Revista de Cultura de Paz (Feb 2020)
Approach to the Catalan conflict from a culture of peace
Abstract
An analysis of phenomena, problems and concepts is carried out in the present paper, through the use of several concepts widely used in culture of peace, in order to provide an approach to the current situation in Catalonia. The analysis starts with the identification of key elements regarding the current situation in Catalonia (its actors and their main motivations), followed by a historic contextualisation leading to the present situation. The article analyses both the current situation in Catalonia – marked by the events regarding the Referendum on Self-determination of Catalonia, which took place on 1 October 2017 (1-O) –, and the reactions of the self-determination segment and the unionist segment to the sentence of 1 October. Finally, it also shows an approach to the conflict from the perspective of a culture of peace. The conclusions stress the need for advancing towards a positive, sustained and sustainable peace, with an emphasis on empathy, recognition and respect for cultural diversity, dialogue and negotiation spaces, as well as mutual recognition, and recognition of the humanity of others. Thus, a proposal is described, which consists in moving towards the construction of peace from a culture of peace, hinging on empathy, creativity and nonviolence. The current tension in Catalonia motivates the reflection upon which it can be pointed out that standing up for peace and nonviolence are mandatory. In this sense, negotiation spaces, compliance with civil and human rights, or political action conveyed by means of the recognition of the demands and needs of others are fundamental, for mutual respect, dignity, equality and reciprocity must prevail in order to achieve peace.
