In late 2018, the young fellows of Rondine Cittadella della Pace launched a
global campaign on peace education and human rights called “Leaders for
Peace.” The campaign calls on world leaders to invest more in the education
of a new generation of young peace leaders. It is supported by the
governments of Italy, Costa Rica, Monaco, and Pope Francis, as well as
several local governments and civil society actors.
Today, Rondine and its international fellows aim to relaunch the campaign
and its message through a series of op-ed articles that reflect on peace
education and the UN’s Agenda 2030: “Leaders for Peace Voices.”
Day after day, we are reminded that no country can solve today’s unprecedented challenges alone. As the world gears up for the Summit of the Future (September 20-23, 2024), we face a critical juncture in human history. Global cooperation is more urgent than ever, yet we are confronted with outdated structures and deep-seated mistrust that impede our progress. The summit presents an opportunity to redefine how we approach international peace and security, mainly through preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding efforts. In this context, the Leaders for Peace campaign offers a vital perspective on transforming conflict into peaceful coexistence rooted in human development.
At Rondine Cittadella della Pace, young people from conflict-ridden regions have found a way to bridge historical divides. Through the Rondine Method, we have learned that the “enemy” is a global fallacy, a destructive narrative perpetuating violence cycles. This method has taught us that we can transform conflicts into social and human development opportunities by unmasking this fallacy and fostering mutual trust. Now, as the world prepares to agree on a Pact for the Future, it is time for this approach to be integrated into global governance.
The Summit of the Future covers several critical issues, from sustainable development to international peace and security. Still, its success hinges on a renewed multilateral system that reflects the needs of today’s world. Central to this is the prevention of conflict, which aligns with the objectives of the Leaders for Peace campaign. To move from crisis to cooperation, we must shift our focus from reactive military solutions to proactive peace education. We can break the cycles of violence before they take root by embedding the principles of human rights and conflict transformation into national education systems, as proposed in the Rondine Method.
Education, particularly in conflict transformation, must become a core element of global governance. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to education. Still, now it must be expanded to include peace education that equips young people to address and prevent conflicts. This aligns directly with the Summit of the Future’s focus on future generations and how we can safeguard their prospects for peace.
Furthermore, the summit’s emphasis on strengthening preventive diplomacy and mediation mechanisms is closely aligned with the Leaders for Peace vision of global peace leaders. Rondine’s goal to train 200 global peace leaders over the decade complements the summit’s call for increased national and international efforts to prevent and manage conflicts when they arise. These peace leaders, armed with the skills of conflict transformation, can act as mediators, helping foster social, political, and economic relations based on cooperation rather than division.
Investing in such initiatives should be a priority for member states attending the summit. A symbolic contribution from their defense budgets toward the education and training of global peace leaders can yield long-term benefits. A world where peace leaders replace military intervention is one where human rights are upheld, development opportunities are widespread, and the logic of the enemy is relegated to history.
The Summit of the Future offers the international community a unique chance to commit to peace in a way that goes beyond rhetoric. It is a platform to make peace education, preventive diplomacy, and human rights the foundation of our global governance structures. As Leaders for Peace, we call on global leaders to seize this moment and integrate the Rondine Method into their international peace and security strategies. The future of global cooperation depends on it.
Now is the time to take bold steps. The future is calling, and the choice is clear: invest in peace and in the leaders who will guide us to a future free from war.
Author: Nnaemeka Phil Eke-okocha
With a dynamic background spanning grassroots activism to global advocacy, Nnemeka Phil Eke-Okocha is a passionate advocate for sustainable development and peacebuilding. As a Project Lead at U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Youth and Founder/Director of Adesso Development Initiative, he spearheads initiatives empowering youth and fostering inclusive societies. His work, spanning continents from Nigeria to Italy, Nepal, and the United States, reflects a commitment to driving positive change. Holding a Master’s degree in Conflict Management and Humanitarian Action, he blends practical experience with academic insight. He is a former fellow (“Rondine d’Oro”) of the World House Program, Rondine Cittadella della Pace (Italy).
