The Peace Wheel

Co-creative, integrative expressions of the basic seven paths (sectors) of human creativity. Synthesis of humanity's highest Soul expression and evolutionary development. Building life-enhancing cultures of Peace for succeeding generations. All arts, media, communications, and cultural exchanges. Unity in Diversity.

Peace through Culture is the seventh, synthesizing segment of the Wheel. A great Peacebuilder, artist, and author, Nicholas Roerich defined culture as the cultivation of the creative potential in man. He said, "Positive creativeness is the fundamental quality of the human spirit. Let us welcome all those who, surmounting personal difficulties... propel their spirits to the task of Peacebuilding, thus ensuring a radiant future."

The United Nations is dedicated to promoting social and economic development, and building international Peace. The preamble to the UN Charter (from whose opening lines the name for the "WE THE PEOPLES" INITIATIVE was taken) states: "We the peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in the fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, And for these ends, to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, Have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims."

UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Director-General Federico Mayor stated: "It is the cohesion and integration of our societies that must be enhanced...We need to build not only geographical but spiritual bridges between people and strengthen the intellectual, cultural and communication linkages between our societies. UNESCO stands ready to participate in the effort to promote social integration and create a culture of peace."

The development and generation of consciously positive imagery to replace the sick, dead, fallen thought-forms crowding today's media, arts, and literatures is critically needed. Accountability must be established in recognizing the connection between what is broadcast as cultural images and values and what young people absorb and act upon. A great cleansing process is needed, and powerful positive media, thinkers, and creative workers are needed to fashion constructive, graceful thought-forms for the future of humanity on Earth. Arts and music must be created to inspire higher levels of emotion and thought, instead of to stimulate lust, anger, irritability, sullenest, fear, and perversity.