PEACE-MAKER
As we celebrate Easter today, let us reflect on its timeless message of hope, renewal, and above all, peace.
In a world marked by wars, conflicts, unrest, and division, the message of Easter holds profound significance, serving as a beacon guiding us towards fostering understanding, healing wounds, and forging cooperation among nations.
Wars have been on the rise since 2011: The uprisings in Libya, Syria, and Yemen; the military hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh; the dreadful fighting in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region; the atrocious battle between Russia and Ukraine; the bloody gang violence in Haiti; the devastation in Sudan and Gaza. The list goes on.
In addition are the increasing tensions and flashpoints of conflict in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, East China Sea, Taiwan Straits, Korean Peninsula, among others.
The prevalence of wars and conflicts around the world underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to promote peace, stability, and conflict resolution.
In the Asian region and in the world, we need to develop pragmatic and creative methods that will try to rebuild relations and advance the cause of peace, without allowing our differences to get in the way.
While there exist several mechanisms to promote peace and resolve conflicts, we believe there is a need to contribute and augment those ongoing efforts.
Our world is interconnected and rapidly evolving, thus the need for international organizations, which serve as platforms for nations to work together in addressing global issues and challenges.
International organizations offer a neutral ground where countries, regardless of size or power, can engage in meaningful discussions to find common ground and pursue common objectives. Whether its promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and tackling poverty, climate change, pandemic, terrorism, or narcotics trade, these forums can facilitate mutual understanding and cooperation.
However, the pursuit of peace and reconciliation demands not only the concerted efforts of governments and international institutions but also the active engagement of civil society, religious leaders, and political parties. It requires empathy, dialogue, and a willingness to acknowledge past injustices while striving for a future built on reconciliation, tolerance, and respect for diversity.
May this Easter Sunday inspire us to sow the seeds of peace, knowing that in our efforts lies the promise of a brighter, more harmonious future for all humanity.