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6 things wrong with war
6 things right with peace
6 Alternatives to war and armed conflict
10 ways to say NO to war and YES to peace
6 things right with peace
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Peace makes alternatives possible.
In the midst of war, it is hard for people to imagine that there are alternatives. But peace provides the space for people to dream, develop, test, and practice other ways of dealing with human conflict. Currently, global military spending is $1.12 trillion. Imagine what might happen if nations invested even a fraction of this into dreaming and pursuing alternatives to war.
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Peace makes resolving problems possible.
Most armed conflicts begin because people feel that they have been wronged or dealt an injustice. But conflicts can only be truly resolved as people talk to one another and deal with the root causes of the problem.
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Peace makes justice possible.
Some people resort to armed struggle to pursue justice and equality. But armed struggle and warfare result in further injustice. They create additional victims. They give power to those with weapons. They usually disregard the perspectives of children, women and the very vulnerable. Addressing injustice is very important, but there are numerous nonviolent alternatives.
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Peace promotes respect for human rights.
International agreements like the Geneva Accords are supposed to prevent things like torture, abuse, rape and sexual violation in wartime. But these human rights violations continue to happen. The problem is war itself. Human rights can only thrive in a context of peace. A growing movement says that peace itself is a human right.
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Peace promotes human development.
When nations are not using significant resources toward war-making (or even preparing for war), they have more available to promote education, health care, social supports, economic development, and community building. Children have much greater opportunity to experience childhood, to go to school, to learn and grow as they should. People live with less fear and insecurity; they are able to contribute to their communities in better ways.
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Peace makes it possible for enemies to become friends.
During warfare, armed groups have an interest in keeping civilian populations separate from and suspicious of one another. When people don't know anyone from "the other side", they are much more likely to believe the stereotypes and propaganda that they are fed. When peace prevails, it is possible for people on the opposite sides of conflicts to meet each other, talk with each other, and find common bonds. Peace enables them to become friends. Friendship in turn builds more peace.
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For more information, check out these resources, commissioned by MCC
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