Dr David Adams retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace (IYCP), proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly. During the IYCP, 75 million people were mobilized to sign the Manifesto 2000, promising to promote a culture of peace in their daily lives.

The IYCP laid the basis for the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010) and the Global Movement for a Culture of Peace, for which Dr Adams was responsible for its World Report at the mid-point of the Decade in 2005. Dr. Adams co-authored the Youth Survey Report that was produced in partnership with the United Network of Young Peacebuilders and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Dr. Adams believes that all social change begins from those who dream and who strive to make their dreams come true. And the culture of peace is a dream whose time has come. He is calling for a Global Movement for a Culture of Peace, so that together, throughout the world, we can make the transition from a culture of war and violence to a culture of peace and non-violence.