HKMU LiPACE, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong, officially unveiled the city's first "Culture of Peace Wall" and a dedicated "Culture of Peace Room"(Aula de Cultura de Paz) today (March 24). This initiative is more than a campus facility upgrade; it is a visionary educational response to the 2025 Global Peace Index, which highlights a continued decline in global peacefulness and rising geopolitical tensions.
The core design of this project showcases the profound insights of two intellectual giants, bridging Eastern and Western wisdom. The Culture of Peace Wall features the vision of Professor Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former Director-General of UNESCO (1987–1999) and a key driver of the UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace (1999). Professor Federico Zaragoza famously noted: "The path to peace is much easier than the path to war," advocating that peace is not merely the "absence of war" but an "active construction" based on cultural understanding. Juxtaposed with this is the core philosophy of Professor Fei Xiaotong, a titan of Chinese sociology, presented within the Peace Education Classroom: "Appreciate the culture of others as you do your own, and the world will reach a state of harmony." This placement sparks a civilizational dialogue across borders. By linking the learning environment with peace themes, the new facilities aim to exert a subtle yet profound influence on students' perspectives.
The "Culture of Peace Wall" uses data visualization of the 2025 Global Peace Indexto help students understand global challenges and social cohesion. (HKMU LiPACE)
A wide-angle view of the "Culture of Peace Wall." (HKMU LiPACE)
The "Culture of Peace Wall" integrates data visualization with an actionable framework, presenting trends from the 2025 Global Peace Index to help students intuitively understand challenges to social cohesion. It applies the United Nations' "Culture of Peace" (C4P) Mosaic framework, comprising six elements:
Peace: A just peace addresses historical injustices, gender and racial inequality, and environmental concerns, while securing fair and equitable economic distribution alongside political representation.
Culture and the Arts: Promoting cross-civilizational understanding through artistic expression.
Pedagogy: Integrating peace concepts into pedagogy to foster global citizenship and empathy.
Justice: Emphasizing institutional innovation and the principles of fairness to maintain peace.
Participation of Youth: Empowering young people to become the core drivers of peaceful change.
Digital Innovation: Offering dynamic spaces to reshape and disseminate the concepts and practices of peace, revealing its evolving nature and the role culture plays in reimagining and realizing it.
Professor Reggie Kwan Ching-ping, Provost of HKMU, stated in his speech: "Prof. Zaragoza, a Spanish scientist, politician, diplomat, and poet, was not only the Director-General of UNESCO for two terms but also, significantly, Hong Kong Metropolitan University's first Doctor of Letters honoris causa in 1995. His tireless work in promoting intercultural understanding, conflict prevention, and his vision to 'build a bastion of peace in the minds of all people' exemplifies the very values and virtues that deserve to be remembered, celebrated, and emulated by our students. It is vital that we honour him today with the inauguration of the Culture of Peace Wall."
A close-up of the quotes by Professor Fei Xiaotong and Professor Federico Mayor Zaragoza. (HKMU LiPACE)
Dr Benjamin Chan Tak-yuen, Dean of HKMU LiPACE, read out a Letter of Support in Spanish and English from Ms. Ana Barrero Tíscar, Director of the Foundation for a Culture of Peace. The letter emphasized that these permanent spaces contribute concretely and lastingly to promoting a culture of peace among future generations, expressing the Foundation's full support for this valuable initiative.
Mr. Miguel Aguirre de Cárcer, Consul General of Spain in Hong Kong, remarked: "This Culture of Peace Wall symbolizes the deep cultural connection between Spain and Hong Kong and pays tribute to the vision of Spanish peace pioneer Professor Federico Mayor Zaragoza. We are honored to partner with HKMU LiPACE to guide the younger generation in finding resonance within multiculturalism, becoming future ambassadors for global peace."
Related News:
Connecting Dots | International students saying HK ties in Ukrainian cultural experiences
Comment