By Vanessa Cort
JUST over a week ago, the world marked, for the first time, the International Day of Peaceful Co-existence.
Given the upheaval and unprecedented turmoil in the world today at every level, this concept is one we should seek to put into practice as a matter of great urgency
For peaceful co-existence is defined as “the ability of diverse nations, cultures or groups with opposing ideologies to live together harmoniously without resorting to war or violent conflict. It promoted mutual respect, tolerance…”
At the level of the individual, gender-based abuse, sexual harassment, domestic violence and the increasingly widespread use of lethal weapons to solve disputes reveal a concerning lack of restraint and grave intolerance.
Domestic violence, crossing social, cultural and ethnic boundaries, still plagues the world.
Sexual misconduct and human trafficking continue to leave a trail of physical and mental distress that remains with victims for the rest of their lives.
The current Jeffrey Epstein case in the US, of the sexual trafficking of young women on a massive scale for the pleasure of rich and powerful men, is a prime example of the ‘severe repercussions of gender exploitative practices.
Guns are being used against or by children in horrific shootings, in drive-by killings, robberies and even disputes among neighbours and friends
Societies are being ripped apart by ethnic grievances, which have led to genocide in various parts of the world. Cultural divides seem more and more difficult to bridge and prejudice has given rise to protests and violent demonstrations or simmers uneasily beneath the surface in many countries
There have been umpteen examples of racial discrimination sparking national and international outrage, some captured on film and going viral, such as the killing of African American George Floyd by a white police officer five years ago.
Worst of all, wars and armed conflict have turned too many countries into bloody battlefields, with a mounting body count, millions displaced and widespread destruction.
There are over 170 active armed conflicts taking place across the globe and every indication that these are worsening.
Right on our doorstep, our Venezuelan neighbours have been threatening to invade, claiming two-thirds of our country and challenging our territorial integrity.
An AI Overview states that, “In 2026 the world is experiencing heightened instability…Major intensifying conflicts include the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Palestine crisis and civil wars in Sudan, Myanmar and Syria”.
Additionally, Israel has been accused of genocide of the Palestinian people and of causing a humanitarian crisis where, particularly children, have been dying of starvation.
The International Day of Peaceful Co-existence, proclaimed by the UN in March last year, aims at encouraging greater” dialogue, participation and inclusion” at all levels of society, promoting peace and justice.
It emphasises the importance of living together, fostering tolerance and respect for one another, which, to my mind, must begin with our individual interactions.
As Wayne Dyer, a renowned American motivational speaker and psychologist, said, “Conflict cannot survive without your participation”.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
