The Peace Imperative

By Linda Fisher Thornton

“Global Peace Index 2022 results show that the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated by 0.03%. Although slight, this is the eleventh deterioration in peacefulness in the last fourteen years”
Global Peace Index and Maps, Vision of Humanity

Take a look at how the countries of the world rank in terms of their Peace Index on this world map. If you’re living in the United States of America, you may be dismayed to discover that as I write this it is 129th on this list.

In an article for the Non-Violence Change Journal, I wrote about how our understand of the importance of peace “matures” as our human development advances. This process of development, though, requires that we intentionally continue to educate ourselves, and improve ourselves throughout our lives.

“In the process of human development, we reach a point when we become increasingly concerned about our impact on others and society. We begin to consider our impact more broadly and use a long-term perspective when we approach problems. We outgrow the notion that expedient violence will solve our problems. As John Lennon once remarked “I am a violent man who has learned not to be violent and regrets his violence. ⁶”
Linda Fisher Thornton, Non-Violent Change Journal, Vol. XXVIII, No. 2, Winter 2014

Peace, liked ethical thinking and ethical leadership, won’t happen by itself. It needs to be learned, practiced and carefully tended in order for us to be able to move toward a more peaceful global future.

What can you do to incorporate peace into your mindset and actions this year?