But I also believe more strongly than ever in the need for our work and in the value of constructive conflict resolution. We all have choices to make. Each of us can make a conscious decision about whether to help perpetuate the culture of violence by being complacent, abdicating our responsibility, behaving disrespectfully in our personal and professional lives and not supporting preventive and interventive work. Or each of us can make the choice to confront the culture of violence and to contribute to building a culture of peace - in whatever small way. It starts with self, and we can all make a difference.
Violence is easy.
No real skill is needed to pick up a knife, hijack a car, go on a shooting spree, throw a pipe bomb, batter a wife and child, rape, murder, or abuse with words. But the way of peacebuilding is much more difficult. There is no time or capacity for spoon feeding. Cultures of constructive conflict resolution need to be cultivated in organisations, institutions and homes - to become part of the way things are done. With this entitlement comes the responsibility to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves.