On September 21, the whole world celebrates the international day for Peace. This past year the United Nation’s designed theme was “Action for Peace: our ambition for the global goals.” There is something transformative about taking a moment to think about what Peace is, what it feels like, and how it impacts the world. Through “Peace You Have My Word,” a writing competition organized by Africa Learning International (ALI), students from international schools in Africa and Europe have put pen to paper to celebrate Peace, Africa, and Antiracism. Each piece of student work shows evidence that education for Peace is a powerful tool to develop self-awareness, poetic appreciation, and critical thinking. It is inspiring to see African and European students countering afro-pessimism as one. Enjoy the enchanting words and the provocative ideas!
-Estelle Baroung Hughes, Founder of Peace You Have My Word competition
Peace
We Africans all come from different cultures that tell deep stories. Our dances, our meals, our sociability and our way of dressing are gold. Often, our cultural differences create conflicts and these conflicts are divisive. It is because of these divisions that we lose our roots, our cultural values and our cultural histories are distorted. In this world where it is difficult to live a life of peace, let us show others that our cultures and our cultural values can allow us to live in peace. Let's all respect our cultures, share our cultures, expand our cultures and try to learn from other cultures because they are also a source of joy. Let us show our children that respecting the cultures of others and trying to learn them is a joy for them.
And if we walk together, seek peace, enhance our cultures and continue to help each other in order to live the peace that we must live. We can also teach the future generation that peace has made us happy and allowed us never to lose our values and cultural attitudes so they too must work to maintain peace. Respect for each culture, each man and each African country can also help maintain peace. Each African culture makes peace and this peace is a peace that will last a very long time and will remain forever in our hearts.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Sarah Zoungrana is a 14-years-old student at Enko Ouaga in Burkina Faso.
