Today we are living in a world stained by wars, conflicts, extremism, violence, and hatred. Though all of us wish peace to be a reality, unfortunately, it remains elusive!
We know peace is not just the absence of war. It is about having real relationships. It is about equality, mutual respect, and kindness with each other. It is about freedom and trust.
For Nelson Mandela, who devoted his life to the service of humanity, "peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference."
Unfortunately, key reasons for the absence of peace in our society are lack of shared values, violation of human rights, and hatred built on the basis of caste, colour, creed, sex, etc.
We hear reports about even close friends and relatives becoming the worst of enemies, seeking the most horrible means to malign and even kill each other and inflicting the most terrible of pain on them in the process!
On the national levels, we see missing of peace on the grounds of linguistic chauvinism, racial and ethnic feud, religious fanaticism, and ideological intolerance. Millions of people die in different countries due to a certain spirit of nationalism.
When it comes to peace at the international front, we find millions caught up in conflicts and wars because of prejudices among nations built on differences in their economic or political systems. Their life is full of miseries. They are without food and shelter.
As UN Secretary General António Guterres told the General Assembly meeting on the priorities of the organisation for 2024 in February last, “Around the globe, and across the range of issues, peace is the missing piece. People want peace and security. People want peace and dignity. And, frankly, they want peace and quiet.”
According to international think tank the Institute for Economics and Peace, currently there are 56 conflicts, the most since World War II. They have become more international, with 92 countries involved in conflicts outside their borders.
There were 162,000 conflict-related deaths worldwide in 2023. This was the second highest toll in the past 30 years, with the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza accounting for nearly three-quarters of deaths. Ukraine represented more than half, recording 83,000 conflict deaths, with estimates of at least 33,000 for Palestine up to April 2024.
In the first four months of 2024, conflict-related deaths globally amounted to 47,000. If the same rate continues for the rest of this year, it would be the highest number of conflict deaths since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.
A 2023 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute reveals that global military spending reached a staggering $2.1 trillion in 2022. Compare this to the estimated $100 billion annually needed to end world hunger by 2030, which is one of the UN’s sustainable development goals.
Despite the current state of affairs, the dream of world peace remains a powerful motivator.
We have a number of international days that call for much-needed support to protect refugees, end child labour, stop sexual violence in conflict, and ensure human rights for the innocent children victims of aggression.
Every year September 21 is marked as International Day of Peace around the world. The General Assembly has declared this “a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.”
Peace starts with each of us. We can promote tolerance in our communities and encourage peaceful solutions to conflicts. Every action, however small, contributes to a more peaceful world. There will be no peace until there is peace for all!
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