Since 1983, CPI (formerly WPI) has served as a vehicle for bringing forward the previously unseen and unheard voices working towards Peace. It also serves to unite the strengths of existing individuals and organizations building Cultures of Peace for succeeding generations.

In the spirit of the original vision that brought forth the Charter of the United Nations, the Initiative was granted UN Peace Messenger Initiative status in 1989. The purpose of this globa/local Initiative is to build a Culture of Peace in the 21st century, uniting the strengths of organisations, projects and peoples in order to make Peace a practical reality for the children of this and future generations.

This annual Peace Day marks our personal and planetary progress toward Peace. Peace Day also serves to remind us that our commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to Peace.

The current Roster of CPI Participants includes diverse international organisations, projects and people in all the world's regions. Each year, Pathways To Peace submits a CPI Report to the United Nations, listing activities which take place on International Day of Peace. This "Annual Report of the Culture of Peace Initiative" is dedicated to the United Nations and to UNESCO's International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).