Oh Conscience... Wake Up

Humanity Is in Danger!

Exclusive: Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

In a world immersed in fleeting glories, hate speech, violence, hostility, and discrimination... amidst all the noise surrounding humanity due to endless wars, conflicts, and crises, the efforts to achieve change remain unclear in the face of the tragedies witnessed around the world. Human rights have been stripped away, and human dignity is lost!

Where is the human conscience today? When will it wake up from its coma? And is there anyone listening to the pain and suffering of humanity?

The will to live is the strongest! This is what many personalities, decision-makers, and human rights parties say... But is the will to live truly the strongest in the absence of laws and legislation that protect humans and ensure their future?

Many questions may sound the alarm today! Humanity is in dire need of a ray of hope towards the safe haven... a place where the values of love, dialogue, and peace are sowed under mutual respect among all brothers and sisters on the planet earth.

Hence, the International Day of Conscience, which the United Nations has recognized on its international calendar on April 5th of each year, comes as a reminder of the need to develop efforts to achieve tolerance and peace worldwide, to affirm the respect for human rights in all areas, and to enhance sustainable development.

For its part, the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), through its various programs and activities in the region, seeks to work collaboratively for humanitarian and societal service in line with human principles, as well as working towards achieving justice and defending human rights to enable people to live in freedom, equality, and peace.

A Journey of Work for Peace

The International Day of Conscience reminds us of the importance of establishing a culture of peace among all the people of the world. Many efforts along this path began decades ago in hopes that humans would live in a world filled with stability and security. The focus here is not on the fruits of these efforts, but on some initiatives to achieve peace that gained momentum, especially in 1989 during the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) International Conference held in Côte d'Ivoire under the theme "Peace in the Minds of Men." What stood out in this historic conference was the global dialogue that started to integrate the concepts of peace into our daily lives.

In 1999, the United Nations solidified this vision by issuing the " Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace," which presented practical steps aimed at building communities where peace prevails. This declaration focuses on education for peace through teaching conflict resolution skills, fostering empathy, and promoting global citizenship, as well as economic and social development through reducing inequalities that might lead to social tensions.

The declaration also urges action to protect human rights and dignity, as well as ensuring gender equality by empowering women and providing equal opportunities for all. Additionally, it emphasizes democratic participation, encouraging everyone to be involved in shaping their communities, as well as promoting tolerance and solidarity by enhancing respect and understanding. Not to forget, it stresses the importance of freedom of communication and achieving international peace and security.

Aspirations and Horizons

As the modern world progresses with new global technologies and practices, the United Nations presents some aspirations to solidify its vision and strategies for a peaceful world. It has explained that the future will focus on employing modern technologies and innovating new educational methods to enhance the culture of peace. Digital tools and internet platforms have thus become essential in highlighting the principles of peace in a more engaging and accessible way.

The United Nations believes that achieving peace requires collective efforts, leading to better exchange of practices and unified resources, which allows for more productive implementation of initiatives. It emphasizes that peacebuilding requires adopting comprehensive solutions that are fundamental to sustainability, social justice, and shared progress, especially in a world facing emerging challenges such as climate change, economic inequality, and the spread of misinformation. Failure to address these challenges lead to conflict and disputes.

In truth, the United Nations' vision for establishing a culture of peace calls on all the Earth's inhabitants to celebrate the richness of diversity and take responsibility in building a better world. However, the path to peace is long, given the dangerous fluctuations and developments the world is witnessing. So, when will humanity see the fruits of international efforts? And where are the international leaders in the face of the bitter reality experienced by human beings?

There is no answer, but rather questions that we pose to those concerned!