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One Nation on Top of the World
Nov 30, 2009
Positive News Issue 62 |
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Looking for a
peaceful life? Then New Zealand is officially the best place to be,
according to 2009's Global Peace Index. Out of 144 countries surveyed,
it topped the table as the most peaceful on earth.
Founded by
Steve Killelea, the Global Peace Index has won the support of an
influential and distinguished group, many of whom are themselves
dedicated to the promotion of global peace, including the Dalai Lama,
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Sir Richard Branson.
Every year, a
panel of international experts award points around 25 indicators, such
as a country's sum total of internal conflicts, its respect for human
rights, degrees of democracy, transparency and education. New Zealand
ranked first due to a number of factors, including its low level of
violent crime, amicable foreign policy, restrictions on weapons and low
level of military expenditure.
"Because they work better with
others, peaceful nations can constructively solve some of our most
pressing economic, social and environmental problems," said Clyde
McConaghy, who co-produced the Index. "Indeed, peace is the
prerequisite to helping solve major challenges, such as food and water
scarcity, decreasing biodiversity and climate change."
New
Zealand's reputation and its firm anti-nuclear stance were also
highlighted at the opening of the 'World March for Peace'. The
country's capital, Wellington, hosted the launch, before the procession
set off through 90 countries.
"We chose New Zealand as the
starting point because they were the very first country to grant women
the right to vote, to legally ban nuclear weapons and the first and
only nation to officially establish a Minister for Disarmament," says
Rafael de la Rubia, World Without Wars founder and spokesperson for the
March.
The country's achievements have also led to other
accolades this year, making it a truly multi-award-winning nation.
Britain recently voted it as a favourite long-haul destination in The
Guardian Readers' Travel Awards, while Ireland named it best adventure
holiday. Wellington has also been designated the best capital city to
live in, while Auckland University was officially ranked by The Times
as the seventh best educational facility in the world. And more
recently, New Zealand-born campaigner Alyn Ware was awarded the
prestigious Right Livelihood Award – also called the 'Alternative Nobel
Prize'. The judges announced that he had won in recognition of his 25
year-long tireless dedication to the pursuit of peace.
A
director of the Peace Foundation, in Wellington, Alyn believes that if
New Zealand can make itself nuclear-free so quickly, other countries
could follow suit just as easily. His recently drafted treaty on the
abolition of nuclear weapons for the United Nations is being circulated
by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
A former primary school
teacher, Alyn says that solving playground squabbles prepared him for a
life in international peace relations. "Some people are
shout-in-the-street types. I'm the softly-softly type. When I'm with
children, I try and sit down with them and not lecture them. The same
approach applies for politicians and congressman," he said.
"My
teaching was thus good training for all my peace and disarmament work.
So, when I am back in the classroom, I can help students see that the
ideas and approaches they are using to solve their own conflicts, are
similar to the ideas and approaches we use at the United Nations to
solve international conflicts."
Top 10 Most Peaceful Nations
1 New Zealand
2 Denmark
3 Norway
4 Iceland
5 Austria
6 Sweden
7 Japan
8 Canada
9 Finland
10 Slovenia
35 Britain
83 America
Contact: The Global Peace Index
Website: www.visionofhumanity.org
Contact: 100% Pure New Zealand
Website: www.newzealand.com
New Zealand's Waitemata Harbour, in Auckland. In Maori, 'Wai te Mataa'
means the'sea of sparkling waters'
Photo: © Gareth Eyres / exposure.co.nz
Story courtesy of 100% Pure New Zealand
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