Collaborative governance for a peaceful existence
THE GLOBAL Peace Index by the Institute for Economics and Peace is a comprehensive analysis of the state of peace within a nation. It is a peace indicator for the world and out of the 163 countries listed South Africa is ranked as one of the most dangerous countries to live in today.
The rainbow nation was listed as the 123rd most peaceful country, showing a small improvement since its placement on the index last year, which was the 126th place.
According to Vision of Humanity, which is a guide to global peace and development, the key influencers that contributed to the states’ decline of peace are the homicide rate, level of crime in society and the intensity of organised internal conflict.
What can the youth do to increase the levels of peace within society?
They can do this through the culture of peace enshrined in the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which could serve as a foundation for a safe and peaceful world.
It was drafted by the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) International Law Peace Committee.
As one of the key initiatives that the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) is advocating, this declaration has 10 articles which advocate peace-building through the peaceful settlement of disputes, respect of international law in conflict prevention, and spreading a culture of peace.
Since there is a global need for peace, as the youth we must protect our planet, protect our country, protect the people and protect ourselves through realising that the task of creating world peace is the responsibility of our generation.
Through devoting time and effort to achieving this goal altogether, the 805 affiliates of IPYG, who come from 110 countries which include South Africa, serve as a worldwide network of diverse youths focusing on voluntary peace movements for the younger generations, through advocacy platforms such as the Legislate Peace Campaign.
This global peace advocacy movement is a representation of the voice of the global citizens yearning for peace, calling on states to protect their rights to enjoy peaceful lives.
Ever since its launch, the Legislate Peace Campaign, in collaboration with international and local communities around the world, has received over 700 000 signatures of support for the DPCW.
Thousands of citizens from across the world are advocating peace through such activities as peace marathons, signature campaigns, launching peace sports clubs, peace walks and peace dialogues.
Many participate because they realise that when wars break out, ordinary citizens, especially the youth and young adults, are forced out to fight on the battlefields and mothers must send their children into danger.
In most instances neither the youth nor their mothers would willingly suffer such loss and sacrifice.
Within the city of Cape Town there have been various youth programmes that have been created to promote the need for peace within society.
Some of these programmes include joint events with youth groups such as Africa Unite and Junior Chamber International South Africa.
IPYG’s goal is to instil in the youth a sense of responsibility for community safety. What has become more apparent to the citizens of South Africa is that the work of peace is not given to a single individual or company, but rather to everyone around the globe.
All youth have been urged to participate in advocating for the new peace declaration through encouraging local governments to write letters of support for the DPCW.