Peace: the Practice of Intercultural Respect, Reconciliation and Solidarity

The study of peace can often be complex and multifaceted due to its multidimensional outlook on certain cultural, political and environmental influences. As the United States entered the spring of 2017 it saw itself becoming more polarized and conflicted. The election of Donald J. Trump has provoked many emotions for Americans but whether good or bad, republican, or democrat, it has most noticeably been a year of difficulty. Unity is an aspect that people from both sides of the isle have been questioning and trying to address. In Trump’s first extended statement as president-elect, he used unity as a deliberate theme, stating:

According to the Collins dictionary peace is “If countries or groups involved in a war or violent conflict are discussing peace, they are talking to each other in order to try to end

War is Peace – If there was no war the citizens would not have peace, war is used as a way to control and regulate peace.

Communicators who succeed in a diverse workplace must educate themselves about different cultures and co-cultures. Treating people from different cultural backgrounds with respect is essential. Finally, being willing to acknowledge and discuss cultural differences can help communicators understand and appreciate one another. The impact of culture and listening is very important in everyday life. Think about how many times you have had problems understanding someone from a different culture or even a different sub-culture. Now think about how many times someone from a different cultural background may have had problems understanding you. I know realize once that e-mail was

Conflict Resolution is an essential element of life but a task filled with so many diverse issues that not many can engage it without feeling a bit unprepared.  Through the grace of God we have been given a wonderful ministry of reconciliation and direct commands to live at peace with others. The core outcome of this project is to allow you to practice the principles of conflict resolution laid forth in the Peacemaker text.

It seems quite safe to assume that all human beings desire peace. What is not always very clear is what each person means by peace and how it can be attained and maintained. Religion and peace in an African culture have been almost natural companions in the minds of humans in different periods of history and in different cultures of the world. This is because, although far too many adherents and leaders of the different religions in the world have disrupted the peace in the society by promoting violence and wars, the vast majority of believers still hold that true religion is a source and guarantor of individual and societal peace. The positive side of holding peace together is the knowledge and values

nations, peace means respect for the rights of others”. The only reason that people, here in America

building peace is a process which begins from within, and that it is our responsibility to

To achieve peace, one must learn to let go. Let go of self-hate, let go of those hating on

As peace offers stability in a nation, it’s significance would be huge as it would be the basis of many decision in many of the nation's choices. And it would be taken in for consideration in everything the nation does.

This peace, however, is not always guaranteed. Societies have managed to fall under the foolishness of their hierarchy due to mistakes or abuse of their power. Additionally, if peace is obtained the only problem is that it’s always temporary. This problem related to peace is the foundation for the great struggle within societies.

What is peace? To me peace is non violence, The act of not killing and solving issues formally in person or on paper. Peace cannot be implemented if we are killing other people and countries and letting our neighbors and love ones die. If we can prevent people dying then what is stopping us? Negative peace is when violence ends. While positive peace is where it ends but brings either a change for the better or is positively impacted.

Peace can be defined as a period of harmony between different social groups that is distinguished by a lack of violence or conflict, and the freedom from fear of violence. For Islam and Christianity however, peace is more than this, as it refers also to an overall sense of wellbeing and understanding. The sacred texts of Islam and Christianity, the Qur'an and

It works to create a positive peace through a transformation of conflict. In 1992, United Nations secretary General Boutros-Ghali released his report titled An Agenda for Peace. This document proposed peace building as “Action to identify and solidify peace in order to avoid relapse into conflict,” (Boutros-Ghali 11). While two sides are still in conflict, there is not a chance for communication between sides. Until violent conflict ceases, the two parties will continue to dehumanize one another and decrease the ability to understand one another. However, conflicts cannot always resolve themselves and outside intervention is sometimes needed to avoid a cycle of revenge, which can be a result. “The problem is a well-known bias in human perception, whereby we inflate the value of the wrongs we suffer, and minimize the value of those we ourselves inflict.” (Santa-Barbara 179). Luckily, there are nations such as Canada, with politicians like Lloyd Axworthy, who created the Canadian peace building initiative in 1996. “The initiative suggested a concern for the multidimensional and integrated causes of civil war and thus acknowledged the need to address the economic, social, and political aspects of reconstruction and reconciliation” (Keating 171).

Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K. (2011). Experiencing intercultural communication. (4th ed., pp. 226-227). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.