Systemic violence challenges humanity to construct cultures of peace that embody characteristics such as nonviolence, respect for human rights, gender equality, freedom and democratization, tolerance and solidarity, and protection of the earth's resources. An international movement to build cultures of peace is underway, and the United Nations (UN) is exercising significant leadership in encouraging participation at all levels. After describing current UN efforts to build cultures of peace, this introductory article examines the role of psychologists, cautioning against approaches that result in the imposition of Western approaches and marginalization of indigenous psychologies. Drawing on the process and insights from the Sixth International Symposium on Contributions of Psychology to Peace, this issue of the journal examines the contributions of psychology to cultures of peace.