2007 SECOND PLACE

PRESCRIPTION FOR PEACE
Gabrielle Alleva
15 years old, Connecticut

Peace is not merely the absence of war. Peace is a loving trust that is deeper than what most of the world has yet experienced. Who do you trust with your life? Many people will name a few close friends and family members. When Universal Peace is obtained, this will be extended to the whole earth. We do not feel that we can trust the world now because every time we turn on the news, we hear about suicide bombing, murder, and genocide. The reasons for each isolated event have their own deep and complex history behind them; books have been written about them. The answer for what needs to be done is simpler and purer. The only way everlasting world peace will be obtained is when humanity learns to see itself for what it truly is: One Family. To achieve peace, resources need to be distributed equally, communication needs to become clear, education is needed for all, and empathy for others needs to grow.

In a family, everyone in the household receives food, shelter, and protection. We have the ability as a planet to do the same. If all the food in the world were distributed equally, world hunger would end. Yet somewhere in the world, one child dies every five seconds from starvation. It is the responsibility of the United States to provide resources to the developing countries. We must remember that the nations that are rich and powerful are no better or worse than impoverished and developing countries. They are only luckier.

In a family, conflicts occur when the members do not communicate or understand one another. Many cultures are discriminated against because their language, customs and culture are misunderstood in other parts of the world. Humanity desperately needs a Universal Language. Then people will only need to learn two languages - their own native tongue and this auxiliary universal language. Having language in common will help to bridge cultural differences.

A family cannot survive if it is not educated. There needs to be Universal Education for all peoples of the world. Men and women are as two wings of one bird. The bird needs both wings to fly. While women are being deprived of the education they need, humanity is still wounded. Until mankind can see everyone as equal, World Peace will not be obtained.

Most of all, a family needs love and empathy for all its members. As 'Abdu'l-Baha said: "The time has come when every human being on Earth must learn to accept responsibility for the welfare of the entire human family". This can be gained only through willingness and experience--a willingness to learn about different cultures and to see the world through the eyes of others. If humanity collectively applies this healing prescription to an ailing world--economic justice, a universal language, universal education and a loving willingness to accept others as one's family--peace is not just possible, it is inevitable.