3 Steps For Building A More Peaceful World
- Mar 25, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 9, 2022
Written by: Kawtar El Alaoui, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We thought Europe was beyond war. After the Second World War, Europe vowed: “never again”. And yet, here it is again. Many people are asking what happened, and what we can do to help.
Promises are not actions
We are witnessing the devastating impact of war, and it is impacting all of us. I live in Canada, where there is a large population of Ukrainian descent. It makes the conflict a step closer when we hear from people who have relatives trying to escape.
It’s heartbreaking to watch the videos, to hear the news of mothers fleeing with children. Of families ripped apart. Seeing posts from Europe where employees honour their fallen Ukrainian colleagues. The cost of war is expensive, in every way. But not for everyone.
How do we rescue ourselves from the grip of war and violent conflict? How do we rescue the world from nuclear threats? How do we rescue Ukraine from the assault by Russia?
These are some important questions and are very relevant at this time. But is rescuing really the answer?
Rescuing has a sense of reactivity. Of damage control. It has the quality of fragmentation.
Perhaps the most difficult part of it is feeling unable to do anything about it. Feeling the anxiety, fear, and the sense of powerlessness in face of assault, senseless violence, and human suffering.
Does this mean we need to do nothing? Of course not.
How do we break the cycle?
We are ALL a part of the solution. How? By cultivating the skills and presence necessary to break the cycle of violence. Without the practical tools to process the emotions caused by violence, we are often trapped in the cycle indefinitely.
Learn from experts
Dr. Scilla Elworthy¹ is an expert in conflict transformation. She has dedicated her life to working in peacebuilding and transforming conflict. She was nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in developing effective dialogue between nuclear weapon policymakers worldwide and their critics.
Following many years of working to influence policy, Dr. Elworthy came to the realization that we need to not only fight a war but to create infrastructures for Peace. She started Peace Direct aimed at supporting grassroots peacebuilding initiatives worldwide. And more recently, Dr. Elworthy began the work of bringing the necessary skills to create a world without violent conflict to everyone.
Shift from reacting to war to building peace
Dr. Elworthy’s new book, The Mighty Heart* in Action, is a guide for everyone wanting to turn the anger and fear which are rampant today into productive action for peace. We have been working with visionary organizations to bring peace into their day to day while supporting the mission and vision of peacebuilding. In working at multiple levels, we are creating a groundswell of people from all sectors who believe a world without violent conflict is possible, and action is necessary.
Get the tools to interrupt the cycle in your day today
The Mighty Heart follows a ten-module structure that supports people to transform whichever conflict or crisis they face be that at a personal, community, or international level. From deep listening and compassionate communication to cleaning anger and developing presence, these essential skills are based around one thing: the expansion of the heart.
The online course will help you connect your skills to your passions and provide the skills to take an effective stand on the issues closest to your heart.
The next Mighty Heart Course begins on April 26th. We are holding a taster session for those feeling called to join the vision and mission for building infrastructures for peace.
As a facilitator with The Business Plan for Peace, I will be delivering the session on Taming Your Inner Critic. Imagine what you are capable of when you become more powerful than your inner critic?
Do you feel called to join personally, or bring the Mighty Heart to your organization?
Register here and join us, live with Dr. Elworthy, on Friday, March 31, 2022, at 6 PM BST.
*The Mighty Heart course is a product of the Business Plan for Peace.
The attached image is the intellectual property of the Business Plan for Peace.
Kawtar El Alaoui, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kawtar El Alaoui. LL. B, PCC is a thought leader, global conscious leadership coach, facilitator and mentor. Her work redefines leadership from the inside out and enables leaders and teams to reach their highest potential. Kawtar’s conscious leadership model weaves self-awareness, conscious communication and collaboration, conflict transformation, social equity, trauma-informed relating, and values-driven decision making.
She is the Founder and CEO of Conscious Togetherness, Inc.
Kawtar is Faculty and Mentor with Leadership That Works India, Facilitator with the Business Plan for Peace in the UK, and Leadership Advisor with She Did It! Ell a osé! In Canada.
Reference:
[1] Dr. Scilla Elworthy, The Mighty Heart In Action, (London: Pureprint Group, 2022), 224.
