"Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: The Power of Emotions and Psychology in International

Relations"
or
"Bridging the Emotional Divide: International Relations and the Power of Individuals"

As Mahatma Gandhi said, 'The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most
vulnerable members.' The relationships between nations are no different. How we treat other nations, particularly
the vulnerable ones, reflects the true measure of our own society. And that's why it's important for individuals and
communities to play an active role in shaping international relations. Not governments or politicians, but
individuals like the ones present in this room today. Each of you can make a huge change in how our society
works, and in the next few minutes I’m going to show you how.
How many of you have ever felt like a stranger in a foreign land? How did it feel? Isolated? Scared?
Lonely? These feelings are not only felt by individuals but also by nations. A nation, too, has emotional and
psychological needs that drive it and help it grow. A nation, like individuals, needs to feel seen, heard and valued.
This sense of validation and acceptance is crucial for its self-esteem and well-being, otherwise, it may start feeling
isolated and disconnected from the global community.
Did you know that every year, more than 50 million people are forced to flee their homes due to war,
persecution and violence? These displacements, which often result in dire humanitarian conditions, lack of access
to basic necessities and facing the risk of death, are a direct reminder of the human cost of poor international
relations.
For instance, in Syria, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing civil
war. Similarly, the Rohingya people in Myanmar have been facing persecution and violence from the government
and military forces for decades. They are forced to leave behind their friends and family, and the places where
they have built their lives, leading to emotional and psychological distress and trauma that can last a lifetime.
You might think situations such as those are rare and don’t relate to us, but as Martin Luther King Jr. said:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere", therefore these are all relevant examples that demonstrate
how governments often fail to ascertain their most fundamental responsibilities, those of protecting and providing
for their nations’ basic needs, and can even act against them.
Now, imagine a world where every individual felt seen, heard and valued. A world where every nation
felt connected, respected and understood. This may seem like a utopia, but it's not. It's a reality that we can create.
But how? by understanding the emotional and psychological processses that drive nations to seek validation from
other communities, and how failing to provide this validation can lead to massive negative consequences.

As I’ve mentioned before, a nation is not just a collection of land, resources, and institutions, but it is a
living organism that has the same needs as its people. As a result, we can look into individual human psychology
in order to learn how to heal the greater wounds of our interconnected society.
 Humans are known to be social beings, requiring a constant feed of appreciation and recognition. Without
this, they can feel isolated, disconnected and unimportant, leading to feelings of low self-worth and self-doubt, or
even to negative attitudes and actions, such as aggression, defensiveness, and manipulation.
Therefore, just as we ourselves are dependent of this external resource, we also possess the ability to offer
it to others. When someone’s feeling down or lost, we can give them our own energy and positivity, sustaining
that person and making them feel loved and validated, acknowledging they exist and that they’re just as important
as us.
The power of fixing people is within each of us. Why choose to lie or manipulate, why encourage regrets
and anger, when we can choose to heal others? And just the same, we can reach out and help struggling nations,
providing our support for them and encouraging others to do the same?
In order to support other nations, we can take advantage of the power of social media and technology.
Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok can be used to share experiences, cultures and
perspectives, encouraging empathy and understanding between nations. Hashtag campaigns can also provide a
platform for individuals to share their stories and perspectives, breaking down stereotypes and biases.
Another effective way to promote global peace is by joining non-government organizations (NGOs).
These organizations play a critical role in promoting human rights, social justice, and sustainable development,
and can provide a voice for marginalized communities. They can also bridge the gap between communities and
nations, promoting cooperation and dialogue.
In conclusion, we have seen the importance of understanding the emotional and psychological needs that
drive individuals and nations to seek validation and recognition from others. We have also seen how governments
can fail in their duty to protect their citizens and provide for their basic needs, and the devastating impact of this
failure on individuals and nations. But it is important to remember that we all have the power to make a difference
in the world by taking an active role in shaping international relations, because they are far too important to be left
to governments alone.

It's time for us to take action, to get involved, to be the change we want to see in the world and to bridge
the emotional divide between nations. Thank you.