2007 THIRD PLACE

THE LAST HOPE FOR PEACE
Bella Moshkovich
17 years old, New York

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing
would suffice to solve most of the world's problems." - Mahatma Gandhi

The world is growing apart. A sense of global unity is gone, and one might even debate on the possibility of it ever even existing. Leaders and the people they lead isolate themselves and identify with some identity, be it national, political, religious, or any other category. Now the question is how can we be successful as a global community and not endure unnecessary conflicts if we are all separated and on the verge of intolerance of our fellow peoples?

Its no joke when people say that our end will come from self destruction. As a global community we have a tremendous issue of intolerance. This not only relates to problems like prejudice or racism, but it is the instigator for conflict in general. As Edmund Burke said "all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

At the beginning of the twentieth century there lived a Russian poet named Maxmillian Valoshen. During the Russian civil war, he would help as may dying and wounded as he could, regardless of their association with the Red or White army. He did not see them for their political party, religion, social status, background, but as fellow human beings. When you listen to the news and feel a sense of joy or pride when your country killed some part of your enemy, this is wrong. This attitude will only get us deeper into the pit of global conflict. When you isolate your feelings of hatred and intolerance, does it really matter if you are a Jew or a Muslim? An Israeli or Lebanese? Above all, we are human beings and that doesn't make us any different from one another.

In order to prevent global conflicts we (as a global entity) must have a more humanitarian outlook rather than a nationalistic one. But unfortunately global leaders (and the people they lead) tend to not associate with a global identity. It has become either France, either Romania, either the U.S. and sub-categories within them (white, black, Christian, gay, etc.) If we do not change our outlook, with time we will grow only further apart, develop only more negative emotions towards one another. These emotions will lead to conflict, conflict leads to war, and war to disaster. By eliminating our human tendencies to judge, be intolerant of others, and promote general ignorance of this sort, global crises such as the Darfur conflict or terrorism could altogether be reduced and perhaps even avoided.

Yet to allow peace to manifest, world leaders should promote a sense of "global consciousness" by accelerating a more humanitarian outlook onto their country and people. Emphasizing and implementing education that develops a person as a "human being", is equally important, for it reduces ignorance. And communication should be used much more intensively as well.

Therefore, all global leaders should implement a more humanitarian outlook and unite not only their country, but countries unite the world through education, communication, and most importantly tolerance and love for humankind. Reducing global conflict is possible, but only possible through global communication. It's our last hope for peace.