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How to Make Peace in Your Community

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

This article was co-authored by Saul Jaeger, MS . Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018. This article has been viewed 206,052 times.

Problems within a community can prevent people from living safe, happy, and productive lives. Promoting peace in a community is an extraordinary challenge, and it often requires the work and dedication of many community members. However, you can help to promote peace within your community by encouraging good relationships with your neighbors, learning more about your community's history, and taking action to deal with violence.

Promoting Peace Among Your Neighbors

• Introducing yourself to people . Make a habit of introducing yourself to the people you meet in daily life. Show genuine interest in them, and ask them questions about their lives, jobs, and families.

• Visiting new places . Visit businesses and public areas that you don't typically visit. Take note of changes in your community as well, such as new neighbors, local construction projects, or newly opened or closed businesses.
• Walking around your neighborhood . If it is safe to do so, walk or take public transit instead of driving a car. This will allow you to see, hear and experience your community and its members more intimately.

• If you don't feel ready to plan an event, then you could also organize a small meeting. Try planning a meeting and inviting some other community members who are interested in making your community a more peaceful place. Use the meeting to share your concerns and discuss possible solutions.

• Look into volunteering at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or animal shelter. Try visiting local organizations' websites or calling to see if they are looking for volunteers.

• Home or cell phone numbers
• Workplace addresses and phone numbers
• E-mail addresses, or social media accounts
• Contact info for neighbors' immediate family, in case of emergency

• If you can, consider offering to help set up, run, or clean up after the event.

• Depending on what community you live in, there may be many meetings that you have a right to attend, including city council meetings, meetings of other government committees, and meetings of public organizations such as parent teacher associations.
• Online resources, such as https://www.usa.gov/local-governments , are available to help you locate public offices, services and meetings.
• You can also contact your local city council, chamber of commerce, or other local government organization for help.

Exploring Your Community's History

• When, and by whom, was the community founded?
• What businesses, cultures, religions, or political movements were influential in the founding of the community?
• How has the population of the community changed over time? Has it grown or shrunk? Has it become more or less wealthy?
• How did major events in the world, such as wars or financial crises, affect the community and its residents?
• How has the role of the community in the larger region changed over time? For example, many communities suffer serious consequences when once prominent industries or businesses (railroads, manufacturing plants, etc.) closes or leaves the region.

• For help finding a local historical society, consult an online directory, such as http://www.preservationdirectory.com/preservationorganizationsresources/organizationcategories.aspx

• Most people learn about history in courses at school or in college, but you don't have to be a student to gain access to the subject. Your local library contains all the resources you'll need for a lifetime of learning. Ask your librarian for recommendations.

• What big changes have occurred in the community during their life?
• Has the state of the community improved or become worse in recent times?
• What steps have people taken in the past to improve the community, and were they successful?
• What, in their experience, are the causes of unrest in the community?

Create community through human connection and by finding common ground. "No matter who we are or what we look like or what we may believe, it is both possible and, more importantly, it becomes powerful to come together in common purpose and common effort."

Dealing with Violence in Your Community

• By investigating the potential causes of the violence in your community, you can work on some tailored solutions to the violence. For example, a lack of jobs might be due to poor educational opportunities for people in your community. Therefore, improving educational opportunities might be the best way to prepare people for jobs and cut down on violent crimes.
• Or, if many of the kids in your community spend their spare time on the streets, then building a community center or increasing the programming at a local community center may provide the kids with somewhere to go after school.

• Discuss how more vulnerable community members, such as elders, can be cared for and protected from violence.
• Arrange carpooling or offer to escort those who need to leave their home, but are fearful to go out alone.
• If children are present in the neighborhood, have a frank discussion with your neighbors about where the children can gather should they find themselves in danger.

• Try looking into violence prevention nonprofits for help and information. While the availability of such programs depends on where you live, thousands of organizations exist to assist communities struggling with violence and unrest. Contacting a local anti-violence or community organizing nonprofit is a great way to find out about what others are doing to make positive changes in their communities.

• Be open and honest in discussing issues of violence with your family, friends and neighbors. Conversations about such important, urgent issues can become heated, but do not shy away from disagreement. Instead, try to listen to what others have to say, and try to understand their perspectives before responding.
• Community leaders such as religious or school officials, business owners, community organizers, and local politicians are another great resource.
• Ask about other people's personal experiences with violence, or other community issues. Ask them what they think has caused these issues, and what they think should be done to solve them.

• Classes in community organizing are offered at many universities and colleges, and can sometimes be taken remotely over the internet.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.actionforhappiness.org/take-action/get-to-know-your-neighbours-better
• ↑ Saul Jaeger, MS. Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department. Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.
• ↑ https://www.lapdonline.org/making-children-families-and-communities-safer-from-violence/
• ↑ http://learn.org/directory/category/Humanities_and_Liberal_Arts/Social_Services/Community_Organizing.html

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Essay on Peace

500 words essay peace.

Peace is the path we take for bringing growth and prosperity to society. If we do not have peace and harmony, achieving political strength, economic stability and cultural growth will be impossible. Moreover, before we transmit the notion of peace to others, it is vital for us to possess peace within. It is not a certain individual’s responsibility to maintain peace but everyone’s duty. Thus, an essay on peace will throw some light on the same topic.

Importance of Peace

History has been proof of the thousands of war which have taken place in all periods at different levels between nations. Thus, we learned that peace played an important role in ending these wars or even preventing some of them.

In fact, if you take a look at all religious scriptures and ceremonies, you will realize that all of them teach peace. They mostly advocate eliminating war and maintaining harmony. In other words, all of them hold out a sacred commitment to peace.

It is after the thousands of destructive wars that humans realized the importance of peace. Earth needs peace in order to survive. This applies to every angle including wars, pollution , natural disasters and more.

When peace and harmony are maintained, things will continue to run smoothly without any delay. Moreover, it can be a saviour for many who do not wish to engage in any disrupting activities or more.

In other words, while war destroys and disrupts, peace builds and strengthens as well as restores. Moreover, peace is personal which helps us achieve security and tranquillity and avoid anxiety and chaos to make our lives better.

How to Maintain Peace

There are many ways in which we can maintain peace at different levels. To begin with humankind, it is essential to maintain equality, security and justice to maintain the political order of any nation.

Further, we must promote the advancement of technology and science which will ultimately benefit all of humankind and maintain the welfare of people. In addition, introducing a global economic system will help eliminate divergence, mistrust and regional imbalance.

It is also essential to encourage ethics that promote ecological prosperity and incorporate solutions to resolve the environmental crisis. This will in turn share success and fulfil the responsibility of individuals to end historical prejudices.

Similarly, we must also adopt a mental and spiritual ideology that embodies a helpful attitude to spread harmony. We must also recognize diversity and integration for expressing emotion to enhance our friendship with everyone from different cultures.

Finally, it must be everyone’s noble mission to promote peace by expressing its contribution to the long-lasting well-being factor of everyone’s lives. Thus, we must all try our level best to maintain peace and harmony.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Peace

To sum it up, peace is essential to control the evils which damage our society. It is obvious that we will keep facing crises on many levels but we can manage them better with the help of peace. Moreover, peace is vital for humankind to survive and strive for a better future.

FAQ of Essay on Peace

Question 1: What is the importance of peace?

Answer 1: Peace is the way that helps us prevent inequity and violence. It is no less than a golden ticket to enter a new and bright future for mankind. Moreover, everyone plays an essential role in this so that everybody can get a more equal and peaceful world.

Question 2: What exactly is peace?

Answer 2: Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in which there is no hostility and violence. In social terms, we use it commonly to refer to a lack of conflict, such as war. Thus, it is freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups.

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• Section 5. Promoting Peace

Chapter 28 Sections

• Section 1. Overview: Some Spiritual Assets for Community Building
• Section 2. Being Compassionate
• Section 3. Being Charitable Towards Others
• Section 4. Forgiveness and Reconciliation
• Section 6. Spreading Hope
• Section 7. Promoting Hospitality as a Way of Life
• Section 8. Mindfulness and Community Building
• Section 9. Gratitude and Appreciation
• Section 10. Mercy
• Main Section

This and other sections in the Tool Box chapter on Spirituality and Community Building (Chapter 28) have been written with the support and contributions of experts connected with the Charter for Compassion. For more information about the Charter and its work, visit  www.charterforcompassion.org .

“Everyone must be committed in the matter of peace, to do everything that they can …

Peace is the language we must speak.” — Pope Francis

Introduction

This section is about peace – a most fundamental asset to community building, to personal growth, and to the very survival of our planet. At the heart of many faiths, practices, and cultures, advancing peaceful co-existence is essential to ensuring productive, meaningful lives and sustainable societies.

After providing a working definition of peace, our main focus will be on practical steps one can take to advance peace, so that we can strengthen ourselves and our communities. We’ll supplement this guidance with examples throughout. These come from initiatives stimulated by the Charter for Compassion , its partner organizations, and many others who offer practical models that individuals, groups, and/or governments can employ for peace-building. We will also consider how we, as individuals, can be enriched by establishing peace within our individual lives, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Throughout this section we draw from actual events and emphasize personal experiences. Assisting in authoring is September 11 th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows , whose members have connected with others from over 25 countries – from Rwanda and South Africa to Japanese survivors of atomic bombs; these individuals have lost loved ones, or themselves been injured by mass violence through war, terror, or other incidents, but they have joined together to work toward a more peaceful future.

To get us started on the topic of promoting peace, let us look to what may seem at first to be an unlikely source for leadership and inspiration – the mountains of Afghanistan. There live a group of young people who have been surrounded by war from birth, from Soviet invasions to warlords, Taliban fighting, and more recently the American invasion. As a result, several of them have been severely injured and/or lost family and friends due to conflicts that have nothing to do with their interests. 

Yet they have not responded with a violent thirst for revenge, but rather by forming the Afghan Peace Volunteers . This group has held peace marches and vigils in areas across the Middle East and has worked to support other youth and victims of war, while strengthening education and justice within their own communities. They challenge you and me, and the entire world, with their simple question: "Why not friendship?" Perhaps you would like to respond to their heartfelt plea. They welcome everyone to join in their conversations toward mutual understanding, called Global Days of Listening .

Youth and adults across the U.S. and the world have joined in these calls to discuss ways to make our communities safer and to live together in peace. Later in this section, we will discuss how a student group in Groton, MA participated, sharing dreams and strategies. If these young people can embrace peace and see a way forward through mutual support with those who have been enemies, we can all find that path, whether in our home communities or across the globe.

The Author’s Personal Story As a 9/11 family member, this topic of peace is profoundly important to me. My brother, Donald Freeman Greene, having hugged his beloved wife and young children goodbye, headed off on an early flight on September 11, 2001 to visit our siblings on the West Coast. He died on that beautiful morning as a passenger aboard United Flight 93. Young men, deluded into thinking that they were acting in accordance to their religion’s beliefs and/or to benefit their people, had taken over the plane in an act of extreme violence. Their intent to use the airplane as a weapon, most likely aimed at the United States Capitol, was thwarted by passengers who came together to retake control of the cockpit. In my anguish and personal loss, it was still painful to me to hear the call of the Flight 93 passengers – "Let's Roll" – taken up across the nation and used as a justification to head to war. The nation embraced the idea that a military approach would teach our enemies a lesson and destroy them. Yet we must ask ourselves, what is the lesson? As hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, predominantly women and children, have died due to the ensuing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have failed to demonstrate in any way that violence against civilians is ever justified. We have lost far more young soldiers than the number of people who died in the September 11th attacks. The wars seem to have perpetuated the same misguided belief held by the terrorists – that enemies can simply be eliminated. Prior to the wars, the group that launched the 9/11 attacks, Al-Qaeda, was a very small extremist faction with virtually no presence in Iraq. Now ISIS, an extreme offshoot of Al-Qaeda, has emerged and taken over large sections of the country, even as the Taliban has crept back into power in Afghanistan. Eventually, I learned of other 9/11 family members who shared my perspective and had formed September 11 th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, turning our grief into actions for peace. Our goal is for no other families anywhere in the world to suffer needlessly due to violence, whether from terrorism, war, or other causes. Our name comes from the prescient quote by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars make poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows." (Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr, "The Casualties of War in Vietnam,” Speech, Los Angeles, CA, January 1967.)

Several elements are useful in defining peace. On an individual level, peace may start with having calmness within oneself. Expanding outward, peace entails agreement and harmony among people. At its largest scale, peace is to live without violent conflict or war. Peace underlies our quality of life and the fabric of our communities; and, as our weaponry becomes ever more powerful, our very survival as people on this planet depends upon it.

Many spiritual traditions and teachings throughout history have emphasized peace, both as an inner journey and as an outward commitment to live in mutual benefit with our families, our communities, and in the world. Yet in our current global landscape we often see peace described in an inverted way, so that “keeping the peace” has come to refer to soldiers and “peace-keepers,” or to armed militia.

A number of other terms and concepts are necessarily related to the creation of peace, including fairness, justice, inclusiveness, and human rights. These must be embedded into the community in order to foster agreement and harmony. Peace is strongest when derived from social justice, which can be defined as ensuring fundamental rights and equity to all. Strengthening civil society – the rules that bind us and allow us to live productively together, with established means of resolving conflict – is the means to those ends.

The Importance of Peace to Community Building

Peace enriches our communities and individual lives, as it directs us to embrace diversity and support one another to the fullest extent possible. Through caring, generosity, and fairness we provide a cornerstone for attaining a sustainable, just, meaningful, vibrant, and fulfilling personal and community life.

To bring home this point, consider the following questions:

• Can our families and communities thrive without mutual support and peace with our neighbors?
• Can peaceful communities exist without attention to justice and equity?
• What would be the prospects of a world without peace?

Situations Favoring the Promotion of Peace

Detection and action.

Promoting peace requires valuing and considering both oneself and others. As such, peace is central to every situation throughout our lives. Just as a child is enriched as he or she learns to take on more responsibilities, the meaning in our lives grows as we learn to recognize and take more responsibility for one another and the world.

While such a broad application is encouraged, individuals or communities can enhance their impact by strategically focusing their efforts. In community organizing, promoting peace is in many ways similar to other areas of strategic planning. The Charter for Compassion and the Community Tool Box recommend the following four steps that can help to detect and set peace-building priorities, then develop peaceful action opportunities:

1. Discover and Assess

Learn more about the issues and assets that affect peace in your community. A quick snapshot of concerns can be identified through statistics on criminal activities, hate crimes, and school incidents. Many of these statistics can be found on the FBI website  or on commercial sites such as city-data.com .

More in-depth information may be gained from discussions with residents, local human rights commissions, and/or parent-teacher associations. The cultural and spiritual organizations in your area can also be valuable in engaging diverse residents to share their cultures and to promote your learning about current efforts devoted to harmony and cross-cultural/interfaith understanding. You can reach out and participate in some of their activities.

Participatory Asset Mapping builds on discussions with community residents in order to identify and map locations of issues of concern (such as high crime areas), community assets to protect (such as parks, schools and organizations), and factors that impact community violence (such as vacant lots and abandoned buildings). For helpful guidance, refer to the tools available from organizations such as the Advancement Project .

2. Focus and Commit

With this information in hand, choose the most important issues to you and your community, particularly those you can commit to in promoting peace. Here are some among many potential areas of focus that individuals and community peace organizations have chosen, ranging along a continuum from simple to more extensive:

• Arts, music, and cultural programs that promote peace
• Peace and interfaith collaborations, events, vigils, and rallies
• Anti-bullying and other violence prevention initiatives in schools
• Restorative justice programs in schools and community settings that focus on healing rather than punishment
• Partnership strengthening between residents and police
• Formation of local peace commissions
• Establishment of sister-city programs with other communities
• Instituting community by-laws and other policies that foster peace and justice

Several of these will be discussed in more depth, with examples, later in this section.

3. Build and Launch

You don’t have to start building from scratch. Join with others already active in your community to pursue your goals for peace-building. Learn if your town has a peace commission or similar organization. Even if not, the Charter for Compassion lists many communities that have committed to the principles of compassion and are mobilized to take action. You can contact the local organizers of such efforts, or follow their guidelines to help start and implement your own.

4. Evaluate and Maintain

Evaluating your peace-building efforts can help ensure they are effective and sustained. Setting clear and measurable objectives can pave the way for progress that can easily be transparently monitored.

It is vital to be inclusive and listen to the voices of the entire community as you develop, implement, and evaluate as well as celebrate the success of your actions. Guidance is available on the Creating and Maintaining Partnerships portion of the Community Toolkit.

Contexts for Promoting Peace

Below are several different contexts and situations for strategically promoting peace: all involve being inclusive, proactively addressing needs, and anticipating situations that may arise.

When Defining Community

 As we form and define our communities, the groundwork for promoting peace can be laid by ensuring that all in the community are welcome and that none are excluded.

When Strengthening Policies and Initiatives

Peace-building calls upon us to ensure that policies and procedures benefit the entire community. A fundamental first step is to establish and follow a clear, fair, and just rule of law. This relies on full participation of diverse residents and stakeholders in its development and maintenance so that everyone’s needs and contributions can be incorporated.

Consider, as an example, the long history of unequal law enforcement in the United States. The mission of the police is to advance justice: Yet too often black youths and other people of color have been profiled by the police, resulting in unfair, and in some instances life-threatening, treatment. We must recognize the persistence of discrimination even as we make progress and take action to root out its many forms.  For instance, Maryland responded to recent serious incidents by issuing new guidelines for police departments throughout the state. These guidelines explicitly condemn the arbitrary profiling of certain races, ethnicities, and other minority groups, and restrict the circumstances under which police officers can consider those characteristics during interactions with the public. The guidelines are accompanied by new training programs for police officers and ways to partner with residents. As reported by the Baltimore Sun , Attorney General Frosh wrote in a memorandum, “The time has come for these principles to be transformed into uniform practice” across the state – covering not just race and ethnicity, but also national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. “Experience has taught us that improper profiling by police exacts a terrible cost, discouraging cooperation by law-abiding citizens… and eroding community trust.” Furthermore, the Baltimore Police Department has established a Community Collaboration Division that recognizes the importance of a close partnership with residents and other community sectors. Its mission is "to develop strategies that produce collaborative partnerships between law enforcement, Baltimore city residents, faith-based organizations, businesses, schools, media, other government agencies, and non-profit organizations.”

When Others in the Community Fall under Our Care

Paying attention to maintaining individuals’ dignity and quality of life when they are under our care can help ensure the ability of all residents to live more peaceful, tranquil lives. As we consider the following circumstances, remember that we, or those we care about, all might fall within these categories at one point in our lives; and while we are responsible for others they also are responsible for us:

• Children are a joint responsibility of our community. Whether in our families, foster care systems, schools, or society in general, we collectively bear responsibility for ensuring children’s safety and fostering conditions and opportunities that help them flourish.
• A number of other vulnerable populations fall under our care, including those who are frail, ill, or have other special needs.
• It is also a community responsibility to ensure that those who are incarcerated, in mental health facilities, or otherwise institutionalized are treated fairly and humanely.
• Refugees and recent immigrants need us as well, while they in turn contribute to strengthening our communities. Opening one's community and one’s heart is a great act of compassion – one many of our own families may have relied upon at some point in their history.
• All who inhabit our Earth: It is important to recognize that our responsibility for peaceful cohabitation ultimately extends to every human being, across all corners of the earth. We even need to consider how best to co-exist with other living creatures, as they are important contributors to the interdependent ecosystems of which we are a part and on which we depend for survival on this fragile planet.

As documented in books such as Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization , by Steven Solomon, caring for the earth is essential for being able to live in peace with one another. Many of the most serious conflicts that have arisen, from genocide in the Sudan to the recent fighting in Syria, have stemmed from environmental collapse and resource depletion.

Acknowledging our connections and responsibilities to one another and our world does not mean that everyone needs to take on every issue; but awareness of mutual dependency is an important foundation to acting peaceably. Spiritual traditions offer many ways of safeguarding this care, calling for us to be good shepherds of the earth.

For example, First Nation tradition recognizes that we are all guests on the earth and responsible for taking care of nature for those yet to come. The law of the Iroquois, for instance, guides us to make community decisions that will serve those who will be born seven generations into the future.

In sum, there are few if any situations in which being conscious of respect, inclusiveness, and justice will not help to promote peace. The public health community has recently been embracing the concept of “Health in All Policies,” and this is equally true for peace and justice.

STEPS IN DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING PEACE

There are many paths to climbing a mountain; similarly, there are many paths through which a commitment to peace can be used to strengthen oneself and one's community. There are approaches one can take as an individual, a family, an organization, or a community, nation, or general society. Some of these are simple, while others require more commitment and resources. Let us consider each approach in more detail.

Finding Peace Within

Many maintain the importance of establishing peace within oneself in order to bring about peace in the world. Quelling the tendency to be at war with oneself, and with those closest to us, can be among the most rewarding, if difficult, accomplishments. You could start by acknowledging your worth and your flaws – we all have both. With that acceptance, show compassion toward yourself, and seek out strategies and supports best suited to you and your circumstances.

In the box below is a story from another member of September 11 th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, Antonio Aversano. An artist who works with young men involved in the juvenile justice system, Antonio describes his inward journey and choices.

A Son’s Personal Lessons from 9/11 At the time of this writing – almost 14 years since September 11th, 2001 – it seems effortless to share these words as they are unencumbered by some of the traumatic feelings and perceptions from the day my Dad, Louis F. Aversano, Jr, was killed in the World Trade Center. The experience of losing my Dad through such a globally impacting tragedy was one of feeling broken open . All that I knew to be “reality” was shattered. And, from this breaking of all that I knew and all I knew myself to be, I believe I experienced what some call Grace – as the Soul of who I am rose to the surface and since has become an integrated and instrumental part of who I am and how I live my life. It is from this place of new perception that came the main life lesson that I received from my Dad’s death: I HAVE CHOICE! How would I choose to live my life from that moment on? Just the realization that I had a choice was itself a transformation. To both be washed over by grief, anger, and the temptation of revenge, while also clearly sensing that beyond my pain there was another way forward, felt like I was given a huge Divinely-guided gift. Day by day I came to accept what happened in my life and decided to honor the best of who my Dad was, who I am, and who we all are by living a life guided by Love and dedicated to Peace. In essence, I learned that if I want to live in a peaceful world, the seeds of Peace must first bloom within me. Living in Peace is a process reflected in each moment by what I choose to believe, how I filter my perceptions, and all the ways I then act, create, and live the gift of my life.  By witnessing and having compassion for the impulses of fear, hatred, and ill will in my own mind and heart, I learned that self-awareness and a commitment to personal transformation is the most profound action that I can take in cultivating Peace in my own life. By doing so, the possibility for Peace comes alive in every moment, in every interaction, and in every way I am called to serve others. The Peace that shines from within becomes a beacon for a peaceful way of being that, through its demonstration in everyday life, has a profound and incalculable ripple effect with the potential to reach its waves around the world.

Ensuring Peace within Families

Domestic violence and child abuse are urgent problems that have often been viewed inappropriately as private, rather than as community concerns. Correcting this misperception is an important first step to addressing these too-prevalent crimes that have risen to epidemic proportions in the U.S., and are routine in many other nations as well. A World Health Organization report cites annual costs of child abuse and domestic violence to the United States economy as a staggering 106 billion dollars annually (1.1% of the gross national product).

Nearly one-third of U.S. women have experienced domestic violence, with almost one-quarter reporting severe physical violence such as being strangled, hit with a fist, or stabbed (as reported by NPR and the Washington Post ). Bureau of Justice statistics indicate that a majority of homicides of women in the U.S. are committed by a family member or intimate partner, while the World Health Organization reports that internationally this figure is as high as 38 percent.

Author and advocate Gloria Steinem emphasizes that these are crimes of domination rooted in unequal power dynamics. Those perpetrating such crimes in families, she observes, are more likely to eventually commit crimes in community settings linked to dominance as well, such as hate crimes. When these domestic crimes are ignored or inadequately addressed, it places everyone at risk. In her book Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide , Andrea Smith traces linkages in the other direction, from the community to the individual and family. She describes the many arenas in which historic and ongoing violence and oppression waged against Native American communities has segued into violence against women.

Security analysts from Texas A&M, in their book, Sex and World Peace (Hudson, et al., 2012), further trace gender violence as predictive of a society’s use of violent means of conflict resolution, finding gender equality an important indicator of the security of a nation. Despite the scale of such violence, there is evidence that it is neither universal nor inevitable. The World Health Organization has established that effective interventions exist to address individual, relationship, community, and societal factors. Recommended community-level interventions include:

• Reducing the availability of alcohol
• Changing institutional settings – e.g., schools, workplaces, hospitals, and long-term care institutions for the elderly – by means of appropriate policies, guidelines, and protocols
• Providing training to better identify and refer people at-risk for interpersonal violence; and Improving emergency care and access to health services.

Gender violence activists often emphasize that these problems are best solved through empowerment and community strengthening. For example, the organization MASUM , based in India, holds that a “primary belief is that people can resolve their own problems collectively with some amount of external support; thus, rather than create dependence on itself, MASUM focused on strengthening people’s perspectives on democracy, equality, secularism, and social justice.”

While providing counseling for women victims of violence, MASUM also engages women and men in changing the community context. This includes public actions that raise awareness across the community, exerting pressure on village leadership to act on behalf of the victim /survivor, instituting programs from early childhood to prevent violence and discrimination against women, and fostering efforts by young men and husbands to advance women’s rights.

Living Peaceably with Others

As individuals, we need to recognize the extent to which all of us are interdependent. It behooves us to direct our energy and resources toward supporting, not harming, one another. The person we dismiss or even hate today may be connected in ways we don't realize to our own well-being.

You can make a tremendous difference by welcoming others into your life and community. This starts with gaining an awareness of those you may not have thought about who are new to the community, or simply new to you. They may be at work, at schools you or your children attend, down the street, or in isolated pockets of your community.

Thirteen percent of people living in America were born outside the country ( American Community Survey 2013 estimate ). Rather than being fearful or resentful, learn about those in your area who are following America’s great tradition of immigration and their contributions to its prosperity. What are their cultures, traditions, assets, and needs? How can you draw upon what they have to offer, ease their transitions, and help welcome them into the fabric of your community?

To learn the answer, you may have to reach out and extend yourself. You might start by going to events where you can learn more and offer assistance.

Providing Assistance to New Americans Need inspiration? Consider this story about Omar Shekhey , a Somali-American cab driver who founded and runs the nonprofit  Somali American Community Center , based in Clarkston, Georgia. The Center works to help refugees integrate and adjust to life in the United States through programs and services addressing social adjustment, education, health, and advocacy. Its services help refugees find housing, obtain food, and navigate the immigration process. With after-school programs for youth, the Center also provides assistance with homework, builds math and reading skills, and helps refugee students successfully integrate into the American school system.  

Seeking Reconciliation

Many of us must confront having been harmed, either directly or through a history of harms done to our family or people. There is a choice to be made: to exact revenge, or to seek justice and reconciliation. By separating the deed from the whole person, we can begin to forge connections and to heal. Empathy can arise when we acknowledge that we might have acted in a negative way under the same circumstances, or by recognizing that people are multidimensional and can change and grow.

Below is a poignant example, of someone who chose to honor his fallen family members by forgiving their murderers. The Forgiveness Project has gathered additional stories of victims and perpetrators who have traveled on the path toward forgiveness and reconciliation in an effort to encourage people to consider alternatives to resentment, retaliation, and revenge. The Community Tool Box section on Forgiveness and Reconciliation  explores these journeys in more depth.

Father Romain’s Story Romain Ruringarwa is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. He was away at school, studying to be a priest, when the genocide broke out. He returned to his village to find his parents, all eight of his siblings, and many other family members slaughtered by neighbors whom they had lived with throughout his life. He himself had to hide for several months in the bushes with other youth struggling to survive and avoid the carnage. In facing his deep loss, his heart would often fill with an intense anger. At night, he would console himself by looking up at the stars hanging so brightly above him in the open air, and thinking of them being members of his family shining above him, a blanket of light and love keeping a safe watch over him. He would get himself to sleep by recounting the many rich stories they would tell him and the other children in the village about the stars. As Romain thought of his family, all he could remember was people who were full of love, not just for him but for others as well. They made every effort to help their neighbors. When thoughts of revenge came in waves upon him, he felt that such feelings drove away memories of his family. As he weighed the future before him, he made a choice. He would honor his family, not by revenge – acting in kind in the same fashion as those who had committed such horrible deeds – but instead by compassion and working toward peace and reconciliation in the tradition of his family. It was in many ways the harder choice; but it has been deeply fulfilling, as it keeps their memories alive and offers hope for a better future. (Source: Presentation, Trinitarian Congregational Church, Concord, MA, May 9, 2007.)

Advancing Peace in Community Building

Under this heading are some practical steps you can take to develop and promote peace in your community or region, and more examples you can draw upon for inspiration. We start with some peace-building actions one can take among neighbors, then consider what one can do to strengthen school programs and workplace initiatives, and lastly suggest ways to support policies that promote peace in your broader community.

Working with Neighbors

Peace with neighbors starts with broader understanding. Simple actions can further such understanding. These can include holding interfaith discussions, organizing films or guest speakers to showcase approaches to peacebuilding, and gathering with neighbors to identify local issues and opportunities.

Residents in local peace groups, whether organized independently or through schools or faith-based organizations, magnify individual efforts by identifying local issues in their community and tying these to an understanding of national and global issues of peace and justice. The phrase “Think globally, act locally!” applies here in crafting your efforts. Below are some activities groups have engaged in to advance peace:

Interfaith Events. One of the most rewarding methods for building community peace can be participation in interfaith gatherings and efforts to end religious intolerance. These types of events vary widely, and include small discussion groups; after-school programs where local youth can meet students from different religions; community gatherings to celebrate unity; and calls for greater religious tolerance issued jointly by diverse religious leaders.

For example, in the wake of 9/11, three women neighbors in New York City – one Muslim, one Christian, and one Jewish – launched what they called a “Faith Club” to discuss their respective religions. It changed their lives. They wrote a book about the experience that has led to Faith Clubs arising in many cities. You can start your own faith club .

At a broader level, many communities and states have interfaith councils or similar collaborating organizations. Such efforts are important, as U.S. law enforcement reported over 6,000 hate crimes motivated by bias in 2014. In Birmingham, Alabama for example, a multi-faith, multi-racial organization called Greater Birmingham Ministries was established to pursue peace and justice in their community. It engages “the poor and the non-poor in systemic change efforts to build a strong, supportive, engaged community and pursue a more just society for all people. To do so, it unites people across racial, economic, political, and social identities to build working relationships among faith communities, businesses, civic groups, and social service networks.”

Among the Ministries’ partners is the Council on American-Islamic Relations , with whom it joins to condemn terrorism and anti-Muslim sentiments. CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Peace Gatherings. Whether organizing a local community peace vigil, or larger symposia at universities or major international gatherings, it is important to gather together to advocate and showcase support for peace. In communities strained by conflict, bringing diverse people together to advance peace can offer powerful opportunities for healing and moving forward, as witnessed in events ranging from Healing Conversations to End a Culture of Violence and Intolerance  in Harlem, NY to marathons for Peace in Iraq .

Working with Schools

 Whether as a student, parent, teacher, administrator, policymaker, or community member, there are any number of creative and powerful ways to support schools to effectively advance peace. Many effective models can be drawn upon. These can be embedded in the design of school systems, initiatives targeted to local needs and assets, ethics and peace curricula, and other services. Elements in school system design can start within a school's mission and vision and then range anywhere from graduation requirements (e.g., a minimum number of volunteer hours before graduation) to a disciplinary system based on restorative justice.

As examples, Quaker schools commonly provide a model of supporting students to follow a spiritual and ethical commitment to peace. The mission of the Friends Academy in Locust Valley, NY, emphasizes that “Global citizenship at Friends is rooted in the understanding that ‘the peoples of the world are one people, enriched by individual differences and united by a common bond of humanity.’ ” The stated philosophy behind the Cambridge Friends School includes being a “learning community that chooses...peaceful resolution of conflict over aggression.”

Bullying. Many schools and states have adopted policies and programs to specifically address the problem of bullying, a form of aggression that can entail verbal, physical, and/or cyber (social media) means to harm others. A review of the nature, extent, and prevention of bullying conducted by Dr. Rashmi Shetgiri, of the Dallas Children’s Hospital, offers several insights (Shetgiri, 2013). Of concern is the widespread extent of bullying and that both bullies and victims are at high risk for negative short- and long-term consequences. Dr. Shetgiri calls on clinicians to play a role in identifying bullies and victims, evaluating them for developmental conditions that might be risk factors, and providing resources and referrals as necessary.

Effective bullying interventions embrace the entire school to create a culture of safety and support, engage and train teachers and parents, and are of enduring intensity and duration. Researchers have found that many types of less intensive anti-bullying programs that at first glance seemed promising resulted in only slight decreases in bullying and victimization. They caution that programs focusing solely on individuals and outreach to peers can even backfire (see Jeong & Lee, 2013 and Farrington & Ttofi, 2009).

Guidance and evidence-based approaches to addressing bullying are also available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on its website: Stopbullying.gov . In addition, this website offers Bullying Prevention Training Modules, with tools and resources to organize effective prevention efforts in your community.

Restorative Justice. Public and private schools of all types are also adopting systems of restorative justice. Punishing and excluding students who violate school rules or harm others may be counterproductive, in that these actions can lead to further alienation and lack of opportunities; they may also hinder education, ultimately leading such children to higher rates of future incarceration.

In contrast, restorative justice has been very effective at improving school safety and safeguarding the futures of young people. It keeps students who conduct offenses in school, ensuring their accountability through restitution, and deals with underlying issues while supporting victims. Many schools use talking circles to bring together students, parents, faculty, and administrators to discuss and address incidents, with written commitments to resolve the harm.

In the words of Fania Davis, Director of Restorative Justice Oakland Youth, “This is a justice that is not about getting even, but about getting well. A justice that is not a battle ground but a healing ground. A justice that seeks to transform broken lives, relationships, and communities rather than damage them further."

In the aftermath of the well-publicized shootings in Columbine, the state of Colorado tried instituting a zero-tolerance school policy for youth who committed offenses, with mandatory expulsions. But they found this policy did not work, and only exacerbated problems among students.       Watch this video to learn why some schools have turned instead to restorative justice for more effective solutions.

Youth as Leaders. How educational approaches are designed can be as important as implementation. Engaging students, families, and faculty in choosing, adapting, and/or designing the approach and in selecting materials makes those materials more likely to be locally relevant and culturally appropriate, and facilitates strong buy-in and momentum.

Students themselves do not just present risks; they are valuable leaders and allies in promoting peace. As a first step to engage youth in peace-building, rather than simply holding an event and hoping that youth will join what you have planned, go to them first and see how you can build upon their interests and ideas. You may be surprised by the resources they offer.

Bookmakers and Dreamers The sky is the limit in youth creativity and energy, as demonstrated by youth in the Groton/Dunstable school district in Massachusetts. Forming a Bookmakers and Dreamers Club , these young people, many from families in military service, decided they wanted to learn how to promote peace. They then launched a project to create the world's largest book, with peace as its topic. Working over many years to accomplish that goal, they were supported by a committed teacher, Betsy Sawyer, who helped them enlist others across the community. Parents, businesses, and area universities contributed expertise and resources. The students gathered advice from hundreds of peace leaders, including Nobel Peace Laureates, to include in their book. Using new technology to print and turn the pages of such a large volume, the completed book has been showcased at the United Nations and other venues. The Club has also launched community peace events; for one event, they invited 9/11 first responders from New York City, who came and referred many times to the importance of educating young leaders who can contribute to a more peaceful future. In a related and widely-publicized effort, the Groton students also accepted the invitation of young persons in the Afghan Peace Volunteers to engage in peace discussions held via Skype conference calls. That initiative changed the lives of students, several of whom have now graduated and are pursuing careers advancing peace. It also sparked important dialogue across the community on the importance of peace-building as a response to conflict.

Several additional models and resources for promoting peace are available on the Peaceful Tomorrows and the Charter for Compassion websites. Schools can sign the Charter for Compassion and join others in shared commitment and resource-sharing. In addition, The Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values at MIT, teaming up with The WGBH Educational Foundation , has gathered many resources for teaching ethics. Also, the Teaching Tolerance Project offers free lessons, videos, toolkits, and other resources to promote tolerance and inclusivity in the classroom.

Committing Your Organization or Business

Peace-building also involves awareness of the needs and assets of those in your group or organization, along with those in the community where you live or provide services. Devote time to how you may address those needs and build upon existing assets.

As one case in point, important models and guidance for businesses to address domestic violence, many of which can be applied to other forms of violence, are profiled in the workbook Interrupting the Cycle of Violence: Addressing Domestic Violence through the Workplace . Compiled by a team of employers, researchers, public health specialists, and battered women service providers, the workbook outlines strategies including assessing those at risk, providing supports, and working with one’s community, through which “every organization can make a difference.”

To relate this to your own situation, consider the following questions:

• What is your organization’s commitment to social responsibility and community service?
• Does it include a stated policy that focuses on promoting peace, and implementing that commitment, in your own community setting?
• What partnerships do you engage in to support peace and prosperity in your home community?

By exploring these questions, you are likely to find ways to strengthen both your organization and your community impact. Many businesses, large and small, are realizing that a commitment to social responsibility not only contributes to strengthening communities, but also raises employee satisfaction and even increases the bottom line.

Some Examples of Business Leadership There are several ways that businesses have advanced peace in local and even in international contexts. One is to provide job opportunities for local youth during summer months – this is a proven strategy to reduce local crime and provide community advancement. Beyond that: Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company has been a leader in social responsibility , including initiatives specifically focused on advancing peace. These include launching a nonprofit, 1% for Peace, whose focus is a campaign to divert funds from the military to civilian uses. They have also partnered with the organization Peace One Day, to support the development of nonviolence and conflict-resolution curriculum materials used in U.S. schools. They have joined as well with the Peace Alliance and the Student Peace Alliance to support peace-building legislation, such as the Youth Promise Act. Business leaders have also acted to maintain and strengthen community unity, for instance by refusing to ostracize and discriminate in ways that can divide a community. In Indiana and Arizona, many businesses have joined together to take a stand against discrimination based on sexual orientation . Healthcare Without Harm provides an example of proactive organizational commitments to live peaceably with their neighbors by safeguarding environmental health. This initiative promotes best practices to protect the quality of local air, water, and land, encouraging healthcare facilities to consider their impacts not only on the health of staff and patients, but on host communities as well. This conscientiousness is one way to secure the safety of a community, including safety from the threat of chemical accidents such as the devastating 1984 incident in Bhopal, India, which killed several thousand persons and injured over 500,000 (Varma & Varma, 2005).

Community Civic Leadership

A strong community is one that has integrated a commitment to advancing peace throughout its systems, policies, and initiatives. A strong partnership across sectors – including community agencies, local organizations, and businesses – underlies many peace-building efforts. Any such efforts should be shaped and driven by the contributions of community residents, which require early engagement and capacity-building to maximize their participation and leadership. Below are some examples of community initiatives that exemplify peace-building in innovative ways:

Community Safety

An important focal area of policy to stem violence is policing and the criminal justice system. The U.S. is presently incarcerating over 1,500,000 people, a larger percentage of national population than any other country in the world. We must begin to realize that imprisonment is not where the solution lies. Being “tough” on crime is not necessarily being effective in reducing it. Many alternative models work to bring communities together to reduce violence.

One effective model program for communities is the Advancement Project . Activists working in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, once infamous for gang violence, have worked with residents and all sectors of the community to drastically improve community safety; they have had tremendous success. A few key elements of their approach include:

• Engaging police with youth and other residents to dismantle the “us” versus “them” viewpoints, and instead working together for the community.
• Bringing in all residents and partners into this effort. A priority has been ensuring the safety of all children. As children walk to and from school, community organizations of all descriptions open their doors, with staff standing outside to ensure safe passage. Even former gang members have joined in as escorts through particularly dangerous neighborhoods.
• Learning from residents about their community – what facilitates violence, and where are dangerous hotspots? In Watts, the City had built a new library and playground to improve a very high crime area, yet residents did not use them. The Project learned from residents that the area still had vacant lots, broken street lamps, and a liquor store with couches outside, all fostering crime. By working with the liquor store, the Project helped clean up the area, making it much safer; as a result, the playground and library are now well used.

Restorative Justice

Restorative justice programs , mentioned above in the contexts of school delinquency, can also be applied to criminal justice as an alternative to incarceration. In a community context, restorative justice works proactively to promote safety across the community. It emphasizes aiding and protecting those who have been harmed, and requires restitution by responsible parties, effectively engaging them to become constructive members of society.

To be most successful, restorative justice strengthens civic participation. This can include promoting truthful crime reporting and testimony, participation in jury duty, identification of factors that facilitate or impede crimes, and other forms of public engagement. As proven crime reduction practices are adopted, safety improves.

Mass Violence

Domestic incidents of mass violence in community settings are defined as those in which three or more persons are killed. Such incidents occur almost daily in the United States; according to the American Public Health Association, over 350 incidents were reported in 2015 alone. Some factors associated with such incidents include terrorism, mental illness, and gang violence. Each is discussed below.

Terrorism . Terrorism has been a factor in relatively few, if high impact, cases of mass violence. The Department of Homeland Security is engaged in a number of initiatives to advance community safety. Among these are:

• National Network of Fusion Centers , which gather, centralize, analyze, and share threat-related information among federal government, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.
• Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative , which entails coordination with the Department of Justice to report, track, and provide information “in a manner that rigorously protects the privacy and civil liberties of Americans.”

Domestic terrorism has been perpetuated by extremist individuals and groups of different backgrounds. It is vital to distinguish violent extremists from the religions they claim to represent. The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing was conducted by an individual claiming to be protecting Christian principles. Those responsible for the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013 claimed to be protecting Islamic societies. Yet the vast majority of Christians and Muslims do not condone violence, and their adherents and leaders are great allies in combatting domestic terrorism.

Hate crimes against Muslims (as well as those mistaken for Muslim, such as Sikhs), have risen dramatically following terrorist incidents. In the year of the September 11 attacks, the FBI reported 481 anti-Muslim hate crimes; similar spikes have continued to occur. Communities can anticipate and help forestall these responses by educating their residents and holding interfaith activities to help prevent hate crimes and heal communities in the wake of incidents that may arise. Political leaders can also help stem violence through their messaging; after the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush reminded us that “Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others. Ours is a country based upon tolerance and we welcome people of all faiths in America.” (Remarks to reporters by George W. Bush, Washington, DC, November 13, 2002)

Mental illness . It is often assumed that perpetrators of mass violence suffer from mental health disorders. However, the American Psychological Association (APA) has noted that the vast majority of those suffering from a mental illness are not dangerous; rather it is a history of violence that poses the greatest risk factor for further such acts (see text on domestic violence, above).

Nevertheless, the APA advocates the following, which you can support in your community:

• Greater access to mental health treatment for those at risk for violence due to mental illness, suicidal thoughts, or feelings of desperation.
• Behavioral threat assessment as a standard of care for preventing violence in schools, colleges, in the workplace, and against government and other public officials. In such assessment, teams gather and analyze information to assess whether a person poses a threat of violence or self-harm, and if so, outline steps to intervene.
• Firearms prohibitions for high-risk groups – domestic violence offenders, persons convicted of violent misdemeanors, and those with mental illness who have been judged to be a threat to themselves or others.
• Early childhood programs to help parents raise emotionally healthy children, along with efforts to identify and intervene with troubled individuals who are threatening violence.
• Collaborative problem-solving models that bring together various community service systems, which may too often operate in isolation. One example is mental health crisis intervention training for police and other community service providers.
• Extensive public health campaigns on firearms safety, as expanded upon just below.

Firearms safety . 30,000 people die annually from firearms injuries in the United States; these were the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 34 ( Gunderson, 1999 as cited by WHO ). The American Public Health Association (APHA) considers gun violence to be an epidemic that can be solved, as with Ebola or other public health threats, given adequate research and resources. While firearms policies are hotly debated, the evidence is clear that gun ownership does not ensure family safety. According to researchers from the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control , those living in households with guns are at significantly greater risk of dying from homicide or suicide, even when these households have similar characteristics and live in similar neighborhoods.

The application of a public health approach is at the heart of the initiative Cure Violence , which has reduced shootings 41% to 73% in seven communities studied. Just as in disease outbreaks, hotspot areas are identified. One intervention has been to enlist former gang members, or others with credibility and access, to quell potential outbreaks of violence before they erupt, and to support members in transitioning out of gang activity. Information on these and other well-researched models (also focusing beyond the problem of gang violence, such as removing firearms from domestic violence offenders) is available at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research .

Additional firearms safety policies recommended by the APA and APHA include:

• Licensing of handgun purchasers
• Background check requirements for all gun sales
• Close oversight of retail gun sellers to reduce the diversion of guns to criminals
• Increased availability of data and funding to reduce gun violence through all available interventions, including those from the legal, public health, public safety, community, and health systems. (At this writing, a Congressional ban limits federally-sponsored research into gun violence, forcing researchers to seek private or academic funding. Finding ways to support research on gun violence impact and on promising solutions is another area where one can actively promote peace . )

Gang violence . Gang violence is a specific problem emerging in rural as well as urban areas. According to the Office of Justice Programs at the U.S. Department of Justice (OJJDP), gang violence peaked towards the end of the 1990s but has been rising again in recent years.

The Department recommends that communities conduct a gang-problem assessment as a first step, offering A Guide to Assessing Your Community’s Youth Gang Problem to help answer:

• Who is involved in gang-related activity? – and what is the history of current gangs?
• Where is gang-related activity primarily occurring?
• What crimes are these individuals committing?
• When are these crimes being committed?
• Why is the criminal activity happening (e.g., individual conflicts, gang feuds, gang members acting on their own)?

This type of assessment is important to identify youth gangs and youth who are at greatest risk of joining. Keep in mind that counter to stereotypes, youth engaged in gangs are of diverse race, ethnicity, and gender, with studies cited by OJJDP estimating that almost half of gang members are girls.           

Gang violence prevention activities recommended by OJJDP focus on:

• Primary prevention – the effort to prevent youth from joining a gang targeted to all adolescents. OJJDP has shown that “youth join gangs for protection, enjoyment, respect, money, or because a friend is in a gang.”
• Intervention strategies aimed at youth who exhibit risk factors for gang participation. These factors fall under the realm of individual, family, school, peer, and community risks. Youth are at higher risk of joining a gang if they “engage in delinquent behaviors, are aggressive or violent, experience multiple caretaker transitions, have many problems at school, associate with other gang-involved youth, or live in communities where they feel unsafe and where many youths are in trouble.”
• Suppression strategies that clamp down on gang activity through increased policing have also been used. However, the OJJDP notes that these strategies have not been proven to be effective. They instead emphasize that “Intervention strategies that address risk and protective factors at or slightly before the developmental points at which they begin to predict later gang involvement and other problem behaviors, are more likely to be effective.” (Institute of Medicine, 2008 as cited by OJJDP )

The OJJDP also offers a Model Programs Guide as an “online tool that offers a database of evidence-based, scientifically-proven programs that address a range of issues, including substance use, mental health, and education...” To prevent youth from joining gangs , the ODJJP advises that communities emphasize the following tasks:

Some Actions to Prevent Gang Formation Strengthen families. Review and soften school “zero tolerance” policies, to reduce suspensions and expulsions. Ensure that punitive sanctions target delinquent gang behaviors, not gang apparel, signs, and symbols. Provide tutoring for students who are performing poorly in school. Provide a center for youth recreation and referrals for services and after-school programs. Provide gang awareness, conflict mediation, and other skills training for school personnel, parents, and students. Provide interpersonal skills training to students to help resolve conflicts.

Peace Commissions

Learn if your community has a Peace Commission (or similar institution) specifically dedicated to peace promotion, and, if so, see how you can get involved. If not, assist in forming one. Their aims are to involve local citizens in reducing or preventing conflict by protecting and promoting human rights, ensuring ethnic and interfaith harmony, and encouraging understanding through education on cultural differences.

One model of a particularly active peace commission is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Cambridge Peace Commission works in three main areas:

• Addressing violence and promoting peace in the community
• Supporting diversity, building connections and relationships, and recognizing peacemakers
• Connecting with the community and the wider world

Toward these ends, the Commission coordinates responses to traumatic events and violence affecting Cambridge. It emphasizes building trust and relationships among diverse community residents through events such as community conversations and vigils. Over the years it has also sponsored many programs and events to foster peace and has worked with other communities worldwide.

Sister Cities

Establishing relationships with other communities can also be a powerful path to peace. There are currently 545 communities engaged in a Sister City program . Sister Cities International is a central coordinating body for those efforts, whose mission is “to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time.”

These are just a few among many local community actions to promote peace. See the resource listings at the end of this section to explore more possibilities.

Preventing War and Terror: Merging Realism with Hope

It is important to be realistic about the severe challenges to peace in this world and to be prepared for the serious commitment required to face them. Nevertheless, there are proven and effective means of advancing peace to help us take on these challenges. Even one simple action can make a tremendous difference. By merging realism with hope we can move forward to a more peaceful tomorrow.

Researchers have noted that despite the common perceptions that the world is a more violent place, much evidence points rather to a decline in both individual and social violence over time. The book The Better Angels of Our Nature  by Steven Pinker documents these trends, laying out many elements that have advanced peaceful coexistence. In general, he notes that our civilizations and societies have evolved toward a greater respect for human rights, acceptance of human diversity, and the development of systems of civil society that help resolve conflict.

Pinker acknowledges that although this progress can regress, and has regressed in many regions, strong forces remain at work to re-establish better-functioning societies, even in the most extreme instances of collapse. Among these is the force of the majority who want peace, no matter what the context.

Just as individuals must choose their own productive path forward, rather than succumbing to fear and hatred, so do we face this choice as a larger society. In this nuclear age, where scenarios of “mutually assured destruction” have emerged, it is reasonable to question whether a more powerful military force offers greater security or greater risks to humanity. Warfare over time has become increasingly destructive, including not only direct loss of life, but also long-term, even irrevocable, damage to the environment upon which we all depend.

As we build ever more powerful weapons with leaps in technological sophistication, we must develop even more powerful means of avoiding their use. So let us consider some of the forces that lead to global instability, along with those that build the foundation for peace, and suggest how you can play a part in shoring up the latter:

Conflict Resolution

Conflict Resolution is a central alternative to warfare. The notion that we can destroy our enemies and even “win” a war is important to question in this age of terrorism. War and terrorism can now extend beyond the bounds of the battlefield and into every corner of our communities. The casualties are predominantly civilians, not soldiers, and very frequently are women and children.

Strengthening Civil Societies

An effective counter to terrorism and other forms of conflict is to strengthen civil societies . The rule of law is a civilizing force that unites members of society to advance productively together. War and terror stress societies, setting in motion a downward spiral. Every societal effort needs to be made to strengthen communities and social structures in accordance with local values and the protection of essential human rights. Three good examples follow:

La’Onf  Much of what we learn in the media about Iraq is about violence. However, the ­Iraqi civil society organization La'Onf (which means “no violence” in Arabic) is a network of Iraqi activists building a nonviolent movement to resist occupation, terrorism, and corruption in Iraq. We need to promote awareness of organizations such as La'Onf, to remind ourselves that the seeds of peace can find fertile ground in all corners of the world.       Lessons of the Hibakusha  To the Hibakusha, there is no greater mission than to raise worldwide awareness that there are no winners in a nuclear confrontation. The Hibakusha are those few who survived the nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in which hundreds of thousands of civilians died in a matter of hours. Their advocacy has played an important role in the major nuclear powers steadily reducing their arsenals. They continue to warn that we must never lessen our vigilance over the threat of nuclear weaponry. As more nations claim their perceived rights and needs to develop such weapons, the Hibakusha have redoubled their efforts to diminish this ultimate threat. Mayors for Peace  One opportunity to help in the Hibakusha’s efforts is to encourage your community to join Mayors for Peace . Formed in 1982, the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki called on mayors around the world "to transcend national borders" and "work together to press for nuclear abolition." As of August 1, 2015, membership stood at 6,779 cities in 161 countries and regions.

Below are three additional pillars to support the development and maintenance of international peace:

Committing to Nonviolence

Nonviolence is central to stemming conflict while effectively advancing positive social and political change. We can easily draw upon many role models who have been committed to nonviolent principles and who have made a tremendous impact on the world stage.

For example, Mahatma Gandhi stands in history as among the most famous proponents of nonviolence, managing to overcome centuries of British occupation in India through nonviolent means. Martin Luther King, Jr. followed these tenets as he led the civil rights movement in pursuit of his dream of a future where when "all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! "

Beyond Gandhi and King, among current practitioners are members of the Nonviolent Peaceforce , comprised of unarmed civilians who enter regions where violence may or has erupted, to foster dialogue among parties in conflict and to provide a protective presence for threatened civilians. The Nonviolent Peaceforce has been so effective at ensuring and re-establishing peace in regions of conflict that the United Nations has recommended that “Unarmed strategies must be at the forefront of UN efforts to protect civilians.”

It is tempting to assume that a military response to violent conflict is needed. Yet a 15-member panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, which spent 7 months circling the globe reviewing present operations and seeking new strategies, emphasized nonviolent approaches. Its 2015 Report of the UN High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations concluded: “Missions should make every effort to harness or leverage the non-violent practices and capabilities of local communities and non-governmental organizations to support the creation of a protective environment.”

In addition, Ramos Horta, the Panel Chair and former President of Timor-Leste , has supported this nonviolent approach, asserting: “The world is changing and U.N. peace operations must change if they are to remain an indispensable and effective tool in promoting international peace and security.”

Hundreds of other organizations around the world are committed to nonviolent means of stabilizing regions in conflict. To learn about, and contribute to their efforts, explore the Peace & Development Collaborative Network .

Educating for Peace

We need peace education , from early education through graduate programs in universities. The Charter for Compassion is working toward this end, with a growing number of school partners from across the world committed to the principles of compassion. National Peace Academies and Peace Institutes also now exist in Canada, Costa Rica, Romania, Spain, and the United States.

Investing in Peace

We must also invest in peace . This includes establishing “Departments of Peace,” not just departments of war, and devoting more resources toward promoting peace rather than towards developing militias.

The Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructures for Peace works toward this goal. Four Ministries of Peace have been established as of this posting – in Costa Rica, Nepal, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea – while the South Sudan, Philippines, and Kyrgyzstan have Offices of Peace at the highest levels of government. Such institutions can strengthen international laws and systems of justice that can assure enforcement of human rights.

International assistance also must be directed toward laying the economic foundations for peace. The United States spends only 1.4% of its annual budget on foreign aid; almost one-third of that is for military assistance. Spending within the domestic budget is even more heavily weighted toward the military; for fiscal year 2015, the U.S. invested 16% of its total budget, and 54% of its discretionary budget, in direct military expenditures (not including veterans benefits and other related costs), yet only 3% on education. This has a tremendous impact on all our communities in terms of quality of life and community security.

Emerging Issues

We must prioritize peace as we strive to co-exist on this small and ever more vulnerable planet. As concluded by the U.S. Department of Defense , climate change will put us to the test as never before, as mass migrations from densely populated coastal areas are likely to occur due to sea level rise, and regions will be faced with food, drinking water, and resource depletion. Barricading our borders and employing military solutions to the conflicts projected to arise are destined to fail us. Instead, we need to proactively seek solutions across borders to address environmental and social challenges, strengthen civil society, and foster international collaboration.

To learn more, explore the resources of the  University for Peace  on Climate Change, Water Stress, Conflict, and Migration. Located in Costa Rica, this university was established under UN mandate to promote best practices in conflict prevention and mitigation. The Community Tool Box also plans to develop materials with guidance on climate change.

Challenges and Questions for Reflection

Let us first consider some of the challenges to peace-building in our communities. Below are some that can easily take root. Think about what you have encountered personally and in your communities. What have you found that worked to address those challenges?

Fear: Looking at others as primarily a source of harm. Being insular, without risking or reaching out to others.

Ignorance: Confusing adherence to one's own beliefs and faith with a call to be intolerant of others who have different beliefs and practices. Is the letter or the spirit of the faith teachings most important?

Hatred: Feeling that one's own value depends upon diminishing another person’s. Confusing retribution with justice. Not looking for connections among peoples.

Greed: Many use the premise of “survival of the fittest” as a justification for growing and protecting one's own wealth while allowing others to live in destitution. The “military-industrial complex,” as coined by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, is a real and growing threat to peace. Military expenditures continue to top those for all other sectors in the United States and many other nations.

The “Military Industrial Complex” As he left office in 1960, President Eisenhower , also a general who witnessed the war machine from the deepest inner circles, warned: We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together... We pray that…in the goodness of time all peoples will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the binding force of mutual respect and love.

Reflection Questions

Here is a simple gauge you can use to assess whether you are following the principles of peace – advancing the “mutual respect and love that President Eisenhower envisioned – and to find areas for improvement. Look around and see who is at the table – whether it is your table at home, or the tables you belong to at work, school, faith-based organizations, governmental, or other settings. Then consider:

• Is everyone in the affected community represented?
• Who drives decisions?
• Are they just?
• Do they benefit the greatest possible number of people?
• Do they foster connections?
• Do they lead toward peace and better quality of life?

How Can Challenges and Issues Best be Addressed?

While many peace-building strategies have been discussed, on an individual level much of the work of promoting peace comes down to focusing on the following:

• Bring people together , even those who have traditionally been at odds.
• Consider how you can extend your efforts even further, to engage new partnerships, collaborative efforts, and populations.
• View all persons as potential assets that can enrich the community.
• Tie your local work to the larger world community , taking advantage of the increasing ability to connect with communities across the globe.

In our media and entertainment, as well as in our political spheres, we are surrounded by those who emphasize sensationalism and violence. This can feed personal dislike, anger, or even “hate” for a group of people we may hear are taking our jobs, corrupting the nation, or threatening us with destruction. It can lead us to throw up our hands and say that nothing can be done in such a world.

Yet, returning to the beginning of this section, listen instead to the voices of peace, from the youth in Afghanistan to those in each of our own communities. They can help us find hope through the simple solution of extending a hand in friendship.

Promoting peace is not a solitary activity. We are joined in the effort by the vast majority of people in the world who yearn for peace, and work to live together peaceably. For those times when you may find yourself overwhelmed, there is a saying beautifully voiced by the musical group Sweet Honey in the Rock: “Drops of water turn a mill, singly none, singly none.” If we keep moving forward step by step, together we will carve out the path toward peace dreamed of by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., alongside so many others.

From finding peace within one's life to demonstrating the greatest compassion and commitment to social justice, extending the principles and the practice of peace to others can guide us to a richer, more secure coexistence. We at the Community Tool Box, in cooperation with the Charter for Compassion and September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, welcome and encourage each of you to further this vision, and to find ways to implement it in your lives, in your communities, and in our world.

Contributor Terry Greene

Editors Bill Berkowitz Barbara Kerr

Terry Greene is a member of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows  whose brother, Donald F. Greene, died aboard United Flight 93. She is a Public Health Consultant and Cambridge Peace Commission honoree who lives in Massachusetts.

Online Resources

The Albert Einstein Institution is a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Gene Sharp in 1983 to advance the study and use of strategic nonviolent action in conflicts throughout the world.

• 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action
• How Nonviolent Struggle Works
• On Strategic Nonviolent Conflict

General Sources: Paths toward Peace

• The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
• Charter for Compassion
• Conflict Prevention: A Toolbox to Respond to Conflicts and Build Peace
• The Global Alliance for Ministries: an Infrastructure for Peace
• The Karuna Center for Peacebuilding
• The King Center
• Mayors for Peace
• The National Peace Academy
• The Peace & Development Collaborative Network
• The Restorative Justice Project
• September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
• United for Peace and Justice

Faith-based and Interfaith Readings

• The Faith Club
• Not in God's Name: Making Sense of Religious Conflict

Healing and Reconciliation

• The Forgiveness Project
• The Institute of Memories
• Parents Circle Family Forum
• Facing History and Ourselves
• The Karuna Center
• PBS Transformative Teachers
• Peaceful Tomorrows Resources for Educators
• The Restorative Schools Vision Project
• Teaching Tolerance
• University for Peace

Military Spending

• The National Priorities Project

Print Resources

Farrington, D. P., & Ttofi, M. M. (2009). How to reduce school bullying, Victims and  Offenders , 4, 321-326.

Hartsough, D. (2014). Waging Peace. Oakland, CA: PM Press.

Idliby R., Oliver, S., & Warner, P. (2006). The faith club: A Muslim, A Christian, a Jew – three women search for understanding. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2006.

Jeong, S., & Lee, B. H. (2013). A multilevel examination of peer victimization and bullying preventions in schools,” Journal of Criminology , Vol. 2013, 10 pages. Article ID 735397.

Shetgiri, R. (2013). Bullying and victimization among children. Advances in Pediatrics, 60 (1), 33–51.

Solomon, S. (2010). Water: The epic struggle for wealth, power, and civilization. New York: HarperCollins.

Varma, R., & Varma, D. R. (2005). The Bhopal disaster of 1984.  Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society , 25 (1), 37-45.

Voice of Salam

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12 Simple principles to build peace in your community

If you switch on the TV news, open the newspaper or click onto a popular news website, there’s always news about a terrorist attack, war, ongoing conflict and a general lack of peace amongst different groups of people. In an increasingly globalised world, we should understand each other better, stand ever more united and strive for peace. Sadly, the truth is quite the opposite. There’s conflict in Israel/Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, all over the world in fact…

As individuals and citizens, how do we deal with this? How does this relate to us? How can we make positive changes to enable us to live in peace? Well, I’m not an expert in diplomacy or international relations and this is a blog not a thesis, so I’m not going to go into the deep depths of peace keeping and international politics, but I’d just like to reflect on a key few principles that we can follow to help make the world a better place. Inspired by a recent conference I went to on terrorism and peace building last March hosted by Uniting for Peace  including President Vijay Mehta’s piece on “Ten Ways to Stop Terrorism”, here’s my take on community peace building.

Now, you may be thinking: “How can we  honestly make a difference?” Well the reality is that change really does start at home folks! If we build strong united communities, we can fight hate crime, racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia and take a stand against divisive politics. These are real issues which work their way up from the bottom. If we fight toxic narratives, common misconceptions and negative stereotypes, the media and politicians lose their power to drive communities apart, scapegoat groups and divide people. Ultimately, that’s where conflict starts and that’s what war is – a lack of peace, tolerance, understanding, compassion and ability to live alongside others…

Rule #1: Treat others the way you wish to be treated

The good old Golden Rule says it all: empathy, tolerance and peace. This principle teaches you to love yourself and love others. It spans cultures and faiths and is a universal age old concept which can’t fail! For information on the golden rule across various faiths see  here .

Rule #2: Listen to hear what others have to say, not to speak

Engage in dialogue with an open mind and the real will  to listen to others. Only then will you be able to understand each other and build bridges. Change cannot happen and peace cannot be established if people are unable to communicate with others; to listen to their experiences and views and show empathy, understanding and compassion.

Rule #3: Accept difference of opinion

We all have different opinions and we may not all agree on the same things. Building compromise and mutual understanding is incredibly important. Sometimes we simply need to agree to disagree and recognise that there are different beliefs and forms of expression other than our own.

Rule #4: Do not fight violence with violence 

Violence is never the answer. Peace can only be brought through free will, dialogue, empathy and forgiveness. Do not stoop to same level as someone who is violent and therefore continue the vicious cycle. This does not change anything.

Rule #5: Fight extremism in all its forms

Do not categorise terrorism as a religious phenomena and single out or stereotype certain groups of people. Extremism is a human “disease” which can take many forms.  All  forms of extremism and hatred must be fought in unity as a community or else further division and conflict will arise.

Rule #6: Accept that identity is fluid 

Any one person can have multiple aspects to their identity. Identity comprises many elements such as nationality, cultural-linguistic origin, age and religious beliefs. Identity can and does change, taking on many new forms and means of personal expression as we learn new languages, move home, adopt new beliefs, marry into a different tradition and experience life! Do not put people into a box. Avoid categorising people according to an  us vs. them narrative and remember: we are all singular individuals with unique experiences. Such approaches and narratives are highly divisive and unproductive.

Rule #7:  Avoid stereotypes 

Take people for the individuals they are. Avoid misconceptions, stereotypes and toxic narratives and get to know a person instead. This will avoid offence, misunderstandings and ultimately help you to create a real bond with others based on true understanding, empathy and trust. After all, no one likes to be judged – especially from the outside.

Rule #8: Approach the media with  skepticism

Don’t just believe everything you see on the TV, in the newspapers or on the internet. Think objectively for yourself. Get to know the people and facts behind any story and don’t fall for media scapegoating. Stand united.

Rule #9: Be careful of the language you use

Your choice of language, alongside tone of voice and intonation all convey a message. Make sure that that message is positive. Be mindful of the language you use, avoiding anything with misogynistic, racist, Islamophobic, homophobic or anti-Semitic overtones. Do not underestimate the power of language – for better or for worse! And remember, it’s not always  what  you say, it’s  how  you say it.

Rule #10: Let go of the past

You can’t move on if you’re stuck in the past. Learn lessons but also learn to move forward for the greater good. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you agree with everything, it means you’re able to move on without grudges and resentment. Only in this way can communities heal and move forward  together .

Rule #11: Stand up for others – not just your own community

If we only fight prejudice and injustice against our own friends, family and community groups then we ultimately fail to protect the wider community and society as a whole. Discrimination, bigotry and prejudice know no boundaries. For a community to live in peace and harmony, everyone’s rights and freedoms must be respected.

Rule #12: Celebrate diversity: learn about and actively engage with those different to you

Learn about other communities, religions, nationalities and people. If you don’t learn about others, you’ll never understand them and therefore miss out on the opportunity to build bonds, friendships and common goals and interests. If you don’t  know  your neighbours, then how can you come together as a united community? Learn about other people and have fun. After all, d iversity is what makes the world so interesting!

So, there you have it. 12 simple principles to follow from the ground up to make the world a little more harmonious, understanding, tolerant and ultimately peaceful. Never think you can’t make a difference – you really can!

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11 replies to “12 simple principles to build peace in your community”.

very interesting saying and am much pleased

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That’s all people’s looking for

Hi Wish for mutual information correspondence

Hi thanks for getting in touch. How can I help?

Tanks For this life changing write up on peace. …. I really learned a lot…..

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GREAT Simple points to be Engaged in PEACE from where You Stand and Your Community Stands. Simple and NOT Complicated for Anyone and Everyone.

Thank you Greg! 🙂

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Promoting peace in the community

Home » Experience Journals » Facing Violence » Promoting peace in the community

We need to ensure young people can solve conflicts in many, many ways We need to ensure young people can solve conflicts in many, many ways. It is so important that we give young people examples of the ways that they can be powerful and the ways that they can show respect through peace. A young boy might think what it means to be a man is to be violent toward women, to exert force in order to show his masculinity or prove how powerful he is. So he thinks that to be the one who makes a decision or who’s in control, he has to use violence, and that’s what it means to be a man. If he has no other frame of reference, he has no other way of understanding himself in the world or understanding who he wants to be.

Colby Swettberg, Ed.M, LCSW

Creating communities of caring Anything that people can do to create a community of caring is going to make a difference. To know that there are people that they can go to if something is troubling them. To know that if the family is experiencing resource problems, there are systems in place to get them not just temporary assistance but back on a track to being able to provide for their family in a stable way. There are fragmented services, but if you pull them together in a more integrated fashion, they could really move things forward for a family. But often things come and go, an agency drops in and drops out, and it’s a burden on families to try to figure out how to juggle the different requirements of different agencies. There’s a lot that’s out there, but sometimes it’s hard to access because it’s not pulled together in a united and integrated way. If we start thinking about things as more of a connected network, we can what might be the strongest lever to pull in a child’s life to help them through the problems they’re experiencing related to just community violence.

Heidi Ellis, PhD

Starting with yourself When young people are making choices about living peacefully, they should first define who they want to be. Be a change they want to see. They should look at their own form of violence and start with themselves first. Do not look at other people, but worry about how they’re treating their sister and their brother and their classmates. They should define peace for themselves, and question and redefine the reality they believe in.

Ulric Johnson, PhD

See examples of who they could become in the world It’s about making sure that every young person can see examples of who they could become in the world. So there’s not just one way to be a man. There’s not just one way to be a woman, one way to be an adult. There are lots and lots of people. Who are you? Who do you want to be? Who are you today? Who do you aspire to be tomorrow? And look at all the different ways that people can connect with each other. And it’s not that you have to be an athlete or it’s not that you have to be a scholar or that there is one right way of being. It’s that all of these people have found ways to connect with one another and find their own voice and define their own success without having to use violence to get there. The conversation kind of boils down to those very basic values of diversity and love but we can carry those out in communities that are connected.

Finding something you want to do If young people find something they know that they want to do, then they can make sure every step they take is a step closer to that. For example, if you want to become a police officer, you can spend some of your time taking self-defense classes. Do whatever it is that brings you forward. A lot of teens I know are gang-involved or in and out of detention centers because they don’t know what they want to do, or they don’t have much to do. Keep them occupied with things that they want to do, like, “I’d rather work and get money than beat somebody up and go to jail.” I tell them, I understand you don’t want to do this, but once you finish this, you’ll be ten steps ahead of other people who aren’t doing anything. Violence is out there, and unless you find a way around it, it’ll come looking for you.

Anthony Febo, Teacher and Spoken Word Artist

Being a part of something positive Communities can help kids be safer by having more youth programs. You have teens showing other teens, “I’m doing something positive, you should come with me.” Community members can continue to support the programs that are trying to prevent violence with funding, and back us up when you see us trying to do things. Just encourage young people to be a part of something positive.

Masada Jones, Youth Leadership Coordinator at Lowell Community Health Center

Peacemaking is about stopping violence, and about not dehumanizing people There’s peacemaking that you happen to see hanging around school. The little ones give solace, or put their arms around someone when they’re crying, or share a snack, or let somebody else on the slide. Those things are present everywhere, because peacemaking is about stopping violence, and about not dehumanizing people. When we celebrate and support the humanity of other people, we become peacemakers.

Steven Brion-Meisels, Former Director of Peace First

Put your money behind it To prevent violence, you deal with the -isms of materialism, racism, sexism, and adultism, and you put your money behind that. It’s not that we don’t have the money for youth programs, or family programs, or educational programs, it’s that we choose to spend it on something else.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone I define peace-making around four concepts: one is communication, one is conflict resolution, one is cooperation, and the fourth one is what I call engagement. The notion is that you can stay out of trouble and avoid violence without being a peacemaker. To be a peacemaker you have to step outside of that comfort zone. If you’re a child, help the child who’s being isolated on the playground. Reach out and stand up for them. If you’re an adult, speak truth to power as best you can in the most respectful, non-violent way. Remember that institutional issues are core questions to preventing violence and promoting peace.

All it takes is one person Say someone has a bad day at work. All it takes is one person asking “hey, how are you doing?” or “hey, what’s the matter?” or “beautiful day, huh?” Just make a story or something, just get to know that person. It might change their perspective and they’ll think “maybe the world isn’t so bad after all.” All it takes is somebody to break that bad day.

Veasna Mao Kang, Streetworker, United Teen Equality Center

Looking at community assets It’s not about what we don’t have, but it’s about looking at the assets in my community. I’m surrounded by three, four health centers right in my area. I’m surrounded by churches and I’m surrounded by schools. Every single one of those entities should have a safe place for families that are impacted by violence.

Clementina M. Chéry, President and CEO of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute

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Twenty Ways to Promote Peace in Our World

Carrie Steckl earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with a Minor in Gerontology from Indiana University – Bloomington in 2001. She has spent over ...Read More

In the wake of tragedies that shake the foundations of our communities, it becomes imperative to reflect on the concept of peace—not as an abstract ideal, but as a tangible state of well-being that is deeply intertwined with the fabric of individual lives and the broader societal harmony. Peace transcends the mere absence of conflict; it encompasses a state of mental, emotional, and environmental equilibrium where individuals coexist with respect, understanding, and compassion towards each other and the world around them.

The relevance of peace in today’s world cannot be overstated. It is the cornerstone upon which societies build resilience against turmoil and strife, enabling individuals to flourish and communities to thrive. More than ever, there is a pressing need for actionable steps that every individual can take to contribute to a collective sense of security, understanding, and mutual respect. Here are 20 you can take:

• Make a personal commitment to nonviolence—Embrace nonviolence as a core principle in your daily interactions. This means actively choosing to respond to situations with patience and understanding, rather than aggression or anger. By embodying nonviolence, you contribute to a culture of peace, setting an example for others to follow.
• When you see someone in trouble, offer help.—Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on someone’s life. Whether it’s assisting someone who’s lost or lending an ear to someone who’s upset, your support can be a beacon of hope and comfort in their time of need.
• Teach a child how to achieve calmness through deep breathing.—Introducing children to simple techniques for managing stress and emotions, such as deep breathing, equips them with valuable tools for maintaining inner peace and handling life’s challenges with composure.
• Show a child how to be kind to animals.—Teaching children to treat animals with kindness and respect fosters empathy and a sense of responsibility towards all living beings, reinforcing the interconnectedness of life and the importance of peaceful coexistence.
• Demonstrate kindness to vulnerable people.—Encouraging children to show compassion to those who are often overlooked, such as the homeless or those with disabilities, instills a sense of social responsibility and the value of treating everyone with dignity and respect.
• Speak out against prejudice and discrimination.—Taking a stand against injustice, even in small ways, sends a powerful message about the importance of equity and respect for diversity, contributing to a more inclusive and peaceful society.
• Practice patience and reflection when angry.—By counting to ten before reacting in anger, you give yourself space to consider a more constructive response, promoting peace within yourself and in your interactions with others.
• Reframe personal slights as misunderstandings.—Recognizing that negative interactions often stem from the other person’s struggles can help you respond with empathy rather than retaliation, fostering a more peaceful and forgiving community.
• Cultivate compassion for others.—Finding compassion for those who have wronged you can be challenging, but it’s a powerful step towards healing and breaking the cycle of negativity, leading to more peaceful relationships.
• View conflicts as opportunities for growth.—When someone hurts your feelings, consider it a chance to develop resilience and a peaceful nature, using these experiences as lessons in maintaining your composure and empathy.
• Engage with your religious or spiritual community.—Participating in peace-promoting activities through your religious or spiritual community can amplify your impact, spreading messages of love and tolerance through collective action.
• Volunteer with peace-oriented organizations.—Contributing your time and skills to organizations that work towards peaceful communities allows you to be part of the solution, making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
• Educate children about bullying.—Sharing resources like the Southern Poverty Law Center’s tips on bullying can empower children to stand up against harassment, fostering environments of respect and kindness.
• Choose a career that contributes positively to society.—Pursuing a career path that aligns with the values of peace and community service not only fulfills personal aspirations but also contributes to the collective well-being of society.
• Greet others with kindness.—A simple smile or greeting can bridge divides, creating moments of connection and shared humanity that contribute to a more friendly and peaceful community.
• Learn mental health first aid.—Being equipped to offer support to those in mental distress can be life-changing, reducing stigma and promoting a culture of care and understanding.
• Participate in local safety initiatives.—Joining efforts to make your neighborhood, school, or workplace safer strengthens community bonds and creates environments where peace can flourish.
• Celebrate peace achievements.—Acknowledging and celebrating steps towards peace and nonviolence, both big and small, reinforces the importance of these efforts and inspires continued commitment to the cause.
• Maintain hope and engagement with life.—Keeping faith in the goodness of the world encourages a positive outlook, motivating continued engagement with life’s opportunities for growth and contribution.
• Share these peace-promoting strategies with others.—Spreading the word about ways to foster peace not only amplifies the impact of these actions but also creates a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to making the world a more peaceful place.

It’s clear that the journey towards a more harmonious society begins with individual actions. From making a personal commitment to nonviolence, to teaching children the value of kindness and empathy, each step we take is a building block in the foundation of a peaceful community. Engaging with others, speaking out against injustice, and offering a helping hand to those in need are not just acts of goodwill—they are essential practices that weave the fabric of a compassionate society.

The power of collective action cannot be underestimated. When we share these principles and practices with others, we multiply their impact, creating a ripple effect that can transform communities, societies, and ultimately, the world. Peace is not a distant ideal, but a living reality that grows with each thoughtful gesture, each word of encouragement, and each act of kindness.

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Let this be a call to action for each of us to embody the principles of peace in our daily lives. As we do, we become beacons of hope and agents of change in a world that deeply yearns for harmony. Together, our collective efforts can pave the way for a future where peace is not just possible but prevalent—a world where understanding, respect, and love triumph over conflict and division.

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• Hospitals Take Notice Of Bedside Manner - Finally
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• Speak Truly
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• Does Emotion Help Or Hurt Your Performance?
• Why Is It Hard To "Just Say 'No'"?: Ten Barriers To Asserting Your Individuality, Intentionality, And Integrity - Part I
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• Benefits Of Meditation And How To Get Started
• How Does Your Income Determine Your Well-Being?
• Own Being Responsible? -- Absolutely, Make Others Responsible? -- You Must Be Kidding!
• Facebook And Emotional Well-Being: Three Ways To Keep Things Positive
• Lived By Love
• Do We Need Anxiety? Thoughts For Entering The New Year
• Dump The Resolution And Adopt An Acronym
• What I Learned About Engagement, Motivation, And Leadership From A 13-Month Old - Part I
• Telehealth: A Modern Path To Wellness
• Don't Quarrel
• Is Lack Of Sleep Hurting Your Health?
• Why Can't I Stick To My New Year's Resolutions?
• In These Heart Breaking Times, Remember: We Are The Other.
• Wellness Resolutions For The New Year
• Trust In Love
• Do You Seek Happiness?
• Twenty Ways To Promote Peace In Our World
• Bruce Springsteen In Concert: What Life Lessons Does He Teach Us?
• One Breath At A Time
• A Caring Request To Keep Your Feet (and ALL Of Your Toes) On The Ground
• The Intricate Ties Between Depression And Insecurity
• Lean Into Good On First Waking
• Empathy: It's About Happiness, Too
• Believe It Or Not: Skeptics Brains Are Different
• See Deep Wants
• Life Cannot Be Reduced To Numbers
• The Anatomy Of A Poker Face
• Embarrassment: Powerful And Puzzling
• Don't Rain On The Parade
• How To Make An Anti-Bullying Program A Bad Thing (Do Not Try This At Home)
• Want To Get Tougher In Life? Be Vulnerable.
• See Good Intentions
• Should Doctors Prescribe Lifestyle Changes?
• Now And Then, Stress Is A Good Thing
• Don't Let Waiting Become Regret
• See Progress
• Three Errors In Judgment We Are All Too Inclined To Make
• To Caffeinate Or Not To Caffeinate? Making Personal Health Decisions Must Remain Personal
• Speak Wisely
• Feeling Bad About Being Sad
• Cultivating Patience In Everyday Life
• Unexpected Causes Of Tiredness
• New And Old Friendships Alike Help Us Age Successfully
• 6 Ways Mindfulness Can Improve Your Daily Life
• Drop The "Shoulds"
• If You're Happy And You Know It...Wag Your Tail?
• How To Be Wise About Fear
• Let It R.A.I.N.
• Why I Love Rock 'n' Roll: Healing Music For The Soul
• The Art Of Routine
• Ways We Think That Can Make Or Break Us - Part 2
• Insisting On Fairness & Justice Is A Recipe For Conflict, Misery & Suffering
• Ways We Think That Can Make Or Break Us - Part 1
• Find Your Own Way
• The Brain In Your Gut
• How Our Brains Adapt To Trust And Betrayal
• Are Compassion And Pride Mutually Exclusive?
• Garbage Detection And Brilliance Spotting
• Can You Predict Your Emotional Future?
• Wake Up To Good News
• Behold The SuperAgers!
• Change The Channel
• Mental Health First Aid: A New Concept Helping Communities
• Bottom-Up Or Top-Down? How We Generate Emotions
• Find Stillness
• The Thoughts That Hold Us Back - And What To Do About Them
• "Off With Their Heads!"--Danger! Danger! Guillotiners Ahead! - Identifying And Protecting Yourself From Expediency-Driven Guillotiners
• Cultivating Everyday Spiritual Experiences
• Minimize Painful Experiences
• Conscientiousness And A Happier, Longer Life
• Friends And Marriage
• Relax, You've Arrived
• How To Be Emotionally Aware - No Cat Ears Required
• Peeling The Onion--Uncovering Our Wounds In Therapy
• Hold Wants Lightly
• Self-Advocacy Vs. Hypochondria: Where Do We Draw The Line?
• Why Support Is Important For Dealing With Food, Weight + Body Image Issues
• Rule-Bound Adjustment Is Deadening - Rule-Flexible Adaptiveness Is Enlivening
• Rest Your Weary Head
• The Importance Of Family Pets, Grieving The Loss Of My Best Friend, Bonnie
• Our Obsession With "More"
• When Does Vicarious Trauma (VT) Become A Sign Of Codependency? - Part II
• Generativity As A Path To Wellness
• Gift Yourself
• When Does Vicarious Trauma (VT) Become A Sign Of Codependency? - Part I
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• The Protective Effect Of Having A Purpose In Life
• Is Hating Someone Because They Are Different A Mental Illness?
• Find What's Sacred
• Complacency, Apathy And Resignation Be Banished And Transformed
• Successfully Negotiating The Crisis-Trauma, Grief-Transition Passage: Six Emo-Existential Questions
• The Benefits Of Self-Questioning Part One
• Avoid The Rush
• More Evidence That Staying Active Is Good For The Brain
• Lessons Learned From Almost Dying: A Personal Journey
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• Bridging The International Corporate Geo-Cultural Divide Or Presenter Beware And Buyer Be Aware
• Defining Your Own Spiritual Path
• Find Your North Star
• Change Your Body, Change Your Mind
• Being Positional, Non-Positional And Taking A Stand
• Multidimensional Wellness: Powerful Concept And Practical Tool
• Cling Less, Love More
• Follow Your Dreams
• Start Feeling Joy Now!
• What Can I Do? The Seven Options Available For You In Any Situation
• In Challenging Times, No More "Inner Child": Boldly Bring Your Inner Chutzpah
• Pay Attention
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• Inspiring Power And Partnership: An Interactive And Interdependent Perspective
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• Admit Fault And Move On
• Positivity In Relationships Is Contagious
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• Be The Body
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• Obstacles And Obscurations
• Needless: You Can Have Almost Anything You Want(So Long As You Don't Need It!)
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• The Junction Of Political Awareness And Mental Health
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• The Four Thoughts That Turn The Mind: Part Four: Precious Human Birth
• Recharging Yourself Through Relationships And Giving To Others
• A Fresh New Year Upon Which To Embrace Change
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• Always Sleepy After the Change to Daylight Saving Time?
• When One Spouse Exercises, the Other May Start, Too
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• Healthy Lifestyle May Boost Breast Cancer Survival
• Even Decaf Coffee May Help the Liver
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• Health Tip: Are You at a Healthy Weight?
• The Obese Are Frequent Targets for Cyberbullies
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• Study: Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors May Prevent 80 Percent of Heart Attacks
• Get a Flu Shot During Checkup, Doctor Says
• Walking, Biking to Work Seems to Have Mental Health Benefits
• A Good Night's Sleep May Mean a Good Day's Work
• Health Tip: Keep Your Family Moving
• Short Walks Can Offset Long Stretches of Sitting
• Health Tip: Starting a Walking Program
• Sit Less, Protect Your DNA and Live Longer?
• Health Tip: Aging Well
• Overconfident Folks May Blind Others to Their Real Abilities
• Diet, Exercise Counseling Urged for Overweight Americans With Heart Risks
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• Health Tip: Strengthening Your Brain
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• Eating Out Equals Eating More
• Health Tip: Take Care in the Heat
• Fruits, Veggies May Have Their Limits in Boosting Lifespan
• Healthy Habits May Slow Cellular Signs of Aging, Study Finds
• Running Could Add 3 Years to Your Lifespan
• Most Adults Are Members of 'Clean Plate Club'
• Food Safety Tips for the Summer
• Exercise May Help Counter Health Risks of Sedentary Lifestyle
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• A Little Alcohol May Not Be Good for Your Heart After All
• Health Tip: Be Safe at the Beach
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• 'Practice Makes Perfect' Genes May Be Key to Great Musicians
• Change Bad Habits Early, Save Your Heart Later
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• Many Don't Want to Be Alone With Their Thoughts
• Stay Safe On The Roads This July Fourth
• Have a Fun -- But Safe -- Fourth of July
• Health Tip: Drink Lots of Fluids This Summer
• Is All That TV Killing You?
• Health Tip: Safer Use of Fireworks
• Vitamin D: A Key to a Longer Life?
• Good Heart Health May Keep Your Mind Sharp, Too
• Health Tip: Eat Well, But Start Simple
• Indoor Tanning Ups Melanoma Risk, Even Without Burning: Study
• Tips for Staying Safe in the Sun
• New Campaign Seeks to Help Sleep-Deprived Americans
• Guard Your Good Vision, Experts Say
• Consistent Protein Intake Key to Muscle Strength, Study Says
• Purposeful Life Might Be a Longer Life
• As Summer Arrives, CDC Offers Pool Chemical Safety Tips
• Health Tip: Which SPF Do I Need?
• Adult Health Better for Bullies Than Their Victims: Study
• Most People Have Unwanted Thoughts, International Study Finds
• Health Tip: How Many Zzzz's Do You Need?
• Health Tip: Being Healthy Doesn't Have to Be Expensive
• Even Routine Housework May Help Stave Off Disability
• Spouse's Sunny Outlook May Be Good for Your Health
• Adjusting Your Thermostat Might Improve Your Thinking
• Health Tip: Confused About Healthy Eating?
• Jury Still Out on Benefits of Vitamin D
• For Greater Happiness, Spend Your Money on 'Life Experiences': Study
• Hands-Free Cellphones Don't Make Driving Safer, Review Shows
• Health Tip: Help Prevent Anemia
• World Cup Matches Might Boost Your Mental Health
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• Intellectual Disabilities
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• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Somatic Symptom And Related Disorders
• Tourettes And Other Tic Disorders
• Physical Mental Illness Flipbook
• Suicide Rates Vector Map
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• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Colds And Flu
• Crohns Disease / Irritable Bowel
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• Death & Dying
• Physical Development: Motor Development
• Vygotsky's Social Developmental Emphasis
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• Grief And Bereavement

Peace education

Peace education promotes the knowledge, skills and attitudes to help people prevent conflict occurring, resolve conflicts peacefully, or create conditions for peace.

Peace education activities promote the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will help people either to prevent the occurrence of conflict, resolve conflicts peacefully, or create social conditions conducive to peace.

Core values of nonviolence and social justice are central to peace education. Nonviolence is manifested through values such as respect for human rights, freedom and trust. Social justice is realised by principles of equality, responsibility, and solidarity.

In order to achieve these ideals, peace education programmes across the world address a wide range of themes.  These include nonviolence, conflict resolution techniques, democracy, disarmament, gender equality, human rights, environmental responsibility, history, communication skills, coexistence, and international understanding and tolerance of diversity.

Peace education can be delivered to people of all ages, in both formal and informal settings. Programmes exist at local, national, and international levels, and in times of peace, conflict, and post-conflict.

To create public dialogue different factions of society are often brought together in peace education programmes – these typically include civil society groups, schools, tribal leaders and the media. Yet due to the many areas covered by peace education, initiatives are primarily determined by culture and context, as well as by the projects’ scopes and objectives.

Peace education and peacebuilding are therefore intrinsically linked. The UN’s actions for peacebuilding include education as one of its principle components. For peacebuilding initiatives to remain sustainable it is vital that attitudes towards war and violence are transformed and translated into long-term behavioural change which seek alternative solutions to armed conflict.

We hope you're finding Peace Insight valuable

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14 beautiful ways to promote peace in our world right now

Today — right here and right now– we have the power to use our voices to spread love and peace . From listening more intently to embracing educational resources, here are 14 powerful ways to promote peace in your life and in the lives of those around you.

1. Be kind and direct

Treating all beings with kindness — no matter their race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation — is a give-in. However, in order to promote a more peaceful planet, we also need to challenge those who undermine inclusivity and compassion. We recommend reading this article on direct compassionate feedback  for helpful tips on how to help others grow and improve.

2. Bring a sense of mindfulness into your conversations

If you feel a conversation start to take an unproductive turn, try rerouting it into a more productive place.

Of course, venting in moderation is healthy and normal, but sometimes it just takes asking thoughtful questions to make space for new light, knowledge, and intention.

3. Embrace educational resources

In order to promote peace, it’s also important to understand why certain beings suffer injustices more than others. Pay attention to current events, look at both local and international news, and read books/listen to podcasts about peace and social justice. You can also find helpful resources at the United Nation’s report for Creating an Inclusive Society .

4. Remember names 

View this post on Instagram Rest in power queen and know that we won’t rest until we see justice. #happybirthdaybreonnataylor A post shared by NAACP (@naacp) on Jun 5, 2020 at 12:34pm PDT

Remembering someone’s name is a beautiful way to show them they matter to you. This goes for everyone from baristas, to a co-worker’s significant other, to those who are no longer with us.

5. Pay close attention to language

The power of language is not to be underestimated. By constantly interrogating your words and seeking to use more inclusive language, you’ll help fight assumptions that have become automatic in your mindset. For example, not attaching gender to a theoretical person is a great place to start.

6. Question yourself 

Ask yourself: How can I do more to promote peace? Dig beneath the surface to try and achieve deeper empathy of others, particularly those who are different from you.

7. Listen intently

Be receptive to feedback. We are all imperfect, but we can strive to improve through open dialogue and increased awareness.

8. Use your voice for good

Fortunately, there are so many ways to use our voices for good. Updating social media, writing letters to policy-makers, signing petitions, VOTING, and attending peace rallies are all ways to act from a place of love.

9. Perform random acts of kindness

Whether you call a relative just to say “hello” or give a co-worker unsolicited praise, there are so many ways to make the world a happier place.

Looking for some kind-living inspiration? Check out these posts with tons of ways to be kinder in your everyday:

• 80 Super simple random acts of kindness for all areas of your life
• 8 Simple ways to make Mother Earth happy
• 30 Ways to embrace more kindness in your everyday

10. Smile and wave

“If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Simply acknowledging the presence of other beings is a powerful way to share kindness and promote peace into the universe.

11. Reflect on gratitude

Research shows that when we channel more gratefulness in our lives, we’re also less self-centered and less envious.

Try writing in a gratitude journal, spending time outdoors, and meditating. Whatever makes you feel most connected to gratitude is the “best” practice for you and that’s how you’ll get the most benefits, too.

P.S. Take our quiz to test your knowledge of the wonderful benefits of gratitude!

12. Nourish slow living 

It’s easy to miss an opportunity to be kind and thoughtful when we’re go, go, go all of the time. Opt for a walk, chat with a neighbor (while maintaining social distance!), and take deep breaths. When we practice patience and mindfulness within, it radiates to the world around us.

13. Do the right thing when no one is watching

View this post on Instagram Reminder✨ . . . . Background photo by my friend @rachellizphotography who sent it to me out of no where the other night “in case I needed some flowers” and it made me breathe deep. A post shared by Jess Bird🌈 (she/her) (@blessthemessy) on Jun 7, 2020 at 4:45am PDT

Committing to doing both action-based work and inner-work goes far beyond an Instagram feed. How we handle uncomfortable situations on a Zoom call with two people, at a party with 20 friends, and at the grocery store says a lot about who we are. We cannot be complicit bystanders to injustices, rather we need to be mindful advocates.

14. Give yourself tangible reminders of peace

Stick kind-living quotes on your fridge, use a keychain that represents peace, or wear a shirt like our “Be a Piece of Peace” tee to give yourself reminders to repurpose and re-root your intention.

We’re so grateful you’re on this journey with us as we continue to learn and grow. Thank you for being part of our community.

To check out more resources on ways to make the world a kinder place to call home, check out these posts:

• These 8 courageous women are making the planet a better place 
• 21 Ways to make Earth Day every day
• One woman’s inspiring journey from animal lover to animal saver

The simplest things we can do to protect our un-bee-lievable pollinator pals

From cowspiracy to chasing coral: 10 inspiring documentaries that’ll motivate you to protect all animals, you might also like.

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The Power of Self-Kindness: How to Practice Compassion & Change Your Life

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50 Ways To Promote Peace

by Uncustomary | Sep 21, 2021 | Lists , Activism , Celebration | 12 comments

September 21st is the International Day Of Peace. This is an “unusual” holiday as it’s not observed on your run-of-the-mill calendar, but the concept shouldn’t be unusual at all (although to many it unfortunately is).

I wonder if there’s a tally somewhere of all the pageant participants that answered the question, “If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?” replied with, “World peace”. Most of us want it, but we keep hoping and it doesn’t seem to happen. At least not globally. That’s realism, not pessimism. Every day there are hundreds of acts of violence, murders, rapes, robberies, bombs, terrorist acts, and way more terrible things. Someone is always at war. Overall, there isn’t really peace in the world, that being defined as “freedom from disturbance, war, and violence; quiet and tranquility”.

I’m not in a position of power that has the influence over ending a war, or creating harsher laws for someone obtaining a gun or punishments for those convicted of rape, and I’m guessing you’re not either (whether or not you agree with those sentiments). What I am in a position to do is to create peace in my own life and attempt to also do so for the people around me, and so do you.

I wanted to make a list of ways to promote peace in everyday life, things that are tangible for any private citizen. Peace is partially obtained through the pursuit of happiness. As children find peace when they play with  kids play equipment , adults need to find happiness through higher meaning and building a better world around them. I hope you’ll read through it and think about what peace means to you and how you can add more of it to your life and the lives of those around you.

1. Treat all people with kindness, regardless of race, gender orientation, sexual orientation, religion, etc. 2. Attend a peace rally 3. Write to your government (local and federal) 4. Create a peaceful affirmation/mantra 5. Don’t engage in violence of any kind 6. Don’t purchase weapons 7. Embrace diversity and get to know other cultures by traveling the world and doing research 8. Start a collection to donate to a charity 9. Volunteer for the Peace Corps 10. If you have a platform, use it to educate 11. Advocate for animal rights (including slaughter laws) 12. Meditate and teach/encourage others to meditate 13. Organize community projects to build camaraderie (group mural, clean-up, etc.) 14. Think about other peoples intentions vs. their outcome 15. Never honk your car horn unless you’re unsafe

16. Make art installations with the word “peace” or the peace symbol 17. When you see someone who is in trouble, help them 18. Learn mediation/conflict resolution skills 19. Advocate peace with T-shirts, bumper stickers, patches, etc. 20. Call out people when you see them being sexist, racist, etc. 21. Spend time in nature 22. Stay abreast of current events 23. Take a break from watching the news when you need to 24. Register to vote (and actually vote!) 25. Create a safe space/sanctuary in your ome 26. Engage in random acts of kindness on a regular basis 27. Hang Tibetan prayer flags 28. Reduce your carbon footprint 29. Volunteer at a domestic violence shelter 30. Try had not to judge others 31. Research influential peace promoters in history 32. Talk to kids about peaceful virtues early on 33. Have a plan for dangerous situations of all types (being mugged, a house fire, etc.) 34. Respect your environment (i.e. don’t litter) 35. Sign a peace pledge

36. Think about any prejudices you might have and explore why they are a part of you, with the ultimate goal being that you release them 37. Learn about symbols of peace and use tangible examples as reminders in your own home, workspace, car, etc. 38. Attend local government meetings 39. Forgive others, even long-standing enemies 40. Read books about peace and recommend them to your friends 41. Help the homeless / Volunteer at a shelter 42. Take a nonviolent crisis intervention class 43. Develop meaningful relationships outside your own race 44. Sign an appeal to end nuclear threats 45. Host art/ music /poetry events with the theme of peace 46. Be patient in all aspects of life 47. Learn what the main causes of violence in your city are 48. Practice self-love and care so you can radiate goodness to others 49. Say you’re sorry when necessary, even it’s belated 50. Define what the word “peace” means to you

Looking to spend more time in nature? Try doing a nature scavenger hunt! I made a list of 25 things you can look for that you can print out.

Nature Scavenger Hunt List

What does peace mean to you? How else can we promote peace in our lives?

12 Comments

This is our Way ! From Pisa with Peace If You like It. Please Can You share? Thank You Very much

it actually helps because there are many problems going around the world and the only solution is peace. if you like this website please share it with freinds and family.

Sorry to say – ‘Peace needs Omniscience, Total Knowledge, and Omnipotence, Total Action – and this Pursuit of ‘Perfection’ Paves the Path of Perdition. Truce, on the other hand, just needs Nonviolence, avoiding aggression, and Nonsinning, avoiding harm to others, to produce a Livable World. To protect the Empire of Liberty that is America’s Constitutional Republican Mortal State AND Liberal Democratic Mortal Society – go with the Truces of the Civil Order. Buddha, Tao, Kami (Gods), Megami (Goddesses), Confucius, and Zen Masters and Mistresses Bless the Truce Makers from this humble little Japanese American Shinto Shamaness. Cheers!

I want to be a peace ambassador

You already are 🌈

Wonderful document, when you read it you feel where you belong in peacebuilding in our communities..

What an extremely excellent post you got here. I really want to express my gratitude for this post as it contains a lot of information that has been very helpful. keep up the good work, you might also want to check out this link and JAMB . I would be glad and grateful if you like them.

The world needs peace now than any other time.

This is really nice content and was really really helpful Thanks for sharing, but I must say that the world does need peace. After taking a great look on Ukraine’s war it was so immense

Good and wonderful comment n can make someone reconcile and compromise

I have learnt a lot from this. I really appreciate and it has influenced my behaviors.

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60 Powerful Ways to Contribute to World Peace

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Table of Contents

60 powerful ways to promote peace in our world

I’m really excited about today’s topic—how we can help make the world a more peaceful place. In this blog post, we’ll talk about some cool and easy ways to contribute to world peace .

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link and purchase something I recommend, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How we can make the world more peaceful

• Practice kindness. Small acts of kindness , like smiling at strangers or helping a neighbor, can create a ripple effect of positivity.
• Listen more. By truly listening to others, we can understand their perspectives better and reduce misunderstandings.
• Volunteer for peace organizations. Contribute your time and skills to organizations that work towards peace.
• Teach conflict resolution. Share conflict-solving techniques with friends, family, and children.
• Promote education. Support initiatives that provide education to children in conflict zones.
• Advocate for human rights. Speak out against injustices and support organizations that protect human rights.
• Meditation and mindfulness. These practices can help you stay calm and spread peace around you.
• Support refugees. Help refugees in your community by providing help and a welcoming environment.
• Plant trees. Environmental peace is essential, so join tree-planting initiatives.
• Cultural exchange. Learn about different cultures and promote cultural exchange.
• Write letters. Write letters to leaders, urging them to prioritize peace.
• Practice non-violence. Resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.
• Promote gender equality. Support gender equality to reduce violence against women.
• Support fair trade. Buy products that ensure fair wages for producers.
• Community policing. Encourage police-community relations to build trust.

• Campaign against bullying. Take a stand against bullying in your school or workplace.
• Spread awareness. Share peace-related information on social media.
• Promote inclusivity. Make sure everyone feels included in your community.
• Support mental health. Help reduce mental health stigmas and provide support to those in need.
• Conflict-free shopping. Buy products that aren’t tied to conflicts or exploitation.
• Random acts of kindness. Surprise others with unexpected acts of goodness.
• Support peaceful protests. Stand with those advocating for positive change.
• Diplomacy. Encourage peaceful negotiations in international conflicts.
• Fair voting. Advocate for fair and transparent election processes.
• Community gardens. Create spaces where people can come together to grow food.
• Promote renewable energy. Support clean energy to reduce resource-driven conflicts.
• Respect differences. Celebrate diversity and learn from others’ cultures and traditions.
• Conflict journalism. Support media outlets that focus on peace and reconciliation.
• Promote tolerance. Teach children the importance of tolerance and understanding.
• Civic engagement. Get involved in local politics to influence peaceful policies.

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• Advocate for disarmament. Support efforts to reduce the availability of weapons.
• Be a good neighbor. Foster positive relationships with those living near you.
• Promote animal rights. Extend compassion to all living creatures.
• Support fair labor practices. Choose products made by companies that treat their workers well.
• Emergency response training. Learn how to help in emergencies and disasters.
• Conflict-free electronics. Buy gadgets made with ethically sourced materials.
• Promote accessible healthcare. Advocate for affordable healthcare for all.
• Support peace education. Encourage schools to teach conflict resolution and peace studies.
• Community cleanups. Organize or participate in efforts to clean up your neighborhood.
• Fair immigration policies. Advocate for fair immigration laws and support immigrants.
• Promote renewable water sources. Help provide clean water to communities in need.
• Support peaceful art. Promote art and music that inspire harmony and unity.
• Practice patience. Be patient with others, even in frustrating situations.
• Promote animal adoption. Choose adoption over buying pets.
• Support local businesses. Shop locally to strengthen your community.

• Promote restorative justice. Advocate for methods that focus on repairing harm instead of punishment.
• Say no to hate speech. Refuse to engage in or support hate speech.
• Promote fair-trade tourism. Choose responsible tourism options.
• Support youth empowerment. Mentor young people and help them build brighter futures.
• Interfaith dialogue. Engage in conversations with people of different faiths to promote understanding.
• Promote green transportation. Use eco-friendly modes of transportation.
• Share knowledge. Teach others what you know to promote peace.
• Encourage compassion. Encourage empathy and compassion in your circle.
• Promote healthy communication. Teach effective communication skills .
• Respect elders. Show respect and care for older generations.
• Support LGBTQ+ rights. Advocate for equal rights for all sexual orientations and gender identities.
• Promote ethical fashion. Choose clothing made with fair labor practices.
• Educate yourself. Keep learning about global issues and peace efforts.
• Support conflict resolution training. Encourage training programs for resolving disputes peacefully.
• Promote unity. Remember that we’re all part of one big human family, and unity brings peace.

FAQ: Why should we look for new ways to contribute to world peace?

So, why should we bother finding new ways to help make the world more peaceful? Well, the world can be a bit chaotic sometimes, right?

There are conflicts, disagreements, and all sorts of problems. But here’s the thing: If we don’t do something about it, it might just get worse .

We all want to live in a place where we feel safe and happy, right? Well, by chipping in and doing our part for world peace, we’re not just helping others but also making our own lives better.

When there’s peace, we can focus on things we love , like spending time with family, pursuing our dreams, and living without fear.

Besides, contributing to world peace isn’t as hard as it might seem. There are simple, everyday things we can do that add up and make a big difference.

So, looking for new ways to contribute to world peace isn’t just a good idea; it’s like making the world a better place for ourselves and future generations . Pretty cool, right?

What are your favorite ways to contribute to world peace?

I’m a personal growth and self-care expert, as well as an avid motorcycle enthusiast and coffee and sweets lover. Through Lauraconteuse, I provide insightful and practical advice on topics such as self-care, self-love, personal growth, and productivity, drawing from my very own extensive experience and knowledge in the field. My blog has helped countless people achieve their goals and live more fulfilling lives, and my goal is to continue to inspire and empower others.

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World Peace Essay: Prompts, How-to Guide, & 200+ Topics

Throughout history, people have dreamed of a world without violence, where harmony and justice reign. This dream of world peace has inspired poets, philosophers, and politicians for centuries. But is it possible to achieve peace globally? Writing a world peace essay will help you find the answer to this question and learn more about the topic.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

In this article, our custom writing team will discuss how to write an essay on world peace quickly and effectively. To inspire you even more, we have prepared writing prompts and topics that can come in handy.

• ✍️ Writing Guide
• 🦄 Essay Prompts
• ✔️ World Peace Topics
• 🌎 Pacifism Topics
• ✌️ Catchy Essay Titles
• 🕊️ Research Topics on Peace
• 💡 War and Peace Topics
• ☮️ Peace Title Ideas
• 🌐 Peace Language Topics

🔗 References

✍️ how to achieve world peace essay writing guide.

Stuck with your essay about peace? Here is a step-by-step writing guide with many valuable tips to make your paper well-structured and compelling.

1. Research the Topic

The first step in writing your essay on peace is conducting research. You can look for relevant sources in your university library, encyclopedias, dictionaries, book catalogs, periodical databases, and Internet search engines. Besides, you can use your lecture notes and textbooks for additional information.

Among the variety of sources that could be helpful for a world peace essay, we would especially recommend checking the Global Peace Index report . It presents the most comprehensive data-driven analysis of current trends in world peace. It’s a credible report by the Institute for Economics and Peace, so you can cite it as a source in your aper.

Here are some other helpful resources where you can find information for your world peace essay:

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• United Nations Peacekeeping
• International Peace Institute
• United States Institute of Peace
• European Union Institute for Security Studies
• Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

2. Create an Outline

Outlining is an essential aspect of the essay writing process. It helps you plan how you will connect all the facts to support your thesis statement.

To write an outline for your essay about peace, follow these steps:

• Determine your topic and develop a thesis statement .
• Choose the main points that will support your thesis and will be covered in your paper.
• Organize your ideas in a logical order.
• Think about transitions between paragraphs.

Here is an outline example for a “How to Achieve World Peace” essay. Check it out to get a better idea of how to structure your paper.

• Definition of world peace.
• The importance of global peace.
• Thesis statement: World peace is attainable through combined efforts on individual, societal, and global levels.
• Practive of non-violent communication.
• Development of healthy relationships.
• Promotion of conflict resolution skills.
• Promotion of democracy and human rights.
• Support of peacebuilding initiatives.
• Protection of cultural diversity.
• Encouragement of arms control and non-proliferation.
• Promotion of international law and treaties.
• Support of intercultural dialogue and understanding.
• Restated thesis.
• Call to action.

You can also use our free essay outline generator to structure your world peace essay.

3. Write Your World Peace Essay

Now, it’s time to use your outline to write an A+ paper. Here’s how to do it:

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• Start with the introductory paragraph , which states the topic, presents a thesis, and provides a roadmap for your essay. If you need some assistance with this part, try our free introduc tion generator.
• Your essay’s main body should contain at least 3 paragraphs. Each of them should provide explanations and evidence to develop your argument.
• Finally, in your conclusion , you need to restate your thesis and summarize the points you’ve covered in the paper. It’s also a good idea to add a closing sentence reflecting on your topic’s significance or encouraging your audience to take action. Feel free to use our essay conclusion generator to develop a strong ending for your paper.

4. Revise and Proofread

Proofreading is a way to ensure your essay has no typos and grammar mistakes. Here are practical tips for revising your work:

• Take some time. Leaving your essay for a day or two before revision will give you a chance to look at it from another angle.
• Read out loud. To catch run-on sentences or unclear ideas in your writing, read it slowly and out loud. You can also use our Read My Essay to Me tool.
• Make a checklist . Create a list for proofreading to ensure you do not miss any important details, including structure, punctuation, capitalization, and formatting.
• Ask someone for feedback. It is always a good idea to ask your professor, classmate, or friend to read your essay and give you constructive criticism on the work.
• Note down the mistakes you usually make. By identifying your weaknesses, you can work on them to become a more confident writer.

🦄 World Peace Essay Writing Prompts

Looking for an interesting idea for your world peace essay? Look no further! Use our writing prompts to get a dose of inspiration.

How to Promote Peace in the Community Essay Prompt

Promoting peace in the world always starts in small communities. If people fight toxic narratives, negative stereotypes, and hate crimes, they will build a strong and united community and set a positive example for others.

In your essay on how to promote peace in the community, you can dwell on the following ideas:

• Explain the importance of accepting different opinions in establishing peace in your area.
• Analyze how fighting extremism in all its forms can unite the community and create a peaceful environment.
• Clarify what peace means in the context of your community and what factors contribute to or hinder it.
• Investigate the role of dialogue in resolving conflicts and building mutual understanding in the community.

How to Promote Peace as a Student Essay Prompt

Students, as an active part of society, can play a crucial role in promoting peace at various levels. From educational entities to worldwide conferences, they have an opportunity to introduce the idea of peace for different groups of people.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Check out the following fresh ideas for your essay on how to promote peace as a student:

• Analyze how information campaigns organized by students can raise awareness of peace-related issues.
• Discuss the impact of education in fostering a culture of peace.
• Explore how students can use social media to advocate for a peaceful world.
• Describe your own experience of taking part in peace-promoting campaigns or programs.

How Can We Maintain Peace in Our Society Essay Prompt

Maintaining peace in society is a difficult but achievable task that requires constant attention and effort from all members of society.

We have prepared ideas that can come in handy when writing an essay about how we can maintain peace in our society:

• Investigate the role of tolerance, understanding of different cultures, and respect for religions in promoting peace in society.
• Analyze the importance of peacekeeping organizations.
• Provide real-life examples of how people promote peace.
• Offer practical suggestions for how individuals and communities can work together to maintain peace.

Youth Creating a Peaceful Future Essay Prompt

Young people are the future of any country, as well as the driving force to create a more peaceful world. Their energy and motivation can aid in finding new methods of coping with global hate and violence.

In your essay, you can use the following ideas to show the role of youth in creating a peaceful world:

• Analyze the key benefits of youth involvement in peacekeeping.
• Explain why young people are leading tomorrow’s change today.
• Identify the main ingredients for building a peaceful generation with the help of young people’s initiatives.
• Investigate how adolescent girls can be significant agents of positive change in their communities.

Is World Peace Possible Essay Prompt

Whether or not the world can be a peaceful place is one of the most controversial topics. While most people who hear the question “Is a world without war possible?” will probably answer “no,” others still believe in the goodness of humanity.

To discuss in your essay if world peace is possible, use the following ideas:

• Explain how trade, communication, and technology can promote cooperation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.
• Analyze the role of international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union in maintaining peace in the world.
• Investigate how economic inequality poses a severe threat to peace and safety.
• Dwell on the key individual and national interests that can lead to conflict and competition between countries.

✔️ World Peace Topics for Essays

To help get you started with writing, here’s a list of 200 topics you can use for your future essTo help get you started with writing a world peace essay, we’ve prepared a list of topics you can use:

• Defining peace
• Why peace is better: benefits of living in harmony
• Is world peace attainable? Theory and historical examples
• Sustainable peace: is peace an intermission of war?
• Peaceful coexistence : how a society can do without wars
• Peaceful harmony or war of all against all: what came first?
• The relationship between economic development and peace
• Peace and Human Nature: Can Humans Live without Conflicts ?
• Prerequisites for peace : what nations need to refrain from war?
• Peace as an unnatural phenomenon: why people tend to start a war?
• Peace as a natural phenomenon: why people avoid starting a war?
• Is peace the end of the war or its beginning?
• Hybrid war and hybrid peace
• What constitutes peace in the modern world
• Does two countries’ not attacking each other constitute peace?
• “Cold peace” in the international relations today
• What world religions say about world peace
• Defining peacemaking
• Internationally recognized symbols of peace
• World peace: a dream or a goal?

🌎 Peace Essay Topics on Pacifism

• History of pacifism: how the movement started and developed
• Role of the pacifist movement in the twentieth-century history
• Basic philosophical principles of pacifism
• Pacifism as philosophy and as a movement
• The peace sign: what it means
• How the pacifist movement began: actual causes
• The anti-war movements : what did the activists want?
• The relationship between pacifism and the sexual revolution
• Early pacifism: examples from ancient times
• Is pacifism a religion?
• Should pacifists refrain from any kinds of violence?
• Is the pacifist movement a threat to the national security?
• Can a pacifist work in law enforcement authorities?
• Pacifism and non-violence: comparing and contrasting
• The pacifist perspective on the concept of self-defense
• Pacifism in art: examples of pacifistic works of art
• Should everyone be a pacifist?
• Pacifism and diet: should every pacifist be a vegetarian ?
• How pacifists respond to oppression
• The benefits of an active pacifist movement for a country

✌️ Interesting Essay Titles about Peace

• Can the country that won a war occupy the one that lost?
• The essential peace treaties in history
• Should a country that lost a war pay reparations ?
• Peace treaties that caused new, more violent wars
• Can an aggressor country be deprived of the right to have an army after losing a war?
• Non-aggression pacts do not prevent wars
• All the countries should sign non-aggression pacts with one another
• Peace and truces: differences and similarities
• Do countries pursue world peace when signing peace treaties?
• The treaty of Versailles : positive and negative outcomes
• Ceasefires and surrenders: the world peace perspective
• When can a country break a peace treaty?
• Dealing with refugees and prisoners of war under peace treaties
• Who should resolve international conflicts?
• The role of the United Nations in enforcing peace treaties
• Truce envoys’ immunities
• What does a country do after surrendering unconditionally?
• A separate peace: the ethical perspective
• Can a peace treaty be signed in modern-day hybrid wars?
• Conditions that are unacceptable in a peace treaty

🕊️ Research Topics on Peace and Conflict Resolution

• Can people be forced to stop fighting?
• Successful examples of peace restoration through the use of force
• Failed attempts to restore peace with legitimate violence
• Conflict resolution vs conflict transformation
• What powers peacemakers should not have
• Preemptive peacemaking: can violence be used to prevent more abuse?
• The status of peacemakers in the international law
• Peacemaking techniques: Gandhi’s strategies
• How third parties can reconcile belligerents
• The role of the pacifist movement in peacemaking
• The war on wars: appropriate and inappropriate approaches to peacemaking
• Mistakes that peacemakers often stumble upon
• The extent of peacemaking : when the peacemakers’ job is done
• Making peace and sustaining it: how peacemakers prevent future conflicts
• The origins of peacemaking
• What to do if peacemaking does not work
• Staying out: can peacemaking make things worse?
• A personal reflection on the effectiveness of peacemaking
• Prospects of peacemaking
• Personal experience of peacemaking

💡 War and Peace Essay Topics

• Counties should stop producing new types of firearms
• Countries should not stop producing new types of weapons
• Mutual assured destruction as a means of sustaining peace
• The role of nuclear disarmament in world peace
• The nuclear war scenario: what will happen to the world?
• Does military intelligence contribute to sustaining peace?
• Collateral damage: analyzing the term
• Can the defenders of peace take up arms?
• For an armed person, is killing another armed person radically different from killing an unarmed one? Ethical and legal perspectives
• Should a healthy country have a strong army?
• Firearms should be banned
• Every citizen has the right to carry firearms
• The correlation between gun control and violence rates
• The second amendment: modern analysis
• Guns do not kill: people do
• What weapons a civilian should never be able to buy
• Biological and chemical weapons
• Words as a weapon: rhetoric wars
• Can a pacifist ever use a weapon?
• Can dropping weapons stop the war?

☮️ Peace Title Ideas for Essays

• How the nuclear disarmament emblem became the peace sign
• The symbolism of a dove with an olive branch
• Native Americans’ traditions of peace declaration
• The mushroom cloud as a cultural symbol
• What the world peace awareness ribbon should look like
• What I would like to be the international peace sign
• The history of the International Day of Peace
• The peace sign as an accessory
• The most famous peace demonstrations
• Hippies’ contributions to the peace symbolism
• Anti-war and anti-military symbols
• How to express pacifism as a political position
• The rainbow as a symbol of peace
• Can a white flag be considered a symbol of peace?
• Examples of the inappropriate use of the peace sign
• The historical connection between the peace sign and the cannabis leaf sign
• Peace symbols in different cultures
• Gods of war and gods of peace: examples from the ancient mythology
• Peace sign tattoo: pros and cons
• Should the peace sign be placed on a national flag?

🌐 Essay Topics about Peace Language

• The origin and historical context of the word “peace”
• What words foreign languages use to denote “peace”
• What words, if any, should a pacifist avoid?
• The pacifist discourse: key themes
• Disintegration language: “us” vs “them”
• How to combat war propaganda
• Does political correctness promote world peace?
• Can an advocate of peace be harsh in his or her speeches?
• Effective persuasive techniques in peace communications and negotiations
• Analyzing the term “world peace”
• If the word “war” is forbidden, will wars stop?
• Is “peacemaking” a right term?
• Talk to the hand: effective and ineffective interpersonal communication techniques that prevent conflicts
• The many meanings of the word “peace”
• The pacifists’ language: when pacifists swear, yell, or insult
• Stressing similarities instead of differences as a tool of peace language
• The portrayal of pacifists in movies
• The portrayals of pacifists in fiction
• Pacifist lyrics: examples from the s’ music
• Poems that supported peace The power of the written word
• peaceful coexistence: theory and practice
• Under what conditions can humans coexist peacefully?
• “A man is a wolf to another man”: the modern perspective
• What factors prevent people from committing a crime?
• Right for peace vs need for peace
• Does the toughening of punishment reduce crime?
• The Stanford prison experiment: implications
• Is killing natural?
• The possibility of universal love: does disliking always lead to conflicts?
• Basic income and the dynamics of thefts
• Hobbesian Leviathan as the guarantee of peace
• Is state-concentrated legitimate violence an instrument for reducing violence overall?
• Factors that undermine peaceful coexistence
• Living in peace vs living for peace
• The relationship between otherness and peacefulness
• World peace and human nature: the issue of attainability
• The most successful examples of peaceful coexistence
• Lack of peace as lack of communication
• Point made: counterculture and pacifism
• What Woodstock proved to world peace nonbelievers and opponents?
• Woodstock and peaceful coexistence: challenges and successes
• peace, economics, and quality of life
• Are counties living in peace wealthier? Statistics and reasons
• Profits of peace and profits of war: comparison of benefits and losses
• Can a war improve the economy ? Discussing examples
• What is more important for people: having appropriate living conditions or winning a war?
• How wars can improve national economies: the perspective of aggressors and defenders
• Peace obstructers: examples of interest groups that sustained wars and prevented peace
• Can democracies be at war with one another?
• Does the democratic rule in a country provide it with an advantage at war?
• Why wars destroy economies: examples, discussion, and counterarguments
• How world peace would improve everyone’s quality of life
• peace and war today
• Are we getting closer to world peace? Violence rates, values change, and historical comparison
• The peaceful tomorrow: how conflicts will be resolved in the future if there are no wars
• Redefining war: what specific characteristics today’s wars have that make them different from previous centuries’ wars
• Why wars start today: comparing and contrasting the reasons for wars in the modern world to historical examples
• Subtle wars: how two countries can be at war with each other without having their armies collide in the battlefield
• Cyber peace: how cyberwars can be stopped
• Information as a weapon: how information today lands harder blows than bombs and missiles
• Information wars: how the abundance of information and public access to it have not, nonetheless, eliminated propaganda
• Peace through defeating: how ISIS is different from other states, and how can its violence be stopped
• Is world peace a popular idea? Do modern people mostly want peace or mainly wish to fight against other people and win?
• Personal contributions to world peace
• What can I do for attaining world peace? Personal reflection
• Respect as a means of attaining peace: why respecting people is essential not only on the level of interpersonal communications but also on the level of social good
• Peacefulness as an attitude: how one’s worldview can prevent conflicts
• Why a person engages in insulting and offending : analysis of psychological causes and a personal perspective
• A smile as an agent of peace: how simple smiling to people around you contributes to peacefulness
• Appreciating otherness: how one can learn to value diversity and avoid xenophobia
• Peace and love: how the two are inherently interconnected in everyone’s life
• A micro-level peacemaker: my experiences of resolving conflicts and bringing peace
• Forgiveness for the sake of peace: does forgiving other people contribute to peaceful coexistence or promote further conflicts?
• Noble lies: is it acceptable for a person to lie to avoid conflicts and preserve peace?
• What should a victim do? Violent and non-violent responses to violence
• Standing up for the weak : is it always right to take the side of the weakest?
• Self-defense , overwhelming emotions, and witnessing horrible violence: could I ever shoot another person?
• Are there “fair” wars, and should every war be opposed?
• Protecting peace: could I take up arms to prevent a devastating war?
• Reporting violence: would I participate in sending a criminal to prison?
• The acceptability of violence against perpetrators : personal opinion
• Nonviolent individual resistance to injustice
• Peace is worth it: why I think wars are never justified
• How I sustain peace in my everyday life

Learn more on this topic:

• If I Could Change the World Essay: Examples and Writing Guide
• Ending the Essay: Conclusions
• Choosing and Narrowing a Topic to Write About
• Introduction to Research
• How the U.S. Can Help Humanity Achieve World Peace
• Ten Steps to World Peace
• How World Peace is Possible
• World Peace Books and Articles
• World Peace and Nonviolence
• The Leader of World Peace Essay
• UNO and World Peace Essay
• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to email

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A very, very good paragraph. thanks

Peace and conflict studies actually is good field because is dealing on how to manage the conflict among the two state or country.

Keep it up. Our world earnestly needs peace

A very, very good paragraph.

The Value of Peace Education in Local Communities (Philippines)

(Reposted from: Teach Peace Build Peace Movement.  May 16, 2018 )

By Fort Phil

“Fallen soldier’s kid marches with dad’s commander on graduation day”, came the headline of a Rappler story about a soldier of an Army engineer unit, involved in the construction of a peace center in the village of Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao, who was shot in cold blood on Tuesday morning, April 4, allegedly by a member of a radical armed group. Reading the news report evoked much harrowing emotion considering that the casualty was part of a community project dedicated to promoting peace and development in the area. Sad, but reality on the ground is painfully tragic.

Without question, the consequences of war are brutally devastating particularly to civilians and non-combatants by displacing them from within their own communities, depriving them of their security, and preventing them from achieving full self-realization. The resulting insecurity and instability that follows from these circumstances – lack of basic social services, harsh surroundings and oppressive governments – forces many to turn to the worst imaginable kind of violence in defense of their right to survive. But through these tragic circumstances, attention has also been drawn to the need of comprehensively understanding conflict and preventing any and all conditions leading to violence.

Lives are undeniably lost each day, properties are destroyed, opportunities are wasted and these cannot go on. Just yesterday, April 10, there was a deadly clash between government forces and Abu Sayyaf extremists in Basilan. Ways of doing things must definitely change for the better and this requires a more proactive stance from all stakeholders. A new way of thinking is necessary and must be constructively pushed; but in our earnest desire for a paradigm shift, we must not disregard cultural sensitivity. It is everyone’s duty to closely examine the underlying causes that force people to resort to violence.

The threat to peace stems from a multitude of causes including poverty, environmental deterioration and social injustice. There are a variety of factors including economic, political, social, cultural and environmental grounds from which these causes are founded. Sadly, the technological progress that has brought our world closer together has not been fittingly matched by mutual respect and understanding of other cultures and beliefs. The absence of certainty and security makes it difficult to promote peace, and local peace workers are confronted daily with these variables in the field.

A Culture of Peace in Communities Leads to Peace and Development

The roots of conflict originate from a wide number of cases in different areas. While its nature is complicated, it is universally accepted that violence can be prevented and reduced through the practice of dialogue and negotiations – skills which can be taught through an active program of peace education and consistent promotion of social ethics for peace. Notably, to complement government efforts, many non-government organizations (NGOs) and private individuals have quietly, but effectively, worked in promoting the culture of peace and similar programs. In the Philippines, local NGOs, such as Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, and different well-meaning people’s organizations (POs) contribute significantly to the overall peace effort of the national government.

The impact of violence is boundless. It affects everyone especially the marginalized members of society and its effect is a serious concern particularly to small and isolated communities. Decades of local conflicts have resulted to nothing but misery particularly to those directly affected by violence. Given this backdrop, it becomes imperative that change must come. An apt and revolutionary shift of mindset on how to resolve conflict must evolve if we are to positively move forward as a nation.

History have long proven that war has been a threat, and a scourge, to mankind since the dawn of civilization. This threat ranges from everyday violence of small-scale conflicts, to regional wars and to the vast devastation caused by two world wars. As President Duterte puts it, “No matter the spoils, war is never worth it.”

A violent deed cannot be remedied by another brutal action regardless of whether the act of violence and war is justified by religious, political, economic, social and cultural disputes, it is time to adopt a renewed mindset that promotes peace. The usual method protagonists employ to deal with conflict is through oppressive and martial measures but control and extreme actions are not enough, they merely delay future unimaginable violence. A preventive and pragmatic approach becomes imperative – through peace education and sustainable promotion of a culture for peace and non-violence.

Why peace education program?

Given that violence and war is a product of culture, through the modification of basic cultural mindsets, everyone can work towards creating a culture of peace. We must therefore strive to build a culture which consists of values, attitudes and behaviors that reject violence, one that attempts to prevent conflict by rightfully addressing its root causes with a new view of solving problems through dialogue and negotiations. Remarkably, President Duterte even emphasized “principled position that disputes should be settled in a peaceful manner” in his speech last Sunday, April 9, during the Araw ng Kagitingan commemoration in Bataan. Unjustified violence against any person, or group, has no place in a civilized society.

This writer is a witness to the power of peace education programs, and similar activities, in transforming communities. Building public school classrooms and peace hubs through Bayanihan is one example of a “collective” peace education activity that immensely help local communities a step towards attainment of meaningful peace and development. Peace through the promotion of quality public education encompasses economic, political, social, cultural, moral and ethical issues thereby making it vital in transforming people’s attitudes towards dealing with conflicts. This approach may appear to be complicated to some, or may also be simplistic to a few, but it has worked well in local communities particularly in geographically-remote public schools.

Establishing a culture of peace requires the involvement of all sectors that together shape the country’s culture – institutions such as the government, public officials, NGOs, CSOs, media and especially parents and teachers. Although peace education program is often based in schools and other learning institutions, it should involve the entire community as peace education is not only a necessity in areas where there are conflicts but in all societies. Parents’ role is crucial in teaching and promoting strong family values that foster a culture of peace. After all, it is in the homes that peace is first learned, practiced and nurtured.

Further, the promotion of social ethics in peace education program in schools is an apt strategy in firmly establishing a culture of peace in local communities. Ethics is an important attribute like the basic skills of reading, writing and arithmetic; and it should become a core part of every peace program. Remarkably, the Department of education (DepEd) has established Peace Education Bureau in 2006 to help support the full integration of peace education in all of the curriculum, as well as the activities of all primary and secondary institutions.

Why is Bayanihan the right vehicle for peace education in local communities?

Essentially, the practice of Bayanihan in constructing public school buildings and peace centers is a peace curriculum in itself. The whole exercise is basically a practical application of all the principles in attaining peace and harmony through shared experience and in having a common goal – to collectively build a quality school building for the students. What is more significant than putting into action the philosophy of peace education?

A teacher of a beneficiary-public school in Cordillera has this to say of their bayanihan experience, “Through this Bayanihan project, the people of Butbut tribe have proven that they are united as one and that they are ready to help each other in times of need and to share each one’s success and happiness. This project has been an inspiration to them because they have served their community with glad hearts and open hands. It has been a valuable learning to the youth and students who joined because they learned to be generous and caring towards other people. They also learned the value of volunteerism, cooperation and the spirit of bayanihan.”

Likewise, is there a more valuable affirmation a peace worker can gain than from the statement of appreciation from stakeholders, beneficiary and volunteers involved in the project itself? As Nanay Clarita, a parent-volunteer in one Bayanihan project in Central Luzon, would put it, “Kahit matanda na ako, feeling ko lumalakas ako sa paggawa kapag nakikita ko ang aming mga kasamahan at mga sundalo na nakangiti habang nagtatrabaho sa ilalim ng sikat ng araw. Taga-bomba ako sa mga nag-iigib at minsan ay cook nila sa hapon. Pagod pero enjoy.”

Multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP), especially in building local public schools through volunteerism among parents, teachers, LGUs, civil society organizations (CSOs) and other well-meaning individuals, is a practical approach that has proven to be an effective catalyst in local peace and development. It is a program that has helped quite a number of communities nationwide to further strengthen communal bond and resiliency. By moving as one in constructing new school buildings for the youth, local stakeholders realized that peace and harmony is possible among them. The residents have found also new indigenous ways to boost their chances for socio-economic development. A problem shared is a problem half-solved, so to speak.

Where do we go from here?

As peace-loving citizens and advocates, what can we contribute to local peace efforts?

Given the current global security situation, finding peace and stability become a major challenge for mankind. But in many cases and when properly utilized, the energy stemming from conflict can be directed towards achieving positive change. Communities need to be taught of alternatives in resolving conflict other than military or violent means. Peace education is one way of achieving this end because it directly raises awareness of the roots and causes of conflict. It also provides people with the necessary skills and knowledge how to appropriately respond to disputes. Peace projects, such as the one where the late Army Corporal Tamano Macadatar was involved, should be properly and vigorously supported, protected and sustained by no less than the direct stakeholders and the community itself.

Embracing the positive values of openness and equality must be a societal goal. An open and dynamic society tolerates differing perspectives which helps in coming up with rational consensus. Government and civil society must remain open to change in order to adroitly adapt to our increasingly highly-connected and fast-paced world. It is to the good of everyone to focus on the long-term standpoints; and credible education is one. Importantly, the promotion of culture of peace should inspire people to work for a better tomorrow through shared experiences and goals which stimulate familial love and revitalize communal spirit.

The creation, much more sustainability, of local peace is a long and tedious process that can take years to achieve, but at least the next generations will have the chance to enjoy its benefits. Its attainment must become our united goal as peace-loving citizens, as human beings. Everyone must be politely reminded that anyone who acts with pure intention and right direction can make a profound difference and can influence events that are contributory to a more peaceful future, and our best shot is having a sound and sustainable peace education program both in schools and communities. The government, in close partnership with different stakeholders, needs to focus on proactive and constructive measures that encourage the development of a culture of peace. Being in authority, it is ideal that the government take the lead.

Indeed, winning the peace is never easy and we must not stop from trying. May each one of us always share the importance of peace education program, and similar activities, in bringing about a community in which people willingly cooperate for the benefit of all, acting in altruism and selflessness, recognizing the values of non-violence and respect for human rights.

( Go to original article )

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Philippines

Promoting peace and preventing youth radicalization in Mindanao, Philippines

Changing minds together!

The southern Philippines has endured decades of conflict, violence, and the presence of armed groups. Poverty, poor governance and the ambiguous implementation of the peace agreements with the Moro Fronts has left this region vulnerable and still no closer to peace. This situation has also damaged the credibility of the Moro Fronts that have lent strong support to a seemingly never-ending peace process. In the meantime, more splinter armed groups have emerged, some of which have developed extreme ideologies. Young Moros are drawn to these groups in the belief that they can address their aspirations for autonomy and freedom, albeit through violent means.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is well aware of, and deeply concerned about, this trend, and has asked the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) for support in gathering the young members of their communities to see what can be done to reverse this worrying trend. Over the past year, the MILF, supported by HD, has organised Youth Fora throughout the southern Philippines, in order to reach out to as many young Filipino Muslims as possible.

The fora aim to encourage the Moro youth to be actively involved in peacebuilding initiatives and to preserve and promote the gains of the peace process. They also encourage young people to refrain from joining extremist groups. The fora have now become well-recognized platforms for promoting peace, dialogue and more moderate forms of Islam amongst youth in Mindanao.

The gatherings also offered young people with an opportunity to exchange thoughts, practical tips and suggestions based on their personal experiences, on ways to identify extremist groups’ recruitment strategies. During the last Youth Forum organised by the MILF and HD in September 2017, a young man shared his own experience of having been invited to attend a series of meetings through a friend from his local community. It turned out later that the meetings thought to indoctrinate him and his peers. The young man expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share his story and spread the word.

The first series of youth fora organised in 2017 have already become an appreciated and recognised avenue for young people to learn from each other, share experiences, and discuss effective ways of preventing youth radicalisation. The MILF and HD intend to hold a final Youth Summit by March 2018, which will bring together the most active participants from the previous conferences to share lessons learned and report back on initiatives they have since undertaken within their respective communities.

— Annieza Mohamed

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