Who can act to build a world at peace?

“Peace requires the simple but powerful recognition that what we have in common as human

beings is more important and crucial communally than what divides us” (Shriver, n.d.). Peace

cannot be defined simply as the absence of war or conflict. It has multiple aspects which

include economic security, equality and equity, and freedom from fear and want. The notion

of peace has transformed from merely a desire to a commitment. Its security entails a

considerable amount of responsibility. Pacifism involves a “high degree of engagement in

activity to help reduce violence in international relations” (Cortright, 2008). The question is

who can act and bring the world at peace?

As open-ended as this question may seem, the answers revolve around a pivotal point of the

‘willingness’ to achieve tranquillity and being able to translate that same willingness into

action. Our contemporary world continues to be characterized by strife rooted in the

superficially created divisions of race, caste, religion, gender, and the constant power struggle

which renders wars inevitable. The idea of ‘world peace’ seems far-fetched, often

unachievable, but this does not mean one cannot covet or toil for it. With war on the surface,

there is always an underlying drive to achieve peace, and this can be done both at the macro

and micro level through the combined efforts of individuals, institutions, and nations alike.

Governments play a vital role in making world peace a reality. Actual change can only be

made long-lasting when it is funnelled through institutions that hold power, and the primary

powerholders in society are national governments. When governments direct their efforts

towards ensuring that fundamental civil, political, and economic rights are guaranteed to

citizens equally and basic needs are met by all there is a sense of security that develops

bridging the gaps between individuals and eventually nations.

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While looking at the issue of establishing peace in the global sense, steps can be taken

towards instilling a sense of supernational democracy among citizens of different

nationalities through the formation of organisations for maintaining and promoting peace.

Such organizations in the form of The United Nations do indeed exist- but it has only partly

been successful at peacekeeping efforts. Even though the institution is capable, it faces

limitations which is evident in its failure in preventing events like the Syrian Civil War,

Rohingya Genocide and even the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. This failure can

be attributed to the lack of authority and the necessary apparatus- namely force or military

capacity to ensure the enforcement of peace. Thus, a refined version of such an organization

that has the power to hold rule-breaking regimes accountable, exact actual prices of

sanctions, put pressure through force when needed can effectively maintain peace. This can

only be achieved when nations come together as one, form common agreements and formally

set up such international organizations whose legitimacy and power is not questioned.

At the local level, educational institutes have the potential of shaping the youth of the future.

Initiatives to inculcate a non-aggressive value system integrated with formal instruction;

mitigating hate and discrimination on grounds of religion, caste, colour, creed, nationality,

age, language, and sex would serve as a foundation to rendering inherently good and peace-

loving individuals. Non-governmental organizations, on the other hand, also possess the

power to command cooperative and collective action for a common cause. With a focus on

reducing poverty and inequality, upliftment of ostracized communities, affirming rights and

other humanitarian causes- they can take small, but definitive steps towards building peace.

Political leaderships also wield considerable influence when it comes to making decisions on

war and peace because they have the capability to mobilize masses and their charismatic

persona can play on peoples’ emotions. For instance, Malcolm’s fiery and aggressive passion

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was used to fuel the ‘black’ masses with a strong commitment to their upliftment- taking the

extremes of the ‘Ballot or Bullet’ (X, 1964). We see leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin

Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi who have left an indelible mark in history with their

contributions to establishing peace in the world. However, no world peace can be established

if it doesn’t start from the ground level- through the efforts of individuals. As Barack Obama

rightly said, “Our actions matter, and can bend history in the direction of justice.” (Obama,

2009)

When everyone inherently develops a change in perspective, gets involved in small projects

striving for peace, raises his voice against injustice through platforms like social media and

displays kindness, is when a harmonious world can be built from the grassroots level. Unless

we as citizens engage in the actions, the dialogue which leads to the determination of war and

peace, the very steps towards global peace will not be taken. Gandhi emphasized on the route

of non-violence in which soul force, or the force of truth involved courage and self-sacrifice-

a weapon more potent than the use of physical force. He adds that the beauty of this force is

that it belongs to oneself and “can never be stolen” (Gandhi, 2009)- underlying the power of

an individual to bring about change without resorting to violence.

In conclusion, I believe that the act of building a world at peace, itself is difficult and maybe

this peace will never exist without some conflict or the other. What matters is how we define

this peace and delineate the boundaries that we as individuals and nations, in our behaviours

and actions, should not cross- as that would lead to upheaval, violence, turmoil and

eventually war. Peacebuilding can be done by individuals, institutions, governments,

organisations and nations alike. Thus, when these micro and macro worlds come together

with a strong commitment to ensuring a wave of peace and transform it into action- it

presents hope for a better, harmonious world.