When President Kim Dae Jung of South Korea won the Nobel Peace Price in the year 2000, it was pointed out that he was a real statesman who sought the welfare not only of South Koreans but of North Koreans as well. The third workshop or session concentrated on the United Nations and Civil Society. The establishment of the United Nations in 1945 was a gigantic step forward toward the achievement of a permanent peace. In spite of the fact that the United Nations did not succeed, so far, to procure the world with a permanent world peace, only God knows how many wars on a global scale it has prevented. The fact that nations are provided with the opportunity to sit down and reason together relative to events of mutual interest, is already a great achievement as far as world peace is concerned.
Dialogue is essential in the formation and diffusion of a culture of peace.
We have seen from several centuries of recorded history that when nations resorted to the military for any solution they wanted, there was always a culture of war that was involved. While the culture of war is built on revenge and hatred, the culture of peace is built on compassion and love. The major problem with the United Nations today lies here. Most countries are represented by elected representatives of the people. Such countries are generally characterized by democracy.