True Peace
The resumption of the 11th Emergency Special Session in its 17th plenary on the Ukraine and Russia war begs a question on peace. Can we really achieve universal and true peace? In a world where there are unicorns and flying horses, definitely; in our lifetime and our world, I highly doubt it but let’s believe in our concerns.
As Samoans, we are taught that family and culture is the first learning center of our lives and remain so as you travel through life. Sadly, the incursions of modern technology and western influences has infiltrated this sacred institution. All around the world, we see skyrocketing domestic violence, violence against women and girls normalized as a form of keeping “order”. Children being abused in the disguise of corporal punishment and so forth.
Social media platforms and news agency play an important role in keeping us connected and keeping us informed of what is happening in the world. However, there is so much harm that these platforms have effected in recent times. People have used such platforms to spread false news about issues ignite fear and hatred in the hearts of many. People creating fake pages to attack and decimate the characters of others and discredit national, regional and international organizations working towards achieving peace. Although censorship and laws are put in place to stop this, more challenges.
Peace in Sovereign Nations are being challenged. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the existential threat the people of the Pacific and those in Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) face due to Climate Change. Peace of Sovereign Nations are further challenged by the incursions of OCA to an extent as there is no free lunch. In addition, Peace in Sovereign Nations challenged due to desires and wants of other countries waging war, as we see in Ukraine. The long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine, war-torn Yemen, the issue with MINUSMA and much more conflict prone countries and regions. Again, efforts are being made to address this, but its effectiveness is still a question.
I can go on and list the many things as above, I am certain that as you read this you have also been thinking of situations you know from your own experiences. While efforts are being made to eradicate or mitigate or stop or end the destabilization of peace, I believe the real common thread here is the “human”, you and I; we are the true problem.
Our selfish and survival instinct as human beings bonded with the fear of how we will be seen by others blinds us from realizing the true source of the peace destabilization which is the “human”. If a true effort needs to be made, it should be changing the individual (me) first before we try to change the next person.
Like the King of Pop Michael Jackson sang, “I’m gonna make a change, For once in my life, It’s gonna feel real good, Gonna make a difference, Gonna make it right, I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways, And no message could’ve been any clearer, If they wanna make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and then make a change”
We should allow ourselves to learn from our mistakes and start changing ourselves to achieve bold change and true universal peace in this fine world we live in!
Let’s look in the mirror and start there!
