World Peace Day: Know these 5 amazing souls who are trying to bring stability to the world
Highlights:
- Gene Sharp
- Mairead Maguire
- Scroll for more…
World Day of Peace is celebrated on 21st September every year to strengthen the principles of peace and non-violence. Also known as International Peace Day, the day is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday. In the race to come on top in all sectors like the technological, scientific, space exploration, better lifestyle, and for expansionism, religionism, the world sees wars, violence, conflict, and ceasefire more than often. Still, many people are endorsing peace worldwide and have been very successful at it.
Here are 5 public figures worldwide promoting peace in the current times.
1. Gene Sharp
We are greatly saddened to announce the death of Dr. Gene Sharp. He passed away peacefully at home in East Boston on January 28th, a week after celebrating his 90th birthday. pic.twitter.com/DnRqcaXSyS
— Gene Sharp (@GeneSharpaei) January 30, 2018
Gene Sharp was the founder of the Albert Einstein Institute, which works to advance the study of nonviolent action. He was a retired political science professor nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 4 times. Also known as Machiavelli of Nonviolence, Gene Sharp’s work built on the idea that the subjects of authoritarian states are the source of their power. If issues decline to obey their leaders, they can reduce the state’s power and, in due course, cause it to collapse.
Gene’s ideas are admired for being influential in real-world situations. His book, From Dictatorship to Democracy, has been translated into 31 languages and is used to inspire various global non-violent movements. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia governments used his writing during their separation from the Soviet Union.
2. Mairead Maguire
“Give the man his truly earned freedom”.
Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Prize winner, accepts the Daphne Galizia award in the European Parliament on behalf of imprisoned Julian Assange. The award is for Journalists, Whistleblowers and Defenders of the Right to Information. pic.twitter.com/xPBMU7cwNA— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) April 16, 2019
Mairead Maguire, a peace activist from Northern Ireland, co-founded the Community for Peace People. Her organization encouraged a peaceful resolution to the troubles in Northern Ireland. She was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for her work. Mairead Maguire started her peace activist career when her sister’s three children were run over and killed by a car driven by a Provisional Irish Republican Army fugitive in Northern Ireland.
She and Betty Williams organized a mass movement of 35,000 protesters during the month after the deaths. The protesters asked for peace between the loyalist and republican factions, and thus the Community for Peace People was created. The organization combats violence through re-education. Maguire continues to advocate for an array of political and social rights around the world.
3. Tegla Loroupe
My hero Tegla Loroupe and I at #2017kampala Uganda, 17 years after the first time I met her and got my first ever pair of shoes from her. Here is that storyhttps://t.co/NOedb4D2AU pic.twitter.com/BKgoYgdsIp
— Aliphine Tuliamuk (@mamaZoeCherotch) April 4, 2020
Tegla Loroupe is a Kenya marathon runner and peace activist. She is also a global spokesperson for peace, education, and women’s rights. She is widely praised for her work in promoting peace amongst African tribes. Loroupe created an annual series of Peace Marathons in 2003, sponsored by the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation. At the age of 47, she is the youngest to feature on our list.
4. Arun Gandhi
Arun Gandhi, the fifth grandson of Mohandas Gandhi, grew up in South Africa under Apartheid laws. He was assaulted by black South Africans for being “too white” and white South Africans for being “too black.” Initially, he fought against the beatings with an “eye for an eye” mentality but later learnt from the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, his grandfather. He understood that justice does not equate to revenge but rather transforming the opponent with understanding, and love is a better option.
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Arun Gandhi said that the biggest lesson he learned from his grandfather was understanding violence. He shares lessons worldwide by speaking at various college campuses, world summits and the United Nations. He was also a journalist in India for 30 years, and along with his wife, he developed constructive programs to uplift economically and socially the oppressed. His efforts have changed the lives of half a million in more than 300 villages. Arun Gandhi is continuing his grandfather’s legacy, who also believed in constructive programs.
5. Jody Williams
Jody Williams is a US-based political activist awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for her work in banning anti-personnel landmines. She is also an advocate of human rights, especially women’s rights. Williams founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), which she started from scratch with a network of 1300 NGOs in 90 countries, working with UN bodies, foreign governments, and the Red Cross.
It was her work which inspired an international treaty on banning antipersonnel landmines in 1997. The treaty prohibits the production, use, stockpiling and transfer of landmines. The treaty also enforces obligations on countries to assist victims, clear affected areas, and destroy stockpiles. The treaty has bettered the lives of thousands of people whose quality of life has been impacted or are at risk of being affected by landmines.
On World Peace Day, let us make this world a better place to live.
