The term 'Zone of Peace' has been used by various organizations around the world. It has appeared in Africa, Central America, Hawaii, the Philippines, Nepal, the United Nations and elsewhere. The concept of what constitutes a Zone of Peace may differ from place to place and should not be confused with ZOPIF's. Since 1989 when it was first conceived, our definition has been refined and expanded to become more inclusive. We now define a Zone of Peace as follows:
A Zone of Peace is a site with sacred, religious, historic, educational, cultural, geographical and/or environmental importance, protected and preserved by its own community and officially recognized by a governmental authority. It is not merely a "Demilitarized Zone", but a sanctuary that operates within ethical principles of non-violence, free from weapons*, acts of violence, injustice and environmental degradation.
The official declaration or recognition of the Zone of Peace expresses commitments on the part of its community, governmental authority and, if appropriate, religious/spiritual and secular leadership to preserve the peaceful integrity of the designated site. Its custodians, members, participants and visitors exemplify mutual respect and non-violent behavior while on the site, and share their resources for furthering peace and cooperation.
A Zone of Peace provides a model to put peace into practice. The conditions required for a Zone of Peace are exactly those that most thoughtful people and leaders would like to see in their own communities and nations and throughout the world. By creating small, manageable peaceful regions, we can teach ourselves how to create a culture of peace in a world where a general commitment to justice, security and spiritual freedom is lacking. We can take personal responsibility to plant the seeds of peace and to nurture their growth.
A Zone of Peace is like a wellspring where peace is cultivated through education and example. Some Zones of Peace will be sites valued by religious, spiritual or ethnic traditions as sacred sites or special places of worship and/or pilgrimage; others may be places of special environmental or cultural importance, including UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites and Monuments.
The principal long-term objective of establishing Zones of Peace is to contribute to the creation of a global culture of peace, advancing a more just and secure world spiritually, socially and economically. We hope Zones of Peace become a dynamic sign, a luminous invitation.
ZOPIF welcomes individuals, organizations and governmental agencies to inquire further about the Zones of Peace initiative and how it may be applied to specific circumstances on small, medium and large scales.
This passage is an excerpt from the ZOPIF Guidelines.
* Exceptions include weapons displayed in a cultural, religious, spiritual, artistic or educational context; or employed as part of a traditional or spritual practice or ritual, so long as they are not used in acts of aggression to cause harm to the site or to anyone.