Sandra:

I have recently been thinking about what it is that we want for our people, generally.  It would be good for me if I had the time to read some things on development, etc., 

I think generally our leaders political, religious, business, academic etc. still do not see human dignity and worth as an important foundation of they do. (Thats why I am happy to be in a profession which promotes HD&W as a basic tenet) Peace, when looked at as a requirement for this promotion of human dignity and worth is so much wider than just the absence of war - 

It must be that peace describes the state of mind of a people, their love and respect for self and others.  I think this will happen generally when people feel their lives are important in the plan of things - that their views and feelings matter - that they are included when it comes to social amenities, full access to employment (despite their address), recreation, freedom to move about, without fearing criminals or state armed forces, etc.  

I might sound a little 'preachy' here, and we may not reach this ideal state.  but I at least would like to see us as a nation begin to plan for peace.  We need a break.  There are simply too many areas which are virtual accelerants for violence - (like kerosene to fire). We continue to chase gainful employment like a dog to its tail - one wonders whether successive governments are serious about reducing the levels of idleness in our youth.  We are a nation blessed with extremely gifted and talented youth -- how are we harnessing this?

How are we helping our parents to see home and family as a peace promoting zone - zero tolerance for any form of violence, but still having a firm and strong hand with the required discipline!

My musings

promoting peace....

Linda Craigie Brown.

What is Peace?  It is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as calmness, tranquility, serenity, inner peace or peace of mind.  It is merely the absence of war and hatred, but also the presence of cooperation, compassion and worldwide justice.

How can we achieve Peace?   First, we must find inner peace within ourselves before we can share it.  The inner peace starts it's formation before the  birth of the child, through the emotional state of the mother.  The process of nurturing the child by parents or caregivers for the first six years will determine the level of inner peace that the child may choose to use for the rest of his/her life.

  Studies have proved that, a child that was bonded with parents in an non-violent environment will learn to trust others.  He/she is loving, caring and willing to share with others and has high self-esteem.   There is evidence of inner peace displayed through happiness with self and others.

The opposite  is also true for the child who was not grown with biological parents, but rather supervised by multiple caregivers for the first six years of life.  The child may become confused, develop detachment for parents, distrust and display antisocial behaviours. 

How can we help our child who are detached physically and emotionally detached from their parents.

Pauline Brown                                                                                                                            Social Worker BSc., Project Design Implementation & Management  Dip.