A dialogue on the role of civil society in peacebuilding.
In this book, Kevin P. Clements, one of the world's leading experts in conflict resolution studies, talks with philosopher and Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda on the topic of peace and the role of civil society in this area.
In their conversations, far from academic or theoretical, based on the concrete experiences of the two authors, who have dedicated their lives to peacebuilding, they provide a wealth of examples where it was the actions of ordinary people that transformed social and political situations.
Unusual aspects of the peace-building process emerge that are within the reach not only of diplomats and statesmen but of every person. For example, the importance of "imagining" what the world we would like to live in would look like, or the importance of "conviviality," that is, the pleasure of conversing with people in informal circumstances, such as over a nice lunch, which surprisingly has proved crucial to so many negotiations.
It is a call for everyone and especially for young people to become aware of their own power, because, as Daisaku Ikeda states, "lack of trust in government is observed in every country, but if young people lose interest in politics, society will have no future." And again addressed to young people, but not only, is the two authors' call to take the risk of stepping out of one's comfort zone and opening up to the diversity of others. The conviction of these two great thinkers is that the road to peace will open only when young people work together for a common purpose, united to solve problems across national borders.
"Peace is not something abstract or separate from daily life. We can all do something for peace right there where we are now."
Daisaku Ikeda
"Fear and distrust do not help change. The only way to create a just and peaceful world is to act with the confidence that you want a better future."
Kevin Clements
"Listening sincerely to the problems of a single person, there where we are now, encouraging them and nurturing the hope in their heart is a humble and tenacious effort; it may not be news that will go around the world, it may not go down in the annals of history, but every person who feels a new hope burning in their heart will find the strength to live again, and your action will have been valuable to their life. This is the basis of a solid peace movement firmly rooted in people's hearts. It is my fervent wish that young people first continue to build a network of people who spread joy and revitalization, thus creating a magnificent ray of light for the twenty-first century."
Daisaku Ikeda
