Awareness arena 2

Peace is the most talked about agenda in the world today. People rather prepare for the cure and reconstruction measures after conflicts, rather than the preventive measures to conflict. The world would have been much safer and beautiful if we would let go our ego, exercise tolerance, listen more, embark on retreats and meditation, above all, silence our weapons.  

         However, in the world today much is expected from youths in the society. They hold majority of the population of almost all countries in the world, as such, we (youths) are expected to preach peace, shape peace, and practice peace.  

Should there be a better time to preach peace when we live in times where peace is almost impossible to talk about, injustice prevails, no freedom of speech, uneven distribution of wealth, where racism and discrimination is at it's peak? Yes! It is possible for the world to be much more better than it is today. It might be a gradual process of materialization but certainly it will happen only if the following are taken into consideration;

1. STAMPING OUT EXCLUSION.

Evidence shows that conflict happens in places where people can't trust the police or get access to justice, and their prospects for a decent life are stolen by corrupt elites. Governments everywhere need to stop the neglect, abuse and stigmatization of their own people. Media and others that promote ‘them-and-us’ thinking must be challenged to stop spreading hate.

2. BRING OUT THE EQUALLY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN.

The larger a country’s gender gap, the more likely it is to be involved in violent conflict, according to research in Valerie Hudson’s Sex and World Peace (2012).  In contrast, studies have shown that when women participate in peace processes, peace is more likely to endure.  

4. EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH.

Statistics from the World Bank Survey show that over 40 percent of those who join rebel groups do so because of lack of economic opportunities of which 60 percent of them (rebels) graduate from university with degrees in engineering but end up getting frustrated with the system (their governments) because they lack jobs, and thus stacked with poverty. Hence, the  systematic transfer of wealth from rich to poor-instead of the other way round, improves security for everyone. 

4. TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE. 

Ecological stress from global warming has proven to be a major cause of conflict. Scarcity of natural resources such as land, water mineral resources and wildlife have championed conflicts in recent time, East Africa is best evident. However the UN agreement is evidence that the world can tackle and mitigate climate change by co-operation instead of war. A functioning climate deal "is the greatest peace deal the world could have", according to Dan Smith.  

5. CONTROL ARMS RACE.

The world today faces stiff competition in arms production and proliferation which increases the likelihood of a conflict.  Little or no laws are put against the manufacturing and posesion of fire arms, as such it raises tensions among nations and individuals. More restrictions should be placed against posesion and production of nuclear weapons and fire arms if the world should be safe.

6.  PROTECT TERRITORY 

If governments want marginalized people to embrace peace and follow her policy rather than pursuing violence and vengeful adventures, then she (government) should grant public dissent. Government territory must be defended from terrorism, segregation and even abuse of power.  

7. INVOLVE YOUTHS IN POLICY MAKING. 

Yes! Youths are to be involved in the policy making of a country. Taking into consideration the youths make up majority of the country's population and by hierachy, successors of political leadership, they must be included in policy making as well as politics. Laws should not be made for the youths without the youths. 

8. FIX RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUTHS AND AGED MEN.

Much conflicts in countries today are said to be youth revolts which see youths rioting and protesting against corrupt regimes, and these riots are mostly run by old men. Thus youths use this opportunity to voice out their frustrations from against failed regimes and (youths) are often referred to as ticking time bombs. 

9. YOU.

Peace starts with you. Ordinary citizens can make a difference. When was the last time you said sorry, thank you, have you eaten? Make an effort to care about what happens with your immediate neighbour. Start a constructive discussion with someone you disagree with. Everyone can choose to make his or her society peaceful or warlike.