SHANTI MARIA FONSECA
Wherever we look, peace is under attack. From Gaza to Sudan to Ukraine to Afghanistan to Con go and beyond. Civilians in the firing line, homes blown apart, traumatised, terrified popula tions who have lost everything and sometimes everyone. This human misery must stop. Our world needs peace. The solu tions for peace are in our hands. Cultivating a culture of peace entails replacing division, dis empowerment and despair – with justice, equality and hope for all. On this International Day of Peace, let us all be inspired by the courage of those who champion peace in their neigh bourhoods, classrooms and communities. And let’s call on the world leaders to invest in a peaceful and secure future for all people. Peace as an exist ent is something that everyone throughout history has longed to experience.
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Global monitor ing groups report that over 120 to 130 active armed conflicts have occurred worldwide; with dozens of major inter-state and civil wars beginning or continu ing since the year, 2001. Observed globally on Septem ber 21, The International Day of Peace does not have a single permanent slogan, but instead adopts a new official theme every year set and declared by the United Nations (UN). The UN theme this year is “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Every where, Everyday”. It encourages people to practice non-violence, respect and understanding in real life. For students and com munities, this day offers a mean ingful chance to learn that peace is built through everyday choic es, thoughtful words and re sponsible actions that support harmony for all. Peace in the world is the dream of all of us. The Constitution of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UN ESCO) starts with the notion that “Wars begin in the minds of men so it is in the minds of men that the defences of peace must be constructed”.
The ideas of peace, the culture of peace, need to be cultivated in the minds of children and communities through formal and informal education, across countries and generations. Peace is the necessary foun dation to collectively face and tackle humanity’s challenges. It is the lived experience of a safe, dignified life, filled with opportunities and cooperation in our daily lives. Everyone everywhere can do their part for peace. Take one small step for peace every day. Under the theme “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every day”, this year’s International Day of Peace honours the ‘every day architects of peace’ – people driving local action, laying the groundwork for stability, and building lasting peace from the ground up. Remember, peace isn’t just built in conference rooms – it is shaped by every one, everywhere, everyday.
This day matters because it reminds the world that peace is not only the absence of conflict, but also entails the presence of dialogue, understanding, dignity and co operation. For students, teach ers and communities, today’s Peace Day is an opportunity to reflect on how peace – oriented actions can begin in daily life, classrooms, families and socie ty. It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must ardently be lieve in it. One must work for it. While the warring world is cry ing out for peace, let our actions to affirm peace resonate louder than words. The International Day of Peace was first declared in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-vio lence and cease-fire. For stu dents, teachers and communi ties, Peace Day is an important opportunity to reflect on how peaceful actions can begin in daily life, classrooms, families and society. It is dedicated to strengthening the ideals of peace both within countries and between countries. The obser vance encourages people to val ue non-violence, human dignity cooperation and peaceful co-ex istence.
The day is also linked with the call for a 24 hour global ceasefire and reflection. This gives the observance a strong symbolic meaning: even a sin gle day devoted to peace can inspire larger efforts toward conflict-resolution, respect for human rights, which underline community harmony. World peace is the concept of an ideal state of peace with in and among all people and nations on Earth. Different cul tures, religions, philosophies and organisations have varying concepts on how such a state would come about. World peace is essential because it protects the precious and sacred human life, allows societies to grow and creates a safe environment for all of humanity. There is no way to peace. Peace is the way. Wars kill millions of people and force families to leave their hearths and homes. Conflicts create millions of refugees, endanger ing their lives and leaving many innocent women, children and civilians, stripped of their basic needs. Wars pollute the air and water, destroying the forests and the delicate ecosystems. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peace makers, for they will be called the children of God”. Tra ditionally, Hinduism has adopt ed an ancient Sanskrit phrase, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which translates as “The world is one family”. The essence of this concept is the observation that only base minds see dichot omies and divisions. The more we seek wisdom, the more we become inclusive and free our internal spirit from worldly il lusions or Maya. World peace is achieved only through internal means by liberating ourselves from artificial boundaries that separate us all. Buddhists be lieve that world peace can only be achieved if individuals es tablish peace first within their minds.
During its twenty-fifth conference, in 1986, the Red Cross recognised the Inter national Year of Peace. In its twenty-seventh resolution of the conference, the Red Cross emphasized its goal “to pre vent and alleviate human suf fering, protect life and health and to promote lasting peace and international co-operation”. Compassion for all life, human and non-human, is central to Jainism. They have adopted the core teachings of Lord Mahavira “Jivo aur Jeeno Do” (Live and let live). Human life is valued as a unique, rare opportunity to reach enlightenment. To kill any person, no matter what crime he may have committed, is considered unimaginably abhorrent. Collective peace al ways begins with individual actions. True harmony is rarely achieved by force; rather, it is built through understanding, justice, and shared humanity. In today’s world, understanding peace requires moving past the old definition of “the absence of war.” We say no to the peace that keeps us on our knees, no to the peace that keeps us in chains. Investing in human de velopment and mutual under standing is more effective than any military deterrent. In a time of turbulence, tu mult and uncertainty, it is criti cal for everyone to take concrete action to mobilise for peace. From peacekeepers on the front-lines of conflict, to com munity members, to students in classrooms around the world, everyone has a role to play.
We must speak up against exploita tion, violence, hate, discrimina tion and inequality; practice re spect and embrace the diversity of our world. Peace is not just a vision. It’s a call to action that each of us can answer by pro moting understanding, respect, and justice in our daily lives. By responding to the call of UN’s “Peace Begins with Me” and sharing messages of hope, we can inspire and encourage oth ers to speak up and help herald a more peaceful world. World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. It is the manifestation of hu man compassion. The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace, it is because we have for gotten that we belong to each other. Around the world lives are being ripped apart, child hood’s extinguished and basic human dignity trodden, amidst the cruelty and degradations of war. We are seeing an explosion of conflict all around us. Inter national law is blatantly flouted and record number of people are fleeing their homes.
All they want is peace. Where there is peace, we have hope. Families unite, communities rebuild. Children learn and play. Peace cannot wait: – Our work starts now. This year’s International Day of Peace urges each of us to give a voice to its call. Let this Day of Peace be more than a casual date on the calendar! (The writer is a social scientist and a practising Sr. criminal lawyer)
