Look around you. Look outside the window. Do you see your building’s compound and the laughing children within it? They seem carefree, without having to worry about their next meal or where they will sleep.
Now, switch on your TV for the international news. Do you see the children in war-torn countries? Some of them are wounded, maimed, homeless and most of the time orphaned. Have you ever wondered why there is so much a difference between you and these kids?
The answer is quite simple; it is usually right before our eyes, but we don’t see it. It is peace. Political leaders choose war over peaceful negotiations, and the effects are seen on the innocents.
You have read or heard about the World Wars, the Indio-Pak wars and the most recent Iraq war. The violence has been intolerable. So what can you do to stop them and prevent more wars from happening?
A lot! Don’t underestimate yourself. If you think “I’m just a kid, no one will listen to me”, you’re wrong. As children, you have the strongest voice in the world. All political, economical and environmental decisions are being taken keeping the future (you) in mind, so you definitely have a say in how your world should be.
How do you go about it
Start by adopting peace for yourself and your surroundings. There are a million ways to do this, and it’s up to you to innovate. Think about how you can create peace and avoid conflict in your home, school, neighbourhood and locality.
In fact, the organisation Bharat Soka Gakkai has been promoting the concept of peace by children for years now. They recently organised an exhibition in Bangalore, where they invited students from different schools to learn what they can do for peace and even suggest new ways to foster peace in India and the world.
Rashmi, Suhas and Vicki decided that they will not discriminate between any one, irrespective of caste, colour, or gender. “Why can’t we consider the whole world as a country?” asked Shivaprasad.
Bharat Soka Gakkai stresses that children can do all this and more. “Start a movement,” they say.
The United Nations can help you with that. UNESCO, in 2000, launched a manifesto that declared that anyone who signs it will promote peace by:
respecting the life and dignity of every person without discrimination or prejudice.
# practising active non-violence, rejecting violence in all its forms.
# sharing my time and material resources in a spirit of generosity with anyone who needs it.
# defending freedom of expression and cultural diversity — always listening and negotiating rather than passing judgement on anyone.
# promoting practices that respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of nature on the planet.
# contributing to the development of my community, with full respect for democratic principles.
A group of Nobel Laureates from around the world have already signed this manifesto, as have children and adults from various countries. It’s a simple thing to do. Visit www3.unesco.org/ manifesto2000/ and click on the link at the bottom of the page to sign it.
Include these principles in your everyday activities. Not only do they make you a better person, they make you and everyone around you happier. In happiness lies peace!
