For over 40 years, the United Nations has marked September 21st as the International Day of Peace, a day dedicated to non-violence and universal ceasefire. This year, it is also the 25th anniversary of the UN’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which lays out an actionable roadmap for the UN to realize its original purpose: the abolition of war and the promotion of peace. Today offers all of us the opportunity to reflect and recommit ourselves to building a culture of peace, in our communities, across the country and around the world.
Tragically, at home and abroad we are seeing political division and instability grow, inequality expand, climate shocks impact the most vulnerable, and forced displacement and violence destroy lives. Despite catastrophic statistics and heartbreaking stories from Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Haiti and too many other countries, I remain hopeful the world we seek, a world free of war and the threat of war, is possible.
The Spirit of Ubuntu
This summer, I was able to connect with Quakers from all over the world at the Friends World Committee for Consultation World Plenary, which was centered around the ideas of living the spirit of ubuntu. Ubuntu is a deeply held belief of sub-Saharan African origin that ‘I am because we are’ or that all humans are interdependent. This recognition of our interdependence and equality is at the very core of building a culture of peace as it requires redressing historical and ongoing injustices and caring for creation and each other. This is the work FCNL undertakes every day.
The United States has a major influence – for better or worse – on today’s biggest challenges of violent conflict, climate change, forced displacement and inequality.
Policymakers in the Executive Branch and Congress can have a radical impact on peace at home and abroad. The United States has a major influence – for better or worse – on today’s biggest challenges of violent conflict, climate change, forced displacement and inequality. When the U.S. engages the world with approaches grounded in militarism and the use of force, we increase civilian harm and normalize violent responses to disputes. A better way is possible.
Building a culture of peace at home and abroad
When the U.S. leverages diplomacy, listens to leadership of local civil society, and invests in constructive, nonviolent efforts that bring people together in the face of growing divisions, it can address the root causes of violence. Investing in peace in turn reduces the need for expensive post-violence responses and enables communities’ pursuit of sustainable economic development, climate adaptation, good governance, and the protection of human rights – whether those communities are in Jackson, Los Angeles, and Baltimore or Sudan, Haiti, Ukraine and Israel/Palestine.
Specifically, Congress must increase its investments in peacebuilding in the FY25 budget. This includes investing at least $70 million in local violence interrupters across the United States, who work as peacebuilders in marginalized communities plagued with disinvestment, oppression, and a history of trauma. Congress must also invest at least $140 million in local peacebuilders in communities around the world, to help prevent sudden outbreaks of violence and heal fractured communities.
Beyond investing in peace, the United States must break its addiction to violence and militarism.
Beyond investing in peace, the United States must break its addiction to violence and militarism. For 23 years, Congress has spent trillions on militarized approaches to counter non-state armed groups in the so-called “Global War on Terror.” However, research shows that the use of military force has not only been costly and ineffective, but also deeply counterproductive, perpetuating cycles of violence while neglecting the root causes of conflict, exacerbating climate change and redirecting funding from critical human needs. To effectively build a culture of peace at home, and support peace globally, the United States, from institutions and policymakers to local communities and individuals, must fundamentally reject these militarized and violent approaches to conflict.
Speaking Up for Peace
While there is rising political violence in the lead up to the 2024 election, seemingly relentless gun violence in our schools, and antisemitic and Islamophobic hate speech growing, I know that a culture of peace is possible. As the former President of Ireland recently said, “the truth of the matter is that peace is the future that we are trying to create because it is the culmination and the fulfillment of human dignity.”
Every day FCNL is taking action to replace this addiction to violence and militarism with a culture of peace, nonviolence, and ubuntu. Friends have been guided by the Quaker peace and equality testimonies towards a culture of peace for centuries. At FCNL, this is exemplified in the World We Seek and our core values.
Join me in a day of nonviolence, reflection, and rededication to the work of building a culture of peace. Join me in speaking out against militarism and speaking up for peace.
