Wellbeing at the Core: Marking the International Day of Peace

World peace has often been framed solely in terms of ending or mitigating conflict, with governments focused on a combination of diplomacy and defense at a large scale to maintain peaceful conditions. But true and sustainable peace requires not only the absence of violence, but also the conditions for people and communities to thrive. Young people, especially, hold extraordinary potential to shape a more peaceful future.  
This year’s International Day of Peace arrives at a moment when the world is beginning to recognize individual and societal mental health and wellbeing as key fixtures of global, lasting peace. At WorldBeing, we’re especially committed to helping youth build the skills essential to wellbeing — including self-awareness, problem-solving, and empathy. These have personal impact — students with these skills are better able to remain in school, expand their sense of agency, and imagine new possibilities. But they can also have community-wide impact.

Young people who participate in our programs often go on to catalyze change that ripples out into their communities. Whether it's challenging gender norms in education, promoting girls' economic empowerment, or addressing gender-based violence, their impact underscores a vital truth: inner wellbeing is key to global wellbeing.

As we mark the International Day of Peace, it is worth broadening the conversation about what peace looks like, and what it requires. A fuller, more ambitious vision of peace demands looking towards the inner capacities that wellbeing sustains. Building peace on the smallest, most personal scale catalyzes peace in communities, countries, and the wider world.

‍