Real Peace - Refuse to accept conflict as a way of life

Peace means freedom for another of our peacebuilding partners. “Peace is to live in harmony, to live without fear, fear that someone will harm or kill you. Globally, peace is to live in cohesion across society, and to have the freedom to fully be yourself without taking over the identity or freedom of anyone else.”

Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups. Throughout history leaders have used peacemaking and diplomacy to establish a certain type of behavioral restraint that has resulted in the establishment of regional peace or economic growth through various forms of agreements or peace treaties. Such behavioral restraint has often resulted in the reduction of conflicts, greater economic interactivity, and consequently substantial prosperity.

Peace is not simply the absence of armed, violent conflict. Peace is a state of sustained political, social and economic stability that requires openness, tolerance, diversity, and inclusion. We live in polarising times and it has never been more important to search for what unites us than what divides us. Making peace is often hard, but keeping the peace is much more difficult, because it takes commitment and compromise.

Peace in our personal lives can contribute to peace in society as a whole. Practice forgiveness, listen to others and be prepared to compromise. If you can’t get along with your neighbour, are you surprised when world leaders can’t agree on the bigger issues of our time?

Additional Reading:
Understanding Life
Peace Through Action USA
What is Peace Building?
The Surprising Economic Benefits of Peace
On the Cost of Violence and the Benefits of Peace
Positive Peace is a useful overarching measure of progress in society
Hope at the heart of Pope Francis’ World Day of Peace Messages
Rotary creates environments of peace