To achieve world peace, we need individuals that are committed to the values of peace and friendship. Benevolence and universalism, which pertain to concern for other people and society. Each one of us counts.

Each one of us must have a belief in the possibility of peace. We all have to believe in our personal power and efficacy to work toward a peaceful world.

We must be motivated to proceed whether individually or collectively towards contributing to a peaceful world.

The hindrance to peace is the individual and collective feeling that it is impossible to achieve it. We must all visualise a world at peace.

The world conflicts that lead to violence are primarily in the way individuals think and act. For instance, Bismarck was not interested in the balance of power. He aimed to unite most of the German states under the leadership of Prussia, if necessary by war. This partly led to the outbreak of the World War I.

Social organiser Saul Alinsky coined a valuable phrase for would-be activists; “Think globally, act locally.”

At local level, what are you doing to attain and preserve world peace?

How is our thinking contributing to violent conflicts locally and globally?

Get involved, get trained or join organisations at a national or global level aimed at restoring and preserving world peace. This calls for commitment towards personal transformation in the way we think and perceive things.

We have a good number of examples of individuals who acted alone to contribute to a peaceful world; Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr etc.

Don’t consider your effort as insignificant, “It is within our power to begin the world anew” Thomas Paine.

Each one of us has a duty to contribute to world peace.

May I end by quoting the Bible, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18