In Pursuit of Peace

Christiana Louisa T
(Age 9, Australia <Living in Indonesia>)
Sekolah Pelita Harapan Bukit Sentul, Bogor

As a nine year old, I find the subject of information and communication technologies not only interesting, but extremely fascinating.

From my own experience, I know that I only have to turn on my television, or browse any one of the many accessible ports of information that are readily available by just turning on my computer, and connecting to the internet.

By doing so, I am reminded of the fact that the media holds great power and has the ability to influence my train of thought, after all, the media not only has the capability to inform, but it, and other communicative resources like it, have the ability to influence our perspective. The way in which the news is told has a major impact on the way that it is absorbed by the minds of the readers or listeners.

Our assumptions are formed from the initial story, and the way in which it is portrayed to us. Knowing that the media welds such great power and has an amazing ability to assist in shaping the minds of today's population, and especially today's youth, whose minds are extremely vulnerable, should we not therefore use this to our advantage and use this mighty power as a tool to promote peace?

Such great potential cannot be wasted. As we are overwhelmed with news of destruction and despair, the time has come to turn the tables, and use communicative and information tools to shed light on issues that will inspire the humanitarian side of today's population to surface.

As I look within myself, I know what inspires me to want to reach out and make an effort to help others. Because the media is in a position where it is able to bring to our attention all manner of events that happen daily in our world, I strongly believe the media, and other available communicative sources, must make the necessary changes to their programming choices in order shift the focus from conflict to peace.

Careful consideration therefore, must be given to programming selections in order for us, the public, to be moved and inspired towards aiming for peace throughout the world and striving towards finding peaceful solutions for the many current ongoing conflicts in the world today.

Imagine, for instance, turning on your television and being greeted with news of a peaceful solution to a conflict that was deemed to be too difficult to resolve peacefully. I have trouble trying to accept the concept that fighting, resulting in bloodshed, or warring of any kind, is a more simple or preferred solution to that of aiming for a peaceful outcome through dialogue or other such means.

The media is in a perfect position to promote peaceful solutions and to remind us that we are all the same, we are after all just human, and living in one world together. Living together harmoniously is not only a choice, but it is the only solution to ensure future generations may dwell together in this world peacefully.

I am so deeply touched when I see the faces of young African children for instance, in their desperation, seemingly hopeless in their fight against famine, sickness and poverty. This distresses me, but at the same time strengthens my resolve to make a difference, however small, to improve the lives of these people.

Today's children, regardless of race, social status or culture, are tomorrow's future, and therefore, the manner in which our hearts and minds are shaped now will have a major impact in our pursuit of a peaceful and harmonious world.

Let us then, start today, let us not waste a moment more. Our voice may only be small if we are alone, but imagine the strength of many of our voices joined together. Let us fight, yes, but not in war, but rather let us fight for peace.

I can make a difference. Why don't you join me?