UN Documents
United Nations
A/RES/61/17, 23 January 2007
2009, International Year of Reconciliation
The General Assembly,
Bearing in mind the Charter of the United Nations, including the purposes and principles contained therein, and in particular those of saving succeeding generations from the scourge of war, bringing about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace, and practising tolerance and living together in peace with one another as good neighbours, thus developing friendly relations among nations and promoting international cooperation to resolve international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian issues,
Recognizing that reconciliation processes are particularly necessary and urgent in countries and regions of the world which have suffered or are suffering situations of conflict that have affected and divided societies in their various internal, national and international facets,
Recognizing also that many of the activities of the United Nations system in general and the international community as a whole to support peacekeeping and peacebuilding, conflict prevention, disarmament, sustainable development, the promotion and protection of human rights and dignity, democracy, the rule of law and governance, inter alia, lead to the initiation and development of reconciliation processes,
Aware that dialogue among opponents from positions of respect and tolerance is an essential element of peace and reconciliation,
Aware also that truth and justice are indispensable elements for the attainment of reconciliation and lasting peace,
Bearing in mind the role of the media in reporting on reconciliation processes,
Convinced that the declaration of an international year of reconciliation at the end of the first decade of the new millennium will provide the international community with the opportunity to pursue, with the active involvement of all stakeholders, efforts to develop reconciliation processes, which are necessary to and a condition for the establishment of firm and lasting peace,
- Expresses its steadfast determination to pursue reconciliation processes in those societies that are affected and/or divided by conflicts;
- Decides to proclaim 2009 the International Year of Reconciliation;
- Invites concerned Governments and international and non-governmental organizations to support reconciliation processes among affected and/or divided societies and to plan and implement adequate cultural, educational and social programmes to promote the concept of reconciliation, including by holding conferences and seminars and disseminating information about the issue.
56th plenary meeting, 20 November 2006
