Inspired 
by the United Nations International Day of Peace which is observed on the 21st September, The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Malawi, hosted a roundtable conversation on the theme of World peace.
The participants included representatives from the Civic Office, Irish Embassy, University of Lilongwe, the Baha’i community and the Media.
The conversation was initiated with individual reflection on the definition of peace. The interconnectedness of peace, spirituality and prosperity of individuals, families, communities, countries and the world was a clear thread in the discussions.
It was appreciated that individual transformation, where one actively endeavours to eliminate all forms of prejudice, (such as ethnic, gender, socio-economic) truly embrace the oneness of humanity and celebrate our diversity is seen as a fundamental aspect in establishing world peace. Examples of our approaches to gender equality in families, participation in violence seen in situations of ‘mob justice’, protests, elections etc were shared to emphasise this. Transformation of an individual leads to transformation of families, communities, nations and the entire globe.
Another essential element discussed was that material and spiritual education should be given equal importance from childhood, ensuring that our children and youth are nurtured and flourish in environments that can be described as peaceful.
It was shared that community endeavours promoted by the Baha’i Faith, such as devotional meetings, children classes, junior youth spiritual empowerment programme married with social action based on the realities of our localities, have been shown to directly impact the community building processes that aids in the ongoing efforts of establishment of peace at the grassroots level.
It was learnt that government of Malawi has new department, the Ministry of Unity, whose mandate is to promote discourses that foster peace and unity.
The Roundtable discussion was a space that allowed reflection on this theme with a challenge to all participants and prospective audience to continue these conversations with their families and communities so that together we can manifest characteristics and deeds that will lead to peaceful and united society.
Link to the broadcast: https://fb.watch/nlAV3gdMPo/?mibextid=GpiG5r
Link to UN page: https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace
