STRATEGY FOR PEACE WORKERS

Pritam K. Rohila, Ph.D.

Relative calm has prevailed along international borders in 2007. But within nations things did not go well this year.

Forces of extremism, hate, and violence seem to have gained strength in many parts of the world. Communal strife, alienation of minorities, forced dislocation of people, human right violations, disregard for international conventions, and the rule of law, and in some cases even political assassinations, have characterized developments in many parts of the world.

But supporters of secularism, peace, harmony, and civil society seem demoralized and disorganized.

It appears that as activists, we need to change our strategy. Perhaps we should focus more of our efforts closer to where we live and work than at faraway places.

We could start by cleansing our minds of our prejudices. We should learn to respect and love individuals in our homes and extended families regardless of their age or gender. We should teach our children to value the rights of others, and to resolve their disagreements by negotiation and compromise instead of threats of force or violence.

After creating small oases of peace and harmony around us, we can extend our efforts to the larger communities around us. Gradually, by example and persuasion, we can thus help transform our neighborhoods, villages and towns into communities of amity, reconciliation and concord.

To accomplish this we will need to learn to view and treat others with a vision that unites rather than divides people of all caste, tribal, sectarian, religious, language and regional identities.