peacefrontier-blog

[peacefrontier-blog]

Peace is the Final Frontier

September 6, 2019

“I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, and the kind that enables men and nations to grow, and to hope, and build a better life for their children—not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women, not merely peace in our time but peace in all time” - John F Kennedy Achieving lasting global peace remains an elusive goal, but it is one that will not fall off the agenda anytime soon. That's because conflicts have intensified in the last decade. According to the United Nations, in 2016 alone, more countries experienced violent conflict than at any time in nearly 30 years. There has also been a sharp rise in terrorist attacks. However, while the world witnessed an uptick in violent conflicts there has been an equal expansion in Peace Social Movements. In just about every country caught in conflict there are peace social movements addressing the alternatives to violence. Sofia Ramyar, Executive Director of Afghans for Progressive Thinking, said that the bombing of her family’s home in 1995 and life as a refugee in Pakistan led her to work for peaceful coexistence in Afghanistan, with human rights for all. “I want to assure you that the youth, peace and security agenda is preparing a generation of young women and men in Afghanistan that will lead our country towards peace, development, and prosperity,” she said, while acknowledging that hierarchical relationships between men and women, as well as between elders and youth, remain dominant. “This needs to change,” she stressed. Wevyn Muganda, Programme Director for HAKI Africa, a national human rights organization in Kenya, said that, if fully implemented, the youth, peace and security agenda can transform the lives of young people and societies. She went on to describe her Sundays spent with young people in informal “chill spots”, known in Mombasa as maskani, where she connects with influencers and activists. She added that her blog, “Beyond the Lines”, has helped to build an online community of peacebuilders and activists.

In 2018, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called for a “surge in diplomacy for peace.” Part of that effort, he advised, should be increasing the number of women mediators and finding more ways to engage female civil society leaders in peace processes. While messages of peace are regular activities for Peace Social Movements, there is one day on which the world can conspire collectively and engage in creative & innovative ways to increase consciousness on the importance of improving dialogue and reconciliation efforts. International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. It is an event that is observed each year by nations all across the world. The event is commemorated on the 21st of September!