Category: Peace

One could say that our aggression that translate to war is within human nature, and achieving positive peace can make things difficult, as we are all wired into having our own strong beliefs. War is inevitable as it occurs when people are oppressed and change via peaceful protest is no longer an option. Positive peace can be achieved when there is justice for all sides of discussion while eliminating the tension from rising once again. Since March 15th, 2011, the civil war in Syria has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions of civilians. My theory of positive peace will showcase how we can put aside violence to obtain peace and look for a way we can end the civil war in Syria through a much harmonious approach.

Positive peace can only be seen when there is a desire for good without any violence and tension. Positive peace can be obtained when we can eliminate the hatred between one another and inflict a general and complete peace in society. That being said, pleasing each side of the situation can be a daunting task. Coming up with a plan that will make both sides happy enough will not be successful if there is negative peace, which tends to occur without justice. Negative peace only gives a flawed solution that will erupt when tensions boil over the surface. For instance, if sending airstrikes to a foreign enemy is the aggressors’ plan to ensure peace, it fails to recognize that the foreign citizens from that nation will only retaliate as injustice was used to pursue peace.

Society can be recognized by the two extremes: general and complete war (GCW) and general and complete peace (GCP). GCW is a state in which violent interactions among individuals is the rule and where living conditions are dire, if not impossible. Under GCW, “the Hobbesian condition reigns, there is bellum omnium contra omnes… The world has a completely individualistic structure; there is no group formation with cooperation within and conflict between the groups” (Galtung, 1964). The use of violence to destroy whomever’s livelihood will lead to growing tensions and an ever-increasing injustice amongst themselves. On the other hand, GCP is a utopia without any boundaries. A prime example is the Pax Romana. The Pax Romana was the longest time of peace for the Romans, lasting two hundred seven years. The peace led the empire to focus on science, which brought even greater prosperity to mankind (Britannica, 2018). Overall, the thought of peace can be achieved to better of mankind by bringing justice for all.

The civil war in Syria is one of the worst humanitarian crises of all time, as millions of Syrians are seeking refugee from their war-torn homes. The recent use of chemical weapons which is a direct violation to the Geneva Conventions, shows the severity of this growing issue. Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad ordered shots to be taken against peaceful Arab demonstrators. This led to protestors to fire back and thus the civil war began. Shortly after, extremist groups from all around the world start to join the rebels, which made foreign powers to support the rebels in a time of need. Around the time of 2013, the Middle East is divided between Sunni powers, supporting the rebels, and Shias, supporting Assad, and the USA under the Obama administration entered the proxy war as Russia is backing Assad. Meanwhile, during all this conflict an internal disagreement within the rebels awakened a former al-Qaeda affiliate breaks away and call themselves Islamic State. The Islamic State (ISIS) begins it caliphate capturing land. This led to the United States of America to reveal its ulterior motive and attack the greatest threat to them. With no country being on the same page, the US begins to support the Syrian rebels only if they attack ISIS instead of Assad. When Trump was elected to be president, he vowed to stay away from the Syrian crisis and let Assad remain in control. In 2017, Assad once again launches chemical weapons, ultimately killing eighty-five people and twenty children. This multidimension chess is horrendous as it does not appear to be a solution in the near feature through negative peace.

Through peace, the Middle East and Syria can be restored if mankind can persevere. Solving the crisis in Syria is a very hard problem to deal with as the United States and Russia are supporting rival countries and extremist groups fighting for their own goal which does not go hand and hand with everyone’s ultimate desire. Achieving positive peace can happen when all the injustice can come to a holt. One of the first step would be reconciliation amongst the former combatants (Wagner, 2017). In order to do so, Russia and the United States would have to stop insinuate the civil war in Syria and let their personal motives go. Secondly, any extremist groups would have to eliminate their tactlessness and show some diplomacy with their movement. Using Syria to further their goal only creates more internal affairs, and having their goal projected in unity can go a long way. Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran would have to stop be beneficiaries for Assad and the rebels to stop adding fuel to the war. Their involvement adding officers, money and cargo supplies will surely help de-escalate the situation from getting any worse than it is in its current state. With ISIS losing its power in the Middle East, the foreign fighters will have to deter from the extreme narratives and co-exist with Western or Eastern society. Finally, Assad and the rebels would have to ensure a peaceful agreement at this point due to all the fighting that transpire.

Based off my theory of peace, two options could develop, such as a democracy modeled off of an elected government is ideal since there was a such a divide in sides leading up to the civil war. Alternatively, the International Court of Justice can intervene as its overall objective is come to a peaceful solution on the foundation on justice.

In times like these, imagine what the world would be like if everyone was in harmony. With all the differences between all nations and the people who inhabit it, it seems as if there will never be peace on earth. Although, many believe that it can be achieved through social, personal, economic, institution, and political peace. The world is spiraling into a downfall and the human race is needed to come together to stop it. However, humans have both selfishness and kindness and with this means that there is always going to be some differences. There are many things that us as a human being can do to help better the world, we live in. Violence is a big ongoing conflict that seems to never stop. Over the years violence continues to start wars, kill thousands, and separate families. Not only is violence a concern but also the way the world is being treated. What humans do to the Earth is hard to take back. Slowly the ozone and greenhouse gases are going to take a toll. The world as we know it is definitely taken for granted. Not taken care of the world is like not taken care of our house we live in. The movies of utopias seem far-fetched, but with the rising technology we could be anywhere within the next ten years. Change is always a guarantee for the world, within the last two-hundred years we are nowhere close to where we were. We now have cars, cell phones, internet, everyday used appliances that make our life easier. There has always been war and killing, but it has been a question if it will ever come to a cease. The world can’t be at peace without the human race coming together because we are the ones who tore it apart. Tearing it apart is definitely not what humans are trying to do, but they are nowhere close to trying to stop it. The human race needs to all come as one and take on what has never been done before.

In order to bring peace to Earth we have to start by bringing equality between men and women. Since the beginning of time women have not been treated the same as men. In these times us as a world-wide population is taking steps closer to equalizing sex equality. Gender equality isn’t just a right but a way to move in the right direction toward a more peaceful world. At this time, 1 in 5 women/girls between the ages of 15-49 have reported experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner within a 12-month period and 49 out of 195 countries currently have no laws protecting women from domestic violence. Giving women equal health care, education, jobs, and recognition in political and economic decision making will better economies and benefit societies. Globally, 750 million women and girls were married before the age of 18 and at least 200 million women and girls in 30 countries have undergone FGM. FMG (female genital mutilation) involves the removal of the clitoris, inner-and-outer lips of the vagina, and the sewing or stapling together of the two sides of the vulva leaving only a small hole to pass urine and menstruate – depending on the type. This is typically performed with a razor blade on girls between the ages of 4 and 12. The aftermath of this procedure includes heavy bleeding, pain, loss of sensitivity, complication during childbirth, infertility, severe pain during sex, and many infections. These kinds of torture among the women and girls are outrageous. In no world should this be happening to children or adults and that’s why women need to come together and take a stand. Then every minute 28 girls are married before they are ready. 3-year-old Ethiopian girls are married at this age. Only 3 years old and already a prospect of getting married. Why is this happening, why are the parents letting this happen? This is totaling to over 15 million early marriages a year. There are always 781 million illiterate adults worldwide over ⅔ of these are women. Women are twice as likely not to receive education than men. Men and women both represent half of the population, but men have most of the power in the world. Many use the religion they are in as an example that men are superior to women, although some religions state that women are the goddess because they represent the cycle of life. People stereotype men and women, men are stereotyped to be more ambitious, decisive and aggressive. Women being the more loving, caretaker, and soft overall. According to Giving Compass, we must start by empowering women and including women in political views. It is also stated that we must give equal rights among everyone. Studies shown by the United Nations that by empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth. The United Nations Charter is an organization that, “promotes and encourages respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion”. The United Nations Charter is a multilateral international treaty which focuses on human rights, solving economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian international problems. Although charters like this one are in effect there is still global disruption throughout all topics.

Through achieving the goal of world peace, the process of peace between nations must be in effect. From 2,700 B.C there has been an on and off war between different beliefs, otherwise known as political views. Over the course of history getting accustomed to war has been easier than seeking peace. This often happens from clashes in religion, revenge, disputes of territory, or political standings. People are always going to have different opinions, but no one’s opinions matter more than any other persons. In today’s world people need to know and understand someone’s thoughts and feelings instead of not agreeing or causing conflict. Being entitled to an opinion is different from expressing an opinion violently. According to ABC News, March 13th, 2018 a Florida teen was attending his friends’ sleepover where he stabbed three people and killed one. During an interview, Corey Johnson confessed to stabbing the victims for their religious beliefs. While further investigating, police found that Johnson had recently converted to Islam, and the victim had made fun of the way Johnson prayed. All of this could have been handled a different way, but being human mistakes were made and it went down a violent path instead. By looking at cases like these people need to realize nothing is gained in killing, discriminating, or hurting someone. Seeing both sides of the story or opinion and understanding that people all believe in different things, but that doesn’t mean we can’t accept all.

Another step we can take to achieve peace is equal wealth. According to New Internationalist the World Bank survey, “40 percent of those who join rebel groups do so because of a lack of economic opportunities”. If the wealth of someone gives them a higher ranking and luxury then there’s going to be conflict. In the U.S there are many reasons why wealth isn’t equally distributed. The causes of increasing and decreasing wages and income falter all 24/7, the falling of labor also the incoming technology changes the median wages of the U.S labor market. With the business people of American and the rest of the countries it’s very far-fetched to see the hard-working people give up their earnings to make the world a better place. Although limiting your annual income, is one way the government can control the equal wealth. Controlling the equal wealth means the government could have more money to use on more efficient things. This also could end world hunger and poverty. Everyone having an annual income of around 60 to 70 thousand dollars each year could give each person a good life if they manage their money. Then the problem would be people’s schooling and education. Changing the amount of schooling for each occupation to 5 years or all the same amount of education would solve the dilemma. Equalizing everything in the world would better the world and another step closer to global peace.

It is noted that most people don’t trust the government of their own country. Facts from the New Internationalist state that conflict happens in places where people can’t trust the police or get any access to justice. In third world countries the amount of justice is little to none. People have to rely on themselves as their own justice. Rapes in many countries like Mexico, Brazil, and many others go unattended to or not even reported. Drug wars with the Mexican cartel with the Mexican government is ongoing. Sex trafficking is also an ongoing problem. Justice is very hard to get in places where the government; barely cares or doesn’t act itself. According to the United Nations, the United Nations Charter and in its Preamble states and sets an objective, “to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international can be maintained”. This treaty’s primary goals are to keep the same international law and peace among the nations. If all of the countries of the world came together and picked on form of government, all had one military, and had all the same laws the injustice that is ongoing in other countries would then be able to be abolished with the government and law of the ‘new government’. Having one main government would also solve many other problems like, war, sanctions, and even economic depressions. Solving economic depressions is also a step in the direction of equal wealth. Overall, if the governments stop the abuse of power over their own people and stop spreading the outlook of hate among people, humans would be in a better place.

Although many people don’t believe in climate change it seems to be an ongoing problem. NASA Climate Change states that, “the global surface temperature has risen to 1.62 degrees Fahrenheit, which is .09 degrees Celsius”. This has happened because of the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere including all the other pollution that is put into the air. The warming started about 35 years ago and has slowly continued to grow very little each year. In record 2016 was the hottest year yet, January through September had all record heats. The oceans have also become warming being .04 degrees hotter than usual. The arctic ice caps and sheets has plummeted in mass all in all losing 286 billion tons of use from 1969 till 2016 on record. Then Antarctic ice mass loss has tripled. The number of glaciers is also dropping around the world. Now that the ice and snow is melting the sea levels are rising, even rising 8 inches within the past century slightly growing each year. The number of intense rainfalls is also increasing with the hotter temperatures. All this is happening because of the increase of industrialization which increases the carbon monoxide in the oceans and atmosphere. As of right now the United States is not doing much to change the ongoing climate change problem. Changing the amount of pollution being released into the atmosphere means making the earth safer and renewing more resources. Greenhouse gases are very essential to human life and the environment reflects some of the sun rays and reflects them back to space. The increasing deforestation, agriculture and industrialization increases the amount of greenhouse gases and is risen to record levels. People around the world even protest against climate change. Since 2014 people have taken action to protest against climate change. Many people know Greta Thunberg for her protests from the Pacific islands, through Australia, across-south east Asia and Africa into Europe and onwards to the Americas. An estimated 185 countries where these actions took place had individual targets. From the rising sea levels in Solomon Islands, toxic waste in South Africa, to air pollution and plastic waste in India and coal expansion in Australia. Overall, all of the protests come together to stabilize climate change. This protest includes many young people. Using more environmentally friendly products that do not pollute or use our fossil fuels. The united climate agreement is the proof that the world can take on climate change. Making a reliable deal could end climate change. With the end of climate change humans can focus on making new resources that involve natural resources. Paris has made an agreement to combat climate change. Making eco-friendly vehicles at low cost so low- income families can afford them, growing more trees so we can make organic coal to replace fossil fuels is steps that can be taken to stop climate change.

World peace can be achieved through, stopping exclusion, bringing true equality to men and women, sharing equal wealth, tackling climate change, controlling arm sales, accepting political space, but the people must realize that not only one person can change the world. It takes the people that inhabit the Earth to make a change. Yes, people can influence one another and that’s what it is going to take. One person saying or showing what we can do together. Start by listening to one another’s opinions and problem solving with one another. Show someone their voice can be heard. According to 80,000 Hours what we think matters happens over a long period of time. Meaning we basically think change takes years to happen. Recently on CNN activists have been protesting peace with Iran. The use of the drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani has made people uneasy and fearing war with Iran. January 4, 2020 anti-war protesters assembled across the U.S against starting a war with Iran. Act Now to Stop War and End Racism has helped organize these protests across the United States. Over 70 protests have taken place so far. People think the welfare of the people living in the future matters no less than ours. Making a difference is defined by, “The number of people whose lives you improve, and how much you improve them”. In other words, you can increase the impact you have in a few ways. One by helping more people or helping the same number of people with more extent. Helping more and more people out with great intentions will ultimately solve our problem. Not only did protests break out over the United States, but they also sprung up around the world. The Guardian reports that over 600 towns across the world rallied for no war with Iraq. Protesters from Tasmania to Iceland all marched. Over 30 million people worldwide demonstrated world peace and over 6 million in Europe alone. Tens of thousands filled the streets in Iraq for protests. The younger generation is also protesting and trying to make world peace. According to NPR millions of young people across the world raised their voices in a massive display on climate change. Some students even skipped school to be involved in the protest. Harshita Ray says, “I’d rather go protest about the Earth and how something is going wrong than sit in my classroom and act like nothing is happening”. Nonviolent protests are allowed, but when it turns to violet authorities have to step in. Even celebrities protest over world peace. John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono protested against the war with Vietnam. Henry David Thoreau in 1849 protested against slavery. Then as we all know Rosa Parks stood up and protested for civil rights. All these people are protesting for peace not to take anything away from anyone, but for the greater good of the world. Continuing to move forward, instead of backward, is always a step in the right direction. Although the world seems to be taking steps back instead of forward. It takes more effort than people are willing to put out. They believe the way it is now will not affect them or the future they won’t have to deal with. It’s our generation that will have to deal with the long-term effects of what is happening now.

References

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8. Neuman, Scott, and Bill Chappell. ‘Young People Lead Millions To Protest Global Inaction On Climate Change’. NPR, NPR, 20 Sept. 2019, http://www.npr.org/2019/09/20/762629200/mass-protests-in-australia-kick-off-global-climate-strike-ahead-of-u-n-summit
9. New Internationalist Editorial More About New Internationalist Editorial XNew Internationalist Is a Lifeline for Activists, et al. ‘10 Steps to World Peace’. New Internationalist, 1 May 2019, http://newint.org/features/2018/09/18/10-steps-world-peace
10. Prior, Ryan, and Alisha Ebrahimji. ‘Activists Across the US and the World Protest a Possible War with Iran’. CNN, Cable News Network, 4 Jan. 2020, http://www.cnn.com/2020/01/04/us/iran-protests-roundup-trnd/index.html
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World peace is an ideal of freedom, peace, and happiness among and within all nations and/or people. Christianity and Judaism are both monotheistic religious traditions that promote world peace through many religious organizations, aiding the development of peace in the world, sought in the principal beliefs of both religions. Christianity and world peace are centered on the New Testament which underlines the importance of inner peace that leads to world peace and how adherents need to adhere to God to reach the ultimate goal of world peace. Similarly, in Judaism, the significance of peace in the world is perpetuated in such sacred texts including the Talmud and the ‘Prophetic Vision of The Earth’, leading adherents in the emergence of global peace. Such organizations and practices including the ANDCMJ, national pacifism, and the gathering of religious leaders in 2002, all promoted the uprise of interfaith dialogue, resulting in the movement of world peace as “strive for peace with everyone” is the peace ideology encircled around Christianity and Judaism.

World peace alludes to the global freedom and tranquillity that religions including Christianity and Judaism strive to achieve. The Holy Bible guides adherents to achieving inner peace. Augustine was a theologist from the early Catholic Church and developed the idea of just war theory. Some realist pacifists considered Augustine; however, some did not consider him a peacemaker, as his ‘realistic’ approach contradicted the very core of pacifism, no war. His ideologies are supported within the Bible line “Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword”. An example of a Christian adherent who strived to obtain inner peace was Ben Shalom. He was an American Catholic who accepted the death sentence rather than go to war. He wrote a letter to President Wilson, which stated, “The commandment thou shalt not kill is unconditional and inexorable.” Hence, his pacifist ideologies related to the core beliefs of divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, in Judaism, national pacifism is believed that people will receive goodwill if they remain meek, passive, and useful. This is evident in (Isaiah 2, 3) — “nations shall not take the sword against nation”. The Jewish concept of peace is part of a totality that includes justice, compassion, and reflection in the idea of ‘Tikkun Olam’, leading to peace and equality around the world. Self-defence is another factor leading to world peace. An individual has an obligation to protect their lives, as seen in the quote “If a thief is caught breaking in and then is struck and dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed” (Exodus 22:22), hence highlighting that national pacifism is a key stepping-stone into world peace.

Christianity and Judaism both contribute to world peace through the development of inter-faith dialogue between religious affiliations. Inter-faith dialogue is significant in the path to world peace, as seen by a number of events and organizations. Christianity, being a religion that “strives for peace with everyone” underlines the importance of world peace that is through the council of Muslims, Jews, and Christians that is important in developing mutual understanding between the religions, discussing issues from poverty to social justice issues. Further inter-faith dialogue was additionally perpetuated when religious leaders gathered after the 2014 Sydney siege, to clear up any misunderstandings about the teachings of the Islamic religion and to help reduce the risk of another incident occurring. In Judaism, inter-faith dialogue is evident when Jewish Rabbis and Muslim Sheiks gathered in August 2018, to pray together for the drought-affected areas of NSW, as a natural disaster brought together two religions. Judaism expresses the importance of unity in “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18)this event created inter-faith dialogue and links back to the belief in a single God who is the creator and ruler of the universe. Both Christianity and Judaism signify the importance of inter-faith dialogue in achieving world peace as seen by past events and organizations.

World peace is an important factor in resolving world issues and creating harmony and peace throughout different religions. In Christianity, adherents aim to express their inner attitudes to the world, allowing for the uprise of world peace. Christianity strives towards peace globally which is seen through World Peace Day, celebrated on the first day of January, where the pope issues a statement on a theme that is relevant and global. In 2009, the pope’s statement was to fight poverty as evident in his speech “Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation”, helping recognize the importance of world peace connecting to the principal teaching of salvation. Furthermore, world peace is evident in the bible in “seek peace and pursue it”, underlining to adherents that achieving peace, share it amongst other adherents for it to spread, hence resulting in the development of world peace.

In Christianity, the Bible emphasizes the importance of refugees and saving them. This is visible in “God loves the foreigner residing you” (Deut 10:18-19), highlighting the importance of saving refugees from harsh conditions, linking to the belief of salvation. The pope even went as far as to state, “Please do not extinguish the hopes in their heart”. However, while Christianity preaches the safety of the refugees and their well-being, refugees are sent to Manus and Nauru Island with 22% of the refugees Christian, hindering the path to world peace. The Geneva Spiritual Appeal of 1999 addressed religious causes of human suffering. Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, and Christians, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding between religions and illustrating ‘God’s image of peace and harmony, attended the event. Throughout Judaism, the road to achieving world peace is clearly significant in the program of ‘believing women for a culture of peace’. This program aims to build alliances and counter divisions in religions and acknowledges the bonding foundation and power of religious faith that was founded in Brisbane in 2003. Additionally the term ‘shalom’ links to the Jewish greetings and links to “peace unto you”, emphasizing that world peace can only be achieved through individual commitment, established through the principal teaching of the covenant between adherents and God.

For Jody Williams, the meaning of peace is that most people here in the world have adequate access to live, have adequate access to education and health needs. Not singing ‘Kumbaya My Lord’, not symbolize the dove and the rainbow is true peace. Jody Williams showed what she wanted to convey in key terms related to peace, she exemplified people showing peaceful demeanor, and she used common general speech to reach people. And based on the people she mentioned, everyone who claims to have peace must take action, so the people Williams mentioned have devised other methods to bring people together, and they can say what they want to convey. And wants to make the world new and to have peace.

Jody Williams said that human security is essential in determining peace in a society. She said she was not completely pacifist like other people, she did not know that the government required to spend big money just for military defense. Williams stressed that hopefully that budget would have been used for more rational things to make our country more secure around the world. Through the use of money or budget, many can be provided with medical equipment for underdeveloped societies, saving endangered species and creating a new and healthier environment for the next generation to use, see and care for. So that the security of the people of the world can be ensured that the world is peaceful for all.

Jody Williams continues to make endless arguments for world peace by explaining and meeting with a Buddhist monk. The Buddhist monk told Williams she has become skeptical because she believes that meditation and prayer will not ensure world peace, but in action will ensure world peace. The woman called ‘Tree Lady’; Williams described her heroism as a 2004 Peace Prize laureate. She was nicknamed ‘Tree Lady’ because it describes how creative she is with her action to ensure peace. As she planted his trees and gathered community members to help him, at these gatherings the authoritarianism of the government was discussed.

Jody Williams’ general technique in her speech is precise, straightforward, and infallible in what is said, her voice is strong in tone because she pronounces it with meaning and power. Peace cannot be achieved in hope, but it takes organization, courage and effort so that they can be realized. Jody went through the list of people who strive for the peace of our country and sacrificed to continue to fight. Jody Williams wants to convey that today we as a people need those who are able to rise up and act to restore the true meaning of peace. And if each of us who care about something else that we value would step up and volunteer, it will change and save the world. We have to do it ourselves.

Peace has been the greatest aspiration of humankind at a personal level and in communities they reside. Peace has been talked, thought, taught and studied in numerous ways. For better understanding on status of negative and positive peace in African context, it is crucial to first analyze the key terms majorly used in this write up: violence, conflict, peace, positive and negative peace. Peace is relative to many people and scholars have expressed their dissatisfaction in trying to attach a specific meaning to the term, as it is perceived as a multifaceted term that has various connotations ranging from personal, collective, and institutional aspirations. Peace is the non-warring state of a nation, group of nations or globe, it is a treaty between warring antagonistic nations or groups to end hostilities and refrain from further fighting or antagonism, resulting into a state of mutual harmony between people, groups, or neighbors, also described as liberty from civil uproar and violence of community. Therefore, peace is not necessarily deficiency of any conflict but it is deficiency of all forms of violence and describes conflict in a positive way. It is important to recognize that peace is a multidimensional concept, thus there are difficulties in its refined definition.

Violence is when “human beings are being influenced so that their actual somatic and mental realizations are below their potential realizations” (Galtung, 1969: 168). Violence is extreme form of aggression, such as assault, rape and murder. The violent acts are geared towards creating and sustaining control and power over another person or group, and this kind of manipulation relation is fueled by disparities present in society. Many African states have experienced various forms of violence: physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, cultural, verbal, financial and neglect. For instance, in Nigeria nearly all forms of violence have been perpetrated by Boko Haram militia: physical violence (many women and children have been hurt somatically in some instances resulting to death), psychological violence (children have experienced this kind of violence aimed at decreasing mental potentialities through brainwashing, lies, threats and indoctrination), sexual violence (many women have suffered sexual and gender-based violence that is sexual act imposed by force, threat, coercion or by taking advantage of coercive environment of a person’s incapacity to give consent; many women have been raped and assaulted by militia. Galtung (2017) further defines that violence as actual and potential, if citizens in a country suffer or die as a result of avoidable calamity or cause, this is termed as violence. The avoidable deficiencies of basic human needs or life that hinders people from meeting their needs or releasing their full potential, therefore deprivations and exclusions in society are perceived as violence. A case in point is the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe in 2008, scores of citizens succumbed to the disease. Cholera is avoidable and treatable, but due to government neglect through substandard medical service provision and negligence on public health, the disease claimed lives. Government deprivation from quality healthcare and neglect of public health thus exposing citizens to hazards and increasing their vulnerability to disease is violence. Furthermore, the disparities and inequalities witnessed in education sector among various African countries, such as Kenya, can be termed as structural violence. Structural violence occurs when discrepancies exist among certain groups based on status, gender or nationalities in access to goods, services, resources and opportunities. The inequalities entrenched in social, political and economic institutions and systems that govern a country are considered as violence.

Peace is perceived as having two sides: absence of personal violence and absence of structural violence referred to as negative and positive respectively (Galtung, 2017). Negative peace is further defined as absence of violence or the fear of violence. Many African states are experiencing negative peace, there is absence of war or violence, however structural violence is deep-rooted in institutions. Negative peace also referred to as peace without justice peace, which broods at the expense of justice. In negative peace, violence and conflict are invisible, however there is presence of flaring tensions beneath the surface, which could blow up to violence with slightest provocation. Negative peace persists due to unresolved issues that could range from unresolved historical injustices to constant accumulation of unresolved issues and injustices. Negative peace looks into addressing direct symptoms, conditions of war and effects of force.

According to Positive Peace Report 2017 (PPR), positive peace is defined as the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies. The same factors that create peace also lead to many other positive outcomes that societies aspire to, such as thriving economies, better inclusion, high levels of resilience and societies that are more capable of adapting to change. Therefore, positive peace can be described as creating an optimum environment in which human potential can flourish (PPR, 2017). Positive peace has been linked to presence of calmness, harmony, wellbeing, justice, equity, strengthened human bonds, shared human values and shared feelings of humanity. Positive peace is also perceived as genuine, lasting and sustainable peace centered on justice for all people. According to Galtung, absence of structural violence is referred to as social justice.

The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) has identified eight pillars of positive peace. The first is a well-functioning government that delivers high quality public and civil service, promotes trust, participation, and political stability and preserves the rule of law. Since the government represents society, it is tasked with mandate of responding to citizens needs irrespective of their affiliation or identities. It is the duty of government to ensure that investment in public good is performed effectively, ensuring community’s needs are adequately addressed, resulting to well-being and peaceful community. A well-functioning government will ensure that public resources, services and goods are equitable distributed and accessible to all citizens. Such measures will ensure no member is marginalized and fosters inclusive development where no one is left behind, thus creating peaceful coexistence. A visionary government also ensures state institutions are guided by values, principles and law to ensuring citizens receive services without prejudice, therefore strengthening social justice. A well-functioning government ensures conflict is handled creatively resulting into stronger communities rather than conflict escalating to violence. Therefore, for positive peace to prevail, African leaders must ensure policies and strategies are people centered in fulfilling citizen’s demands and wants.

Another positive peace pillar is the equitable distribution of resources. Studies have shown peaceful countries promote equity in access to resources like education and health. This helps in bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, also aids in addressing issues of inequalities and marginalization among the vulnerable group. Fair access to resources also advances human capital, thus increasing opportunities for realizing citizens’ potential.

The third pillar is the rights of others. Studies indicate that countries with high levels of positive peace promote tolerance and respect among groups irrespective of their ethnic, linguistic, gender, religious and social economic status diversities. In Central African Republic, the civil war has persisted due to inter-ethnic tensions between Christians and Muslims as a result of intolerance to others’ rights, hence deteriorating gains in positive peace. According to International Peace Institute (IPI), Senegal has cultivated inclusion, diversity and pluralism as part of national identity, therefore promoting acceptance of others’ rights, as well as increasing positive peace (IPI, 2018).

The free flow of information pillar looks into the extent which citizens easily access and exchange information with freedom from restraint or censorship. States with high levels of positive peace have free and independent media, greater access to unregulated information via various mediums and freedom of civil society, thus guaranteeing well enlightened citizens who are capable of articulating their issues and are able to make coherent decisions. Open and unbiased dispersion of information is also essential in keeping government accountable, thus ensuring good governance where citizens are able to participate in political, social, economic and cultural processes and express their sentiment without fear or prejudice. Access to technology has also been linked to increase and speed of information flow around the globe. Access to technology has averted violence, advanced peace, accountability and transparency of governments and private sector as well. Eritrea is regarded as the world’s worst press freedom predators by Reporters Without Boarders (RSF), and was ranked number 179th out of 180 in 2019 World Press Freedom Index.

The good relations with neighbors pillar reveals countries with good relations with their neighbors, utilizes diplomacy and negotiation to manage disagreements and conflicts rather than resulting to violent. Good relations with neighboring states ensure success in foreign direct investment, tourism and humanitarian help during crisis, all these are crucial to country’s development agenda. More importantly, good relations foster peaceful coexistence and ensure positive regional integration. Equatorial Guinea has been in constant wrangles with its neighbors Gabon and Cameroon. Persistent tensions have ensued with Gabon due to oil rich territory. Equatorial Guinea has had minimal participation in regional integration, thus backtracking regional cooperation in the region, therefore lowering levels of positive peace among neighbors.

Another pillar is a sound business environment. Countries with high levels of positive peace are constantly striving to advance sound business environment and formal institutions that enable triumphs in private sector. Political instability of any country will directly influence the performance of private sector, and countries linked to positive peace have heavily invested in economic environment, thus attracting more investors and improving economic status. Rwanda is known to have invested in regulatory system that are conducive for investors more, so the president has advocated for longer sentences for corruption culprits in order to control levels of corruption. Such measures have aided advancement of positive peace in Rwanda.

The third is the high levels of human capital pillar. Skilled human capital results from intentional investments in education and heath this guarantees literate and skilled labor force which results into economic value of country. Mauritius has massively invested in human capital via provision of free education up to university, thus productive and reliable workforce. In addition, the state also warranties free and accessible health care, thus improving citizens’ well-being. African youthful population can reap from demographic dividend via investment human capital.

And the last positive peace pillar is the low level of corruption. Many African states are grappling with the issue of corruption. Countries with high levels of corruption results to misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds, consequently leading to poor service provision or even lack of it. Positive peace entrenched in a country’s system will ensure those culpable are held accountable. Such systems also aim at addressing issues of inequalities in resource allocation, strengthening of institutions, thus promoting peaceful cohesion. Prevalent levels of corruption are likely and have resulted into civil unrest, which have escalated to violence and even to civil wars in some African states. High levels of corruption in Kenya have impeded peace positive progress. The country has been marred with many corruption scandals that have not been resolved. Due misappropriation of public funds, many citizens cannot access quality public services such as health care. Because of corruption inequalities have emerged that have propagated unrests among citizens. More so, inequalities in public resources distribution have led to ethnic conflict among various communities in Kenya.

From the above discussion, it is evident that positive peace is multifaceted initiative that requires a complete overhaul of values, principles, culture and policies in a state. For positive peace to be achieved and entrenched in any state, there has to be deliberate and intentional agendas.

In attempts to achieve positive peace many African states have experienced various challenges. According to International Peace Institute (IPE), many initiatives have been centered on ending conflict rather than sustaining peace. Peace has to be the starting point of analysis by detecting societal factors that enable lasting peace. A lot of efforts are invested in trying to unearth factors that enable conflict, while neglecting those that will guarantee sustainable peace.

Focusing on short-term solutions that are time bound instead of focusing on long-term solutions that will yield sustainable, positive peace. Peace initiatives are mainly run by donors whose projects are time framed and do not offer long lasting solution as they are quick to move to next project. Positive peace building ought to be viewed as a gradual process that incorporates short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions. A five-year project is not adequate to establish positive peace in a society. More so even after violence and peace agreements have been signed positive peace initiatives should continue not only to curb reemergence of conflict, but also continue to strengthen institutions and help address issues of structural violence.

Many initiatives have not been locally owned due to lack of or inadequate participation, thus communities do not fully support these initiatives. In formulating positive peace project local communities have not been consulted and approaches and solutions have been imposed on them, thus neglecting indigenous knowledge and capabilities. Due to inadequate involvement of community, many efforts have proved futile and unsustainable. A bottom-up approach should be considered when designing and implementing positive initiatives, rather than a top-down approach, this ensures community ownership of process. Inclusive participation will also ensure the needs of everyone are addressed, including the marginalized. Sustaining peace initiatives ought to be locally owned, regionally anchored and internationally supported (IPE, 2017).

Positive peace initiatives have been handled as stand-alone projects, because positive is multi-dimensional affair even when it comes to designing projects these projects should incorporate other actors. Government or donors cannot be the sole players, other sectors have to be involved, for instance, the private sector, community-based organizations (CBOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious organizations and others. Government partnerships with various partners both local and international is pivotal.

Many positive peace efforts have been failed due to lack of political will (Daley, 2006). Some leaders have vested interest and will be unwilling to change the status quo. Many of extractive institutions that enact negative peace are enabled by leaders who would be reluctant to promote change, instead would want to pursue selfish ambitions (Acemoglo & Robinson, 2012).

Speaking about the exclusion of civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in positive peace initiatives, it should be noted that they are perceived as a preserve for a few in government and political spaces, therefore neglecting the rest. CSOs are very critical in articulating citizens’ voice, campaigning and advocating for peace therefore their contribution in positive peace processes cannot be overlooked.

In the context of the interference by international actors, it should be noted that many peace processes have been high jacked by international actors with aim of advancing vested interest. For instance, France’s involvement in Libya that has left the country in deplorable state. Also, the World Bank’s structural adjustment programs in the 1980s and 1990s failed to achieve appropriate outcomes for African states (Daley, 2006). International organizations have been accused of neglecting contextual heterogeneity in implementing solutions, their homogenous transplanted remedies have advanced retrogression rather than progress.

Another challenge in advancing positive peace in Africa has been the interrelatedness of conflicts, a number of conflicts experienced in Africa have spilled over to neighboring states, thus complicating attempts to foster peace. Due to vested interests, leaders from neighboring states have declined cooperation and support in addressing issues pertaining peace. Some are perceived to derail peace progress. However, on the flip side good relations with neighbors can aid peace progress and promote economic growth (Collier, 2007).

The deep-rooted culture of impunity among African states, the snail pace in prosecuting perpetrators of crimes against humanity have impeded progress towards realization of positive peace. Many countries in the region lack accountability and commitment in resolving gross human violations, inequalities and corruption. As result the vicious cycle of impunity has persisted.

In conclusion, positive peace is a multidimensional concept which requires multifaceted strategies and initiatives that requires time and well-thought-out process in implementing them. Attaining positive peace is an intricate gradual process, hence African states can invest more in preventive mechanisms such as advancing human rights as an enabler to achieving positive peace. Linking human rights and sustaining peace agendas offers a distinctive, strategic entry point to help shift from a culture of crisis management to one of prevention (IPI, 2017). Another recommendation is incorporating peace education in public and private institutions and communities to enhance behavioral transformation. Peace education is about impacting knowledge, values, attitudes and skills in order to prevent conflict (in our case, structural violence) and to help advance a deeper understanding of situations that lead violence in society, as well as ways to overcome and resolve them.

As time passes so too does human advancement in all areas. Wars and subsequently ending wars (peace) have also advanced throughout time. From fighting on horseback and making peace using marriage to fighting in cyberspace and making peace using treaties, humans have also advanced in peace and conflict. Humanity keeps on finding ways to fight each other and then make peace with each other. More commonly, we have seen states fighting and making peace, but recently, there has been significant emergences of non-state actors on the battlefield which have started to pose more potent threat to peace than even states themselves. The International Network for Economic, Social & Cultural Rights defines non-state actors as “organizations and individuals that are not affiliated with, directed by, or funded through the government. These include corporations, private financial institutions, and NGOs, as well as paramilitary and armed resistance groups”. Working with such groups may bring peace faster, but some say that by involving non-state actors, we are giving them too much power and that they may come back stronger and more malicious in their treacherous efforts. ‘Force must be met with even stronger force’ is what humanity has been going by for centuries, but war still ensues. Is it time for much needed although unpredictable change?

Those who are for engaging non-state actors in peacebuilding argue that by engaging non-state actors we are facing the main issue that brought them up in the first-place head on, and that by not involving them we are making the process of peacemaking impossible, and thusly causing more damaged to other work and even relief efforts by prolonging the peacemaking process. In an article by the International Committee of the Red Cross, C. Hofmann and U. Schneckener state that non-state actors are often the expression of social problems, as they see themselves as representatives of distinct interests and may build on broad support within communities. Non-state armed actors, such as rebel groups, militias, organizations led by warlords, and criminal networks, often bear the potential to disturb, undermine, or completely truncate processes of peacebuilding and state-building, leading violence to flare up again. Additionally, international actors such as humanitarian aid workers, representatives of governments, and peacekeepers are often affected by this violence in their work. It is clear that by approaching the non-state actors, the problems that these groups fight against might be solved, and thusly, by solving the problem, peace might be made. It also shows that it is absolutely vital that the groups are involved, as by continuously fighting them, the damage caused to the people, economy and infrastructure get worse. It also makes the local communities where war is ravaging hate and rebel the people who claim to want to help, this way the war goes on longer and tensions are forever rising. It stops becoming a peacemaking effort and starts to become about retaliation and control. Recently we saw such an example when a US airstrike killed a top Iranian general, Qasem Suleimani, which resulted in Iran targeting a US base and killing Iraqi citizens instead of US soldiers. This highlights what normally goes on during these wars: innocents getting killed, tensions rising and further prolongation of deadly war.

This also defeats the purpose of relief efforts to these areas, as these groups have the ability to disrupt everything that goes on, however, they equally have the ability to let everything run smoothly, which supports that non-state actors should be involved in peacemaking.

Further evidence suggests that working with non-state actors is beneficial towards the process of peacemaking, and further supports the article by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which highlights the importance of cooperation with non-state actors not only to make peace quicker, but to also allow other organizations to deliver help to the area affected.

Such evidence can be found in the United States peace talks with the Taliban. During such peace talks, the fighting in Afghanistan became tamer and relief efforts were easier sent to the innocent civilians affected in the conflict. The benefit is clearly seen by the fact that the Taliban doesn’t rule the country any longer. Education for girls is no longer disallowed, although this came as a result of invasion, but more recently it has opened up talks that will allow US troops to be pulled out of Afghanistan, which has been an issue that conflict hasn’t solved for 18 years. The BBC reports that “the Taliban movement continues to be a fighting force in Afghanistan and a major threat to the country’s government. They continue to carry out attacks across the country, including on military bases and schools. Many people believe that future peace in Afghanistan can only come if the government negotiates with the Taliban”. Clearly, although conflict initially removed the Taliban out of power, the war is still very much at large.

The New York Times reported: “In a round of television interviews, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed an attack by the Taliban for the cancellation of talks at Camp David this weekend that the administration had expected would lead to the signing of a peace agreement. Mr. Pompeo said that the Taliban had “tried to gain negotiating advantage by conducting terror attacks inside the country”, resulting in the death of an American soldier in Kabul. “We’re going to walk away from a deal if others try to use violence to achieve better ends in a negotiation”, he said. But after abruptly scrapping a diplomatic process that appeared to be inching toward a conclusion, it was unclear where Mr. Trump would go from here”. Further analysis of the article shows the clear problems of working with non-state actors. Firstly, the blame game is always played against the two parties involved, which kills trust. Trust between the parties in peace talks is absolutely essential, as promises are made to each other that parties must believe will be honored. Secondly, the parties being enemies will always work on getting leverage over each-other. This weakness was especially detrimental in the peace talks between the US and the Taliban, as it killed the talks completely and put the hope for peace in Afghanistan further out of reach.

“We don’t negotiate with terrorists” is the most recognized comment by top government officials. Peacemakers, especially countries like the US, that are involved in almost every major conflict, have to be open towards working with non-state actors for peace to be achieved, yet it seems that humanity is not yet ready to adopt this version of diplomacy. Remorse, revenge, self-interest coupled with distrust will not allow this to work easily. Peacemaking, in these cases, has to be a two-way street and so too does trust.

Many may describe peace of mind as the state of mental and emotional calmness, with no worries, fears or stress, the mind is free of any overcoming issues and is in a positive, up lifted mindset. Achieving peace of mind may feel impossible to many due to the amount of stress and negative factors that play a role in straying the mind from peace. But achieving peace of mind can be done in many ways, therefore one individual’s peace of mind can be totally different than another person’s peace. A lot of the time, peace of mind is undermined due to the lack of drive, happiness, or the overload of stress that may distract someone, but it is important to prioritize it due to the impact it has on someone’s long term happiness and success.

A major factor that plays a role in peace of mind is stress, and stress can come in many forms, so it is important to determine what is bringing an individual stress. There are two main branches of stress and that is physical or mental stress, these can branch into other types of stress whether it is social stress, relationship stress, work stress, financial stress, and much more. Stress reducing practices are very important to achieving peace of mind and there are many ways that one can reduce stress. Accepting who you are, and the position you are in, is a great way to set a base ground to start path on reduces stress. For example, exercise has been proven to reduce stress from the human mind, although it may bring another form of physical stress it releases the main hormone of stress which is cortisol and other natural endorphins (pain killers). Fear is a feeling of anxiety and can be caused by stress, a great to resolve this fear is to expose yourself to the fear which can reduce this feeling of anxiety, overall reducing stress on the mind. Relieving stress may not be as easy as it sounds but it brings cleansing to the mind which can help. The human mind naturally wants a safe and comfortable environment so separating yourself and putting yourself in an environment with more positivity, love, happiness, and less toxicity will reduce the amount of stress on one person. Many people across the world may ask themselves, ‘How can I achieve peace of mind with the amount of stress I have?’. Every human has stress, there’s no denying it, but it is the individual’s choice to let stress inhibit their ability to achieve peace of mind. When doing practices that strays a human mind away from stress they may encounter in life, they are achieving a form of ‘peace of mind’.

Understanding the psychological/analytical perspective of the brain and mind, and the environment it is in, is also an important factor in achieving peace of mind. The brain creates numerous amounts of hormones each day to balance your stress, happiness, and many other factors that play a role in the conditions of the mind. Bringing peace to the brain creates a balance of all other functions that the brain conducts. The brain is a multitasking organ and throughout the day it is working hard, creating sensations, feeling, thought process, and everyday functions that people don’t normally realize. So, for the brain to remain functioning normally everyday it must reset. But stress a lot of the time may throw the brain off center, creating an imbalance in the mind. That is when practices to help achieve peace can be used to counteract the damage of stress, reversing what the stress has caused and allowing the mind to reset. A human must put their mind in a zone of peace in order to balance out the negative component of stress. This allows the brain to remember a time of calmness so that every time a stress inducer appears, the mind has the capability to reset to the moment of calmness, bring peace to the mind.

The path to peace of mind is different for all individuals but there are many practices that all humans can do to help because we all have brains that share the same components. Finding something you love, changing to a positive lifestyle, take part of actions that are beneficial to you in a long-term mindset. Another helpful practice that can help every human on their path to peace of mind is focusing, when are you able to focus as such a precise level you can reject all negative thoughts, temptations, fears, anxiety, because you’re in control of what you want your mind to receive or deny. “Set peace of mind as your highest goal and organize your life around it”, – Brain Tracey. Peace of mind should not be ignored, seen as less important, and should be held to a higher priority. This quote by Brain Tracey brings light to how the mind should be the base of the human life and that we should build from the mind on, not in reverse.

In our lives we encounter many different types of stress and confusion that may create questions that may never be solved, but that is a part of life. Stress is essential to life, and that is what makes us human, and some may even say that peace wouldn’t exist without stress. Understanding your mind is very important to understanding the world. This brings more peace, positivity, love, and less stress, fear, anxiety to your mind. Prioritizing your mental peace is a key factor to living in a less stressful life, and human sanity.