11 Days of Global Unity: Peace-Plan It

By Dot Maver

 “If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationship – the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together and work together in the same world, at peace.”   President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

 Have you ever walked down a familiar street and noticed something ‘new’ … a bakery, a dry cleaner, a restaurant … only to realize later that it has been there for the past two years?  We have a tendency to see only that upon which we are focused and used to seeing.

The good news in 2012 is that humanity is ‘seeing’ issues of human rights as priorities.

In fact, we are asking the question, thanks to Ambassador Anwaral Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary and High Representative of the UN: Is Peace A Human Right?

Every time humanity asks a big question, major transformation occurs. While this may seem to take a long time, we can see clearly the pattern with one example in the USA alone. There was a time when the big question was whether women should have the right to vote. The Suffragette movement helped provide the answer.

A significant document of our time is the Earth Charter. Developed by representatives from around the world this Charter describes principles and values for humanity to live by as one global family sharing responsibility for the health, well-being and sustainability of Earth – the planet we all call home. It is a plan for peace.

The definition of peace in the Earth Charter speaks directly to taking shared responsibility … “peace is the wholeness created by right relationship with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part.”

One of our greatest challenges is to learn to think, to truly tap the realm of ideas and intuition, as humanity makes the shift from solar plexus to heart, experiencing an expansion of consciousness and becoming fully aware that indeed we are one human family. As we realize this essential truth, we will learn to plan wisely based on what is best for the common good.

Humanity is grappling with so many issues at this time of ‘all systems breakdown,’ yet there is a serious piece of good news that may not be immediately evident: we, as a human family, are focusing together on the major issues of our times, including climate change, world hunger, gender equity and more. Herein is hope for a plan that will address the needs of everyone.

There is a new story emerging …we are learning to live from inside out – making decisions and taking action based on inner core values. Ultimately, this will prove to be a turning point for humanity as we move through the present crisis by taking personal responsibility in transforming the existing systems.

You are invited to Take The Pledge! I will take actions for peace in 2012.www.pledge4peace.org