Peace is not merely the absence of war and hatred (negative peace) but also the presence of cooperation, compassion and worldwide justice (positive peace).
* What is war? It is a state of hostility between nations (or within nations) characterized by fighting and bloodshed. Wars are often caused by real/perceived injustice, hatred, poverty, and the desire for power.
* What is perhaps the best way to prevent war? Conflict prevention and Conflict resolution/transformation requires that we eliminate the nature of the hostilities and attempt to create harmony and equality between the various parties. Restorative justice implies that the perceived injustices must be resolved through either negotiation, mediation, arbitration, community conferencing, community meditation, negotiated rulemaking, collaborative/international law, or as a last resort, military action. Trauma recovery / Indentity renewal can help prevent war torn areas from falling back into further fighting. Youth development strategies can help our future adults from repeating the mistakes we have made that have lead us to war. Philosophy suggests that nations that have found peace should help less peaceful nations by sharing knowledge, food and other resources. Our conscience teaches us that we should treat others the way we want to be treated, with dignity and respect.
* How can we achieve Peace on Earth? First and utmost, we must find it within ourselves. By sharing our inner peace with others, peace will spread. By raising our children properly and teaching them to respect and love their neighbors (didn't someone say this before? :) they will learn the joy of peace. The peace process should be a predominantly preventative measure (A gram of prevention is worth a kilogram of cure). Peace should likely start as a grassroots movement, thereby creating a "trickle-up" process. Not only can we teach others about peace but we can put pressure on governments and political candidates that continue to advocate war as the main solution to civil and international conflict. Along the way, some form of world "Planning and Lawmaking" committee probably needs to be established that includes all nations. One nation's problems are problems for all of us. We must learn to see ourselves as one small planet and not be so concerned with our nationality, race or religion. When it comes right down to it we are all human. Think what we could accomplish if we all worked together to create a true world economy. We could end starvation, reduce poverty, create jobs and work towards common goals such as worldwide justice, peace education, pollution control and planet management.
* Conflict Identification and Prevention: Conflict risk assessments are based on a number of variables. A history of armed conflict is an indicator of a problem. In political cultures of conflict the risk is higher that parties will continue resorting to violence. You can look at governance and political instability; the lack of an accountable political institution through which to channel grievances can aggravate the risk of violent outbursts. Transitional states are at higher risk of violent change, until they become fully consolidated democracies. You can look at the denial of civil and political liberties, the level of democracy, and restriction on civil and political rights. All of those will eventually lead to violent expression if there are no peaceful alternatives for resolving disputes. The history and degree of militarization in a country or population heterogeneity identify tensions which may be greater in ethnically or religiously heterogeneous populations. The distribution of resources along ethnic or identity lines, demographic stresses, and so on, are often precursors of violence. Other indicators include economic decline, numerous unemployed young men with no opportunities for the future, high debt burdens, low involvement in international trade. All these factors are associated with a higher risk of state failure. You look at the human development indicators. The countries in the bottom half of the human development index are much more likely to experience violent conflict. Now that's a chicken and the egg problem. Are they in the lowest development indicator positions because they have been prone to violent conflict or are they in conflict because they are extremely poor and have no other options to resolve their issues? It's hard to build democracy on an empty stomach. Also examine environmental stress. The degradation and depletion of resources can generate tensions in communities. You look at international linkages: Are there other countries that make incursions across the border? Many indicators are factored in to determine whether a country is at high risk.
We must learn to accept the fact that others will not always respond to our needs and wants in the way that we want them to. Instead of getting upset with them we need to learn to bless them and wish them well, which is exactly what we hope for ourselves. What we show outside is merely a reflection of what we are inside. Negative thoughts promote negative outcomes. Positive, loving thoughts promote positive outcomes! Think of it as an energy force that powers our well-being. Positive thoughts promote positive well-being! So simple it almosts alludes us. (:
We need to learn from our mistakes. Instead of degrading ourselves we must realize that failure and success go hand in hand. Failure is neccesary because it provides obvious lessons to learn from. Analysis of these lessons should improve the chances for future prosperity.
Remember that some of the most hollow periods of our lives can happen right after we reach important goals if we haven't already established higher ones. Maybe some of the goals you set should focus on personal enlightenment? Success, like material possessions, only makes one happy for a while. We need to have continuous successes and set-backs for life to stay stimulating. There is a law of diminishing returns that states that the more you attain of something the less you enjoy the excessive amounts. We all have needs and wants but let's not get carried away. If you have too much, be it time, money or love, start sharing it with others that can benefit. If you think that seeing a smile or a tear on a thankful face isn't one of the best rewards in life then you haven't truly experienced this feeling recently.
Values are important because without positive moral values, others may resent your actions and may not radiate positive energy in your direction. Remember that when you try to point to something that makes you happy there are three or more fingers pointing back at you. We all need a minimum level of material possessions but without the personal wealth that comes from within, external wealth is nearly meaningless.
We need songs about World Peace. Listening to music is a right-brain activity and we need both the left and right sides of our brain to be thinking about peace in order to integrate it into our soul. Music artists can improve our lives through the energy they put into their music.
We need films about World Peace. For our visual senses, we need to see less violence and more themes that promote heros over injustice and mediocrity. We need films that reward strong moral values and have messages that show us ways of achieving peace and success in life.
Corporations must join the effort and create work environments that address todays changing workforce. With the advent of the internet and home computers, some jobs could be performed at home allowing for flexible work hours, reduced traffic, improved working conditions and improved productivity. Companies can also start their own non-profit peace organizations that focus on issues in their communities and staff the organization with employee volunteers.
We need a World Flag we can proudly wave that will signify that we are growing up as a united world of peace-loving souls. This flag ought to be designed by the children of the world since they are the ones that will benefit most from peace conditioning. We have the futuristic vision of one race (human), on one planet (earth), with two main purposes, Peace and Enlightenment.
* What is war? It is a state of hostility between nations (or within nations) characterized by fighting and bloodshed. Wars are often caused by real/perceived injustice, hatred, poverty, and the desire for power.
* What is perhaps the best way to prevent war? Conflict prevention and Conflict resolution/transformation requires that we eliminate the nature of the hostilities and attempt to create harmony and equality between the various parties. Restorative justice implies that the perceived injustices must be resolved through either negotiation, mediation, arbitration, community conferencing, community meditation, negotiated rulemaking, collaborative/international law, or as a last resort, military action. Trauma recovery / Indentity renewal can help prevent war torn areas from falling back into further fighting. Youth development strategies can help our future adults from repeating the mistakes we have made that have lead us to war. Philosophy suggests that nations that have found peace should help less peaceful nations by sharing knowledge, food and other resources. Our conscience teaches us that we should treat others the way we want to be treated, with dignity and respect.
* How can we achieve Peace on Earth? First and utmost, we must find it within ourselves. By sharing our inner peace with others, peace will spread. By raising our children properly and teaching them to respect and love their neighbors (didn't someone say this before? :) they will learn the joy of peace. The peace process should be a predominantly preventative measure (A gram of prevention is worth a kilogram of cure). Peace should likely start as a grassroots movement, thereby creating a "trickle-up" process. Not only can we teach others about peace but we can put pressure on governments and political candidates that continue to advocate war as the main solution to civil and international conflict. Along the way, some form of world "Planning and Lawmaking" committee probably needs to be established that includes all nations. One nation's problems are problems for all of us. We must learn to see ourselves as one small planet and not be so concerned with our nationality, race or religion. When it comes right down to it we are all human. Think what we could accomplish if we all worked together to create a true world economy. We could end starvation, reduce poverty, create jobs and work towards common goals such as worldwide justice, peace education, pollution control and planet management.
* Conflict Identification and Prevention: Conflict risk assessments are based on a number of variables. A history of armed conflict is an indicator of a problem. In political cultures of conflict the risk is higher that parties will continue resorting to violence. You can look at governance and political instability; the lack of an accountable political institution through which to channel grievances can aggravate the risk of violent outbursts. Transitional states are at higher risk of violent change, until they become fully consolidated democracies. You can look at the denial of civil and political liberties, the level of democracy, and restriction on civil and political rights. All of those will eventually lead to violent expression if there are no peaceful alternatives for resolving disputes. The history and degree of militarization in a country or population heterogeneity identify tensions which may be greater in ethnically or religiously heterogeneous populations. The distribution of resources along ethnic or identity lines, demographic stresses, and so on, are often precursors of violence. Other indicators include economic decline, numerous unemployed young men with no opportunities for the future, high debt burdens, low involvement in international trade. All these factors are associated with a higher risk of state failure. You look at the human development indicators. The countries in the bottom half of the human development index are much more likely to experience violent conflict. Now that's a chicken and the egg problem. Are they in the lowest development indicator positions because they have been prone to violent conflict or are they in conflict because they are extremely poor and have no other options to resolve their issues? It's hard to build democracy on an empty stomach. Also examine environmental stress. The degradation and depletion of resources can generate tensions in communities. You look at international linkages: Are there other countries that make incursions across the border? Many indicators are factored in to determine whether a country is at high risk.
We must learn to accept the fact that others will not always respond to our needs and wants in the way that we want them to. Instead of getting upset with them we need to learn to bless them and wish them well, which is exactly what we hope for ourselves. What we show outside is merely a reflection of what we are inside. Negative thoughts promote negative outcomes. Positive, loving thoughts promote positive outcomes! Think of it as an energy force that powers our well-being. Positive thoughts promote positive well-being! So simple it almosts alludes us. (:
We need to learn from our mistakes. Instead of degrading ourselves we must realize that failure and success go hand in hand. Failure is neccesary because it provides obvious lessons to learn from. Analysis of these lessons should improve the chances for future prosperity.
Remember that some of the most hollow periods of our lives can happen right after we reach important goals if we haven't already established higher ones. Maybe some of the goals you set should focus on personal enlightenment? Success, like material possessions, only makes one happy for a while. We need to have continuous successes and set-backs for life to stay stimulating. There is a law of diminishing returns that states that the more you attain of something the less you enjoy the excessive amounts. We all have needs and wants but let's not get carried away. If you have too much, be it time, money or love, start sharing it with others that can benefit. If you think that seeing a smile or a tear on a thankful face isn't one of the best rewards in life then you haven't truly experienced this feeling recently.
Values are important because without positive moral values, others may resent your actions and may not radiate positive energy in your direction. Remember that when you try to point to something that makes you happy there are three or more fingers pointing back at you. We all need a minimum level of material possessions but without the personal wealth that comes from within, external wealth is nearly meaningless.
We need songs about World Peace. Listening to music is a right-brain activity and we need both the left and right sides of our brain to be thinking about peace in order to integrate it into our soul. Music artists can improve our lives through the energy they put into their music.
We need films about World Peace. For our visual senses, we need to see less violence and more themes that promote heros over injustice and mediocrity. We need films that reward strong moral values and have messages that show us ways of achieving peace and success in life.
Corporations must join the effort and create work environments that address todays changing workforce. With the advent of the internet and home computers, some jobs could be performed at home allowing for flexible work hours, reduced traffic, improved working conditions and improved productivity. Companies can also start their own non-profit peace organizations that focus on issues in their communities and staff the organization with employee volunteers.
We need a World Flag we can proudly wave that will signify that we are growing up as a united world of peace-loving souls. This flag ought to be designed by the children of the world since they are the ones that will benefit most from peace conditioning. We have the futuristic vision of one race (human), on one planet (earth), with two main purposes, Peace and Enlightenment.
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