Summary The conference was an eye-opener and served as an inspiration for me to continue to use education as an instrument of peace. I came away realizing that for real change to occur, it was going to have to be from the bottom up through people power rather than from governments which are tied to vested interests. The major powers in the world are also the ones that supply the world with weapons, thereby fueling the 30-40 wars that occur on a regular basis. It also seems to me that having large established militaries representing nation-states with their national interests will never result in world peace. As long as governments prepare for war, there is likely to be war.
War is also profitable.
Arms manufacturers and dealers always win while children mainly lose. Just in preparing for war, we significantly degrade the environment. We need to imagine peace and actively prepare for it the same way as we prepare for war. If the military system is not abolished, then the human race may be exterminated.