Embracing Peace and Harmony in a Digitized World
(Original)

Glendon Kok Jun Wei
(Age 15, Singapore)
Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section)

With the advent of the digital age, our societal structures have become increasingly intricate, bringing mass communication to new echelons of sophistry. With the general public beleaguered by a barrage of media influences, many individuals are submerged in a flood of ideological influences. Miscreants may exploit mass communication as a medium to propagate adulterated views of a subject, indoctrinating unwary adolescent ‘sponges’ who religiously imbibe a miscellany of profane materials, oblivious to the psychological pitfalls.  Consequentially, many of these individuals have adopted distorted perceptions of reality, pursuing undesirable conventions and practices. Adhering to violent and criminal tendencies, many of these wayward teens have degenerated into felons, languishing in delinquency and decay while forsaking a lifetime of opportunities.  

In view of that situation, the internet and other mass communication devices should be used to inculcate a culture of peace and non-violence in our society. These tools would facilitate the impartation of social mores and moral virtues, allowing readers to gain a better comprehension of moral principles while learning to embrace peace and harmony. They will also advocate non-violence and diplomacy, spreading the peace message across the globe and prompting more individuals to take an active stance against violence. With their support, peace movements would be able to gain both political and financial momentum. Moreover, as members of a society adopt these virtues, belligerence and antagonism would be diminished, fostering greater interactivity amongst the population. Racial and religious differences would eventually be diluted, further strengthening the societal fabric and creating a congenial and accommodative community.

A multimedia online package should be created, through which the members of the public can access peace education materials and enrich themselves with cultural, ethnic and religious knowledge. A website should also be set-up for the facilitation and dissemination of this initiative. Individuals would be able to log onto this website and browse through the web-package, downloading the content into their computers.

The package could be divided into three sections, each of which would be based on a specific theme. The first section would contain material elucidating and emphasizing the concept of peace. It would contain case studies of peace missions worldwide as well as detailed analyses of peace crises past and present. All information will be presented in an engaging and interactive manner through the implementation of multimedia content like movie clips and games. Thus, this section would not only emphasize the importance of peace and harmony but also imprint the consequences of violence into the minds.

The second section will deal with the importance of racial harmony, delving into underlying concepts like racial discrimination and cultural diversity. An online cultural encyclopedia will also be included, featuring articles that are pregnant with detailed explanations about foreign cultures. Its entries would be based on the traditions, cuisine and heritage of a particular culture, providing readers with an insight into its myriad features. Pictures, animations, sound and video-clips will allow them to immerse themselves in a simulated cultural environment, experiencing the sights and sounds of a foreign way of life. They will learn how to play congkak like the Malays, prepare Indian fishhead curry and make Japanese sushi, among with a multitude of other cultural activities. As the adage goes, ‘with knowledge comes understanding’. Cultural comprehension will dispel myths and misconceptions, allowing different races to accept and harmonize inter-racially. That would undoubtedly sow the seeds for a peaceful and harmonious community in which conflict and strife are virtually unknown.

The third section will concentrate on religious harmony, providing religious information for readers all around the world. Articles in this section will cover the practices of religions around the world, along with an explanation of its formation. In view of the terrorist threat across the globe, this initiative would also serve as an online resource for young Muslims who may require religious clarifications. The information posted should be written by a recognized authority on the subject, namely a respected and certified cleric, thus ensuring that the religious material is legitimate. Through this initiative, the Muslim community may be able to counter the threat of self-radicalization, in which youths adopt radical views for want of spiritual guidance and subsequently metamorphose into fanatical terrorists. On a larger scale, this online resource would eliminate misconceptions about the various religions, allowing different religious communities to live together peaceably and harmoniously.

Thus, through these activities, our societies will be empowered to take a stand against violence and conflict, promoting peace and harmony amongst all races and religions. The fetters of 21st century living – intense economic competition, social and class divisions, racial and religious tensions, would be ameliorated with greater interaction, understanding and tolerance amongst our multifarious societies, ensuring a brighter future for mankind.