Schools and Communities of Peace, Diversity and Care program has established 24 new Communities of Peace, Diversity and Care. The aim is to help people live harmoniously together and cope with a wide range of diversity.
Currently, 717 women, men and children are involved with the program. They have discovered a new understanding of themselves, their level of reverence, respect and acceptance of each other is remarkably high, and many have commented on the significance this has for their sense of self-worth and dignity.
In Cambodia, the Youth for Peace program is aimed at 14 to 24-year-olds in the slum areas of Phnom Penh. It hopes to bring about a society of peace and social justice through the development of good role models and the active citizenship of youth who understand and practice a culture of peace.
Our peacebuilding programs have been established across many nations – please support Caritas Australia and help build a peaceful and just world.
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