The City of Reykjavík and the University of Iceland signed a partnership agreement on Wednesday, 7 January, to prepare the foundation of a centre for peace. The Centre is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2015 and will be located within the University of Iceland Institute of International Affairs.
Dagur B. Eggertsson, Mayor of Reykjavík, and Kristín Ingólfsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland signed the agreement in the presence of the consulting committee of the future peace centre. The committee members are Jón Gnarr (former Mayor of Reykjavík, chair), Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir (representative of the University of Iceland) and Svanhildur Konráðsdóttir (representative of the City of Reykjavík).
The objective of a centre for peace is to strengthen the City of Reykjavík as a city of peace and be advisory on how the Capital of Iceland can work towards peace domestically and abroad. The centre’s operations should encourage constructive communications, reduced violence and peaceful relations between states and international institutes.
Furthermore, the Centre will encourage peace by increasing general knowledge through education and research on peace. The Centre for Peace will thus become a forum for interdisciplinary and international collaboration, event organisation, consultation and education on issues concerning peace. Emphasis will be placed on the role of citizens and small states in promoting peace, peace culture, disarmament and education on peace.
Dagur B. Eggertsson, Mayor of Reykjavík said that the collaboration between the City of Reykjavík and the University of Iceland on peace would bring about great opportunities in issues concerning peace. Kristín Ingólfsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland concurred,and said that joining forces could lead to positive effects in our future.