Dr Jeanette Pinto –
The United Nations General Assembly in 1981 officially declared September 21 as the International Day of Peace. It established this day to promote peace and non-violence globally, inviting people the world over to observe a day of ceasefire, and reflect on ways to build a peaceful and sustainable world. The official theme announced is – “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.” The focus is on nurturing peace in all aspects of life – at home, in schools, within communities, and among nations.
It’s well over 4 decades now and looking back, one wonders if the world has achieved this peace? Sadly, the answer is No. The world has advanced and in fact global peacefulness has been deteriorating for over a decade. The reality is that the most recent Global Peace Index has reported the highest number of active conflicts since the end of World War II. This decline is due to factors like state-based conflicts, rising militarization, geopolitical divisions, and a weakening of international rules and institutions that underpin peace. Hundreds of thousands of people died in conflicts as recent as in 2024, and a quarter of the global population lives in conflict-affected areas. Rising military expenditure and weapons imports and exports contribute to a less peaceful global landscape.
Now, is nonviolence the same as peace? Peace is really a God given gift to the universe. We see it in Creation and Nature from the beginning of time. In John 14:27 Jesus says. “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Peace in the world is a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there is no fighting or war, everything co-existing in perfect harmony and freedom. The world does not need the use of arms for scoring goals, particularly nuclear disarmament, and arms control. The truth is that non-violence is the only pure means to achieve the goal of a peaceful world order. Gandhi gave a revolutionary turn to social reform movements, he applied Satyagraha in the non-violent struggle against injustice, exploitation, and dictatorship.
Peaceful Co-existence was a theory developed and applied by the Soviet Union at various points in their Cold War. It is a state in which two or more groups are living together while respecting their differences. Does it mean there will be nil conflicts? Not really, but people can resolve their conflicts non-violently. Co-existence is the essence of life. It is God the Creator’s will that all human beings live as happy liberated people. Education, position, power, wealth or status, is never the yardstick for the measure of humanity.
Although the world knows that Peace is so important, yet what then brings about war? There are various contributing factors. Violations of international law and the UN Charter occur without consequence. The UN Security Council faces deadlocks due to the veto power of its permanent members. Other factors are militarization, the trade in weapons, and a less peaceful global landscape. Violations of the above undermine the rules-based international order necessary for peace. There are persistent conflicts and Wars are becoming more complex, deadly, and longer-lasting, with major conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Ukraine having devastating consequences.
What is the role of International Organizations? Firstly, the United Nations uses tools like peacekeeping operations. Unfortunately, it faces challenges due to a mismatch between mandates and available resources, as well as stalemate in the Security Council. There are alternative organizations like the BRICS bloc which have emerged, with some countries seeking them to balance what they perceive as a Western bias in the UN. It is believed that Peace is possible with proactive efforts like peace-building. This requires effort, understanding, security, and a genuine intention at equality for all nations. However, there are challenges such as human nature, resource scarcity and localised power or greed structures which make lasting global peace complex. Interestingly the UN has outlined Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence: mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and desire for peaceful co-existence.
What is the price of global peace? Can we measure it only in a financial cost of $14.4 trillion (as of 2019) or to a more intangible cost of diplomacy, compromise, reconciliation, and social development? What about the loss of thousands of lives, can that be measured with a price tag? Surely individually, the price of peace is the willingness to practice forgiveness, sacrifice for the greater good, live in mutual respect, and cultivate positive relationships.
The 2024 GPI indicates Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Malaysia, and Canada to be the most peaceful countries in the world. This beautiful world can be made truly happy by fostering quality supportive relationships, which are crucial for individual and collective well-being and health. Nurture, show empathy and respect, promote peace and the well being of other nations, and reach out to touch the lives of people. Finland has been named the happiest country in the world for 8 years now, according to the World Happiness Report. Countries of the world should take a page out of these happy peaceful countries, and make this God given universe a loving habitation for all peoples.
Dr. Jeanette Pinto is a retired educator and a member of the Archdiocesan Human Life Committee, Bombay. She also leads a Church ministry for widows at her Parish. She is an author of several inspirational books and articles.